Staff News

Altis Gazelles Raise $2053 for Cancer Council NSW - May 2008

It was 5.30am on a cold, windy and generally miserable autumn morning on Sunday 18th May 2008. Most of Sydney were enjoying their warm beds, clutching their teddies/ partners/security blankets - with no inclination of rising any time soon.

At the very same time three brave soles from Altis, Mythili, Elliot and Charlie, the self styled Altis Gazelles were fresh out of bed and readying themselves for the biggest run of their lives - The Sydney Half Marathon. An opportunity to raise money for The Cancer Council of NSW through the kind sponsorship of friends and colleagues.

A quick team photo at the Sydney office got things underway before the Gazelles trotted through Hyde Park to the starting line. A hasty weaving and ducking manoeuvre brought the team through the sea of competitors and to the middle of the pack. At this point it came to mind that sticking out in a crowd of super-fit athletes was a great way of drawing attention to us... and our branding!

The ten minute count-down seamed like an eternity and then we were off!

On bend #1 we were given a reminder of the dangers of such a race and our own mortality, as a female competitor lost her footing metres in front of us and
tumbled head first to the ground with a thud followed by an 'Oooooooo!' from onlookers. In true Altis style we were quick to run to her aid and check that
she was alright before striding on.

The first 8 - 10 kilometers were spent at cruise speed, soaking up the atmosphere that a crisp autumn morning in Sydney provides and feeling great to be alive. The next 11km did not feature the atmosphere so much with the Gazelles focusing on keeping the engines running - getting one leg in front of the other and blocking out the pain to the knees, ankles and feet that every step delivered.

In the end the Altis Gazelles prevailed and ran across the finish line together in 2 hr and 15 min.

As a result of their finish the Gazelles have raised $2053 for the The Cancer Council of NSW - great work and a big thanks to all our sponsors!

Article written by Charlie