Caden Boon, 10, joined the RED Community for RED January in support of the charity MIND at Bideford’s Victoria Park, North Devon, as part of his second year of running throughout the month. He participated in the weekly adult running event, with the goal of challenging his personal best and succeeded.
Mum, Michelle Boon told Ray Goldsmith: “He came 12th out of 139 adults and several other youngsters today despite running every day this week. He also plans to run a cross country race tomorrow, Sunday, and will continue running after school during the remainder of January and to attend the growing list of other running events he continues to be invited to. On other days he will also be swimming and playing rugby. He sometimes runs with his sister Lexie Rae Boon.”
Caden came in first at the finals of the under 11s Gliddon & Squires North Devon Cross country league run putting him second in the league and winning him a trophy. Christopher Oliveira, 12, came first overall for the 4th year running with maximum points across all 4 years and won for the under 13s category. Both athletes also received first place medals for North Devon Championships and Christopher received a trophy on behalf of North Devon Athletics Club.
Role model
Regular park run participant and school teacher Danny Nicols, said: “Caden is an absolute role model. He’s run every day this week, covering about 30 KM and has improved his personal 5K best by five minutes from 27 minutes to under 22, which any adult runner would be very pleased with. Apart from that he’s raising money for an excellent cause. He’s inspired many other young people too.” Danny runs for Bideford Just Jog, who fully support Caden.
Michelle continued: “To mix things up a bit and to raise more awareness for MIND, Caden decided it would be really good if he could run with as many different runners as possible during the month and link them on Facebook and Instagram.
Mind’s Red January
“As a REDer, his fitness and fundraising efforts combined with people’s generosity will help continue Minds life-changing work, ensuring no-one has to face a mental health problem alone.
“Mental health issues are particularly important to my children, having been aware of family who have struggled for many years.
Danny and Caden Caden and Steve Cram Caden and Christopher with theirmedals Caden and Christopher in their sponsor’s hoodies
“When he was nine years old Caden decided to take up running after being encouraged by his then form teacher. Since then signed up for local running club Bideford Blues, the Gliddon & Squires North Devon Cross country league, and joined the Charles Stanley Westward Cross country league, where again he’s second with two further races left, on 16 February in Redruth and 1 March in Stover. It’s not likely he’ll be satisfied with second place though. He’s very determined. Caden is also a member of England athletics.
“He’s also just been sponsored by Gemma Keating Sports Massage Therapist of Barnstaple and had the support of runners from Bideford athletics club and North Devon athletics club, the Fremington Trailblazers, sports centre 1610 Torridge pool have offered him the use of their treadmill too, as well as support from Ben Cox Coaching, the physio Crew and Platform Gym. He even met up with world record setting runner Steve Cram at an NEC event in Birmingham recently Cram, before taking a run at home.”
Caden said: “Thank you to Danny today and Just Jog for supporting me and to everyone for their ongoing support. If anyone would like to run with me during January please get in touch via Facebook or my JustGiving page.”
See Caden’s impressive January schedule on his JustGiving and Instagram pages.
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