Local people ran through Marlborough this morning, Friday 7th, carrying a baton containing a message about the climate crisis from young people which will be delivered to world leaders at COP27 in Egypt.
Sam Noble set off at 12.30am and was joined later by resident Damian Hall at Avebury and Emily Scott from the relay's support crew. Both arrived at 6.30am in George Lane car park in Marlborough at the end of stage 137 (there are a total of 177 stages in the UK section) to hand over the baton to Paul Sands and Mark Hedley who then set off to run 10km of the next stage to The Bell at Ramsbury. They are just 4 of thousands of people who are volunteering to run, cycle or sail sections of the whole Running Out of Time Relay through 18 countries to get the baton and the message it contains to COP27 in Egypt starting on the 7th November. It's the world’s longest, non-stop relay ever attempted.
For all the runners, helping to publicise the need for action now to tackle climate change was the main reason for taking part.
Sam said that the end of the night's run, his legs were a little bit creaky and cross with him and he was ready for a lie down but he said "Like a lot of people, I'm frustrated with global governments and their lack of will to make a change" and that the relay was "getting attention, lots of schools have been involved, organisations, local councils, so hopefully it's getting attention and putting pressure on the right people."
Mark Hedley was running stage 138 to represent Marlborough Community Fridge because "It's a great community project as it shares surplus food for free around Marlborough. I wanted to take part in the relay to show support to my fellow volunteers who run the community fridge, and the relay seemed like a fun way to get out the message to the public and to decision makers about the need to tackle climate change now."
What is the relay about?
The aim of the relay is to deliver a message from young people to world leaders, calling for more support, training and resources from governments to help communities tackle climate change where they live as the worst effects of climate change are felt by ordinary people at the grassroots level. You can read the message here. Members of the public are being asked to sign it to show their support and help reach the target of 250,000 signatures.
Why did the relay come through Marlborough?
The relay route passed through Marlborough to highlight the innovative climate action that is taking place in the county. The Marlborough Community Fridge is an outstanding example of the types of projects that the relay message is urging world leaders to support and it's hoped that by showcasing it in the relay, other communities will be inspired to copy it. Marlborough resident, Mark Hedley, said he was running stage 138 specifically to represent the community fridge.
Marlborough Community Fridge redistributes fresh, good quality, in-date food that might otherwise end up in the bin. It's run by volunteers, the food is free, and it's open to and enjoyed by everyone in the local community. It's an exciting partnership project between Marlborough Town Council and volunteer environmental group, Transition Marlborough.
The food placed in the fridge comes from local food retailers, gardeners with excess home-grown produce and unopened, in-date foods from households, too. The fridge is located in a small building behind the toilets in George Lane car park so it's easy for anyone to get to and help themselves. The fridge is open 9-10.30am every Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
More information about the project here.