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Pride Games hailed a success

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A golden run

Sunday, 28 September 2008

Pride Games crossed the finishing line with style in Manchester earlier this month as the LGBT sport festival won many friends and fans.

The Pride Games began with a two day Mountain Biking expedition from Sheffield to Manchester, which was timed to arrive back in Alexandra Park for the Games first ever opening festival. Rapturous applause and cheers greeted the bikers' arrival which signalled the start of the 5k run and the charity fundraising community relays. One contestant even managed to run all three legs of the community relay in three different outfits.

42 families enjoyed the busy family zone, Salford Reds professional rugby players helped many try rugby league, the climbing wall attracted a diverse crowd from the local area and there was great food and coffee by the MooCow Boys, Shaun and Mike.

Sunday evening saw a swim session and Pride Games first ever Scottish Ceilidh (country dancing). Many regular club sport nights were promoted as tasters during Pride Games and a significant increase in new members was reported. Other highlights of the week included orienteering coupled with archery and the Games' 2nd Aquathlon coupled with comical antics. Friday evening was accreditation at AXM and the opening ceremony with dignatories from Trafford was followed by a spectacular firework display.

Super Saturday saw many of the tournaments take place including Pride Games first ever squash tournament, mountain biking event and short course swim event. Sunny Sunday saw the first ever first single circuit 10k run, a Community Health Trainers Parlour, The Co-operative Wheel of Fortune, Line Dancing by Prairie Dogs and a doubled in size Bell Boat Regatta that had to host a separate Youth Games heat because of the number of entries!

After a fantastic week of competition a celebration was needed and the soothing soiree at Arcobaleno in Jackson's Wharf did the trick with live piano music, food and wine. It was the perfect end to a perfect week of golden Pride Games. Congratulations to all who took part – spectators, competitors and organisers. Pride Games, proving it is indeed the taking part that counts.