Day 6: Shrewsbury to Oxford, England

Today marked another beautiful day of running across English countryside for safe drinking water.

Victor blazes through the English countryside

Team Yellow began at 9:00 a.m. GMT, going southeast toward London. The Dutch are known for their punctuality, and today was no exception as Rudy jogged to the exchange point with arms raised high in a move now known as “The Rudy.” He passed the baton off to Melissa from Team Blue, who took it (relatively) easy today, running only five miles so she could catch a train to London to meet up with an old chum. Her mates on Team Blue were more than happy to pick up the extra miles. A photographer from the Stratford Observer turned up at a roadside exchange point and snapped a few of Taeko and Victor exchanging the baton. After finishing their legs, Team Blue then departed for the ferry to Calais, France, where they would pick up the Run.

Melissa leaves Exchange Pt. 63 Cross Houses, UK

Jason Loutitt of Team Green, who donned a red cap, gloves, reflective wraparound sunglasses and his Blue Planet Run shirt, was the next to carry the baton eastward through bucolic England. At the next exchange point, Simon Isaacs, the Blue Planet Run cheerleader, rounded up several patrons to help applaud Jason’s arrival and Dot Helling’s departure. Night had fallen by the time Jason and Dot read the speech, bringing a gust of cold air, but it would take more than a chill to defeat Dot’s spirit.

Richard and Victor at Exchange Point 66

Ecstatic was the reception at Oxford, the final exchange point of the day. Team Green (minus Dot) drove into town at 10:48 p.m. GMT and was greeted by the inflatable Blue Planet Run arch and LED screen, with the Blue Planet Run video already fired up. Simon Isaacs and Laura got right to work, passing out stickers, recruiting passersby to take Clickit photos under the arch and talking up the Blue Planet Run. Many Oxford students were game to pose for Clickit photos and discuss safe drinking water. The excitement created should continue on to the London exchange point tomorrow, where Scottish runner Paul Rogan will be running into Trafalgar Square at 9:00 a.m. GMT with his 13-year-old daughter, Kirstie.

Simon leaves Exchange Point in Oxford