Easter Bank Holiday Monday 2021
The tragic death of Sergeant Matt Ratana
Met
Police Sergeant Matt Ratana was tragically shot dead in September 2020 at a police
custody in Croydon by a detainee while Sgt Ratana was preparing to search the
suspect who had been arrested on suspicion of intent to supply drugs and
possession of ammunition.
The Matt Ratana 10k
Following Sgt Ratana’s death, his good friend and colleague at the Met Police Paul Hollis who is a keen runner wanted to do something to show support to Matt’s widow Sue and their daughter. Paul wanted to organise a running event to raise money for Sue. With the COVID-19 lockdown restrictions are still very much in place, Paul decided the only option was to organise a virtual event called “The Ratana 10K”. At first, Paul’s target was about 300 Met Police Officers and Police Staff to raise about £5,000. The interest and support have exceeded all Paul’s expectation. After the overwhelmingly successful first event at the end of 2020, Paul decided to make this an annual event with the 2nd one fixed during the month of April 2021. So far, there are already over 3,000 people who have entered or have expressed interest to take part and more than £40,000 has been raised and the donation money still keeps coming through.
How I got involved
I received an email from our Comets Road Running Club Chair Alan Johnson asking our club members whether we’d be interested in taking part. Having been with the Met Police family for 15 years, I’d love to lend my support to this meaningful cause.
The registration was very easy and smooth. I clicked the link Alan had provided (https://ratana10k.com), entered my contact details, selected the style (the choice of t-shirt or vest) and size of the running top, paid £25 entry fee and clicked submit.
My vest and medal arrived through the post at the end of March. The vest is of high quality quick dry fabric with “The Ratana 10K 2021 printed on the front and the Police Thin Blue Line printed at the back. The medal is very solid and heavy with “The Matt Ratana” engraved on it. Since Sgt Ratana was a keen Rugby Player and a Rugby Coach, the donation for this event will be split between the Rugby Foundation charity and Matt’s widow.
My 1st ever Virtual Running Event
Back in October 2020, John and I took part in the Royal Air Force (RAF) Walking & Marching Association’s Virtual Walk event. But this was the 1st time I took part in a Virtual Running event. I chose the Easter Bank Holiday Monday to do it. It was a very cold morning and it felt like February more than April. I chose to run from home to Oakhill Park as I worked it out from home to Oakhill Park is one and half miles then following the Park Run 5k route and another 1.5 miles back home to make up just about 10k in total.
I have been training for the Milton Keynes Marathon which is supposed to take place on the Bank Holiday Monday on 3rd May but I am still awaiting the final confirmation from the organiser on 12th April whether or not they can get the approval from the Milton Keynes local council to go ahead. If not, they will have to postpone to the end of September as by then, hopefully, the lockdown will be all lifted. I could only keep my pace sub-11-minute mile as this is my marathon pace. I couldn’t lift my legs to run sub-10-minute mile no matter how hard I tried. There are 3 laps inside the Oakhill Park which also means 3 times to climb that “hill”. Each time I was ascending, the wind was blowing towards me. Then I saw “white powder” flowing in the air. At first, I thought I was suffering from retina floaters disease. Then I realised it was snowing. I didn’t expect the weather today was so cold and windy otherwise I could have done it yesterday but yesterday I hosted an Easter lunch with my 2 sisters at the back garden first time in 4 months since the current lockdown imposed in December last year. Yesterday, the weather was nice and sunny with about 14oC but today the weather dropped to only 4oC. I finished in 1:05’35” as my legs felt wobbly towards the end.
Reflection
A lot of reflection during my run. Policing work is risky and dangerous. Be vigilant and stay safe to our Police guys and girls out there. I am so honoured to be a tiny part of this cause.
RIP Sergeant Ratana!