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Orkney’s Aly Kemp is clutching a dream bronze medal thanks to the friendly spirit of the Island Games shining through, with support from local retailer Fletcher Sports and trainer manufacturer On.
Kemp had been unsure about racing in the 10,000m, but with the prospect of waiting all week before her preferred half marathon she decided to toe the line.
It was a decision that led to frantic checking of the rulebook on shoes after a chance comment at the Opening Ceremony on Saturday, then a hopeful Sunday morning Facebook message to Fletcher Sports, and thanks to their work a free pair of On trainers that she will now not let go after they helped propel her round the Footes Lane track that same night in a time that knocked a massive 2 min 40s off her PB.
Pictured: Aly Kemp on her way to bronze in Sunday's 10,000m.
Kemp travelled to Guernsey with her husband Stephen, son Charlie, 11, and daughter Pippa, 4.
It was not that long ago that the Island Games was not even on the radar.
She qualified last year the Harray Half Marathon in Orkney.
“It was a surprise in itself. I didn't have a coach or anything at the time. I've always loved running, I just have always done it for the enjoyment of doing it.”
They thought long and hard about making the trip.
“We just decided, you know what, we're going to come to Guernsey and we're just going to come with the kids and make it a bit of a holiday and it'll be a bonus that I'll be able to run while I'm here as part of the Games. I felt so privileged.”
They booked self catering accommodation at The Bay apartments at Pembroke.
Earlier this year she ran a qualifying time in the 10K, but on the road.
She has done little speed work over the winter and no training on the track.
Pictured: Aly Kemp with her bronze medal and all important On trainers.
“I really wasn't sure whether it would be something that I should go for, or should I really focus on the half marathon that was obviously going to be the race that we were here for initially.”
It was late on Saturday evening at the Opening Ceremony when a few people asked whether she was going to race the 10,000m and whether she had brought any spikes.
She had been told by her coach that the trainers she had with her would be fine for the track, but wanted to double check.
Stephen began reading the rules about the depth a sole on the trainer can be for endurance track races.
There is an approved World Athletics list that the shoe has to be on to be legal to run in.
Her trainers were not on it and the stack was too high.
They quickly googled sports shops and found Fletcher Sports, but it does not open on a Sunday.
“Stephen actually messaged them on Facebook. Kai amazingly came in and met us on Sunday morning before the race and we found shoes that were on the list that fitted what I thought was pretty good, On Running, my favorite brand, I love them, I have four pairs.”
The first time she ran in them was at 17:00 when the 10,000m got under way.
“We finished the race and I medalled in them and I could not believe it. It was like a dream come true.”
She ran 37:26, obliterating her just 40:06 PB.
Kemp has never run on a track, she was wearing new shoes, and all her kit was new including some thin socks she had brought at Edinburgh airport.
It breaks every bit of advice runners are told to follow.
“But you know what, it worked. So anybody who's not sure about wearing new items for the race, don't always write it off.”
She had to survive the nervousness of being called back by the officials after a complaint was put in by another team about the shoes, but that challenge was ruled out.
“Just as a family, the emotion, the adrenaline, everything has just been incredible.”
Pictured: Aly Kemp is flying the flag for Orkney at the Island Games.
On has agreed to cover the cost of the trainers after a request by Fletchers' owner Terry Ferbrache.
Fletchers has a long association with the Island Games, sponsoring the athletics competition when Guernsey first hosted in 1987 when it was on the cinder track at Footes Lane.
Mr Ferbrache spoke to the On sales manager in the UK to explain that the Island Games was known as the friendly Games and they agreed to sponsor the shoes in that light.
“As we all know, we're going to Orkney in a few years time and so what better way to get this all off the ground? It’s really a way to build up on the friendship side of it,” he said.
Comparing 2023 with 1987, he said the Games had come on leaps and bounds.
“I think the first time probably we weren't quite ready for it,” he said.
“Then the second time [2003] we were much, much more ready. I think this time we've surpassed that. The general public have embraced it, the opening ceremony, the throngs along the Front were fantastic. It's a friendly Games and all we wanted to do is just have a friendly gesture for Orkney and if we ever go up there we'll only have to look Aly and her family up.”
Orkney runner Aly Kemp talks to Nick Mann about her journey to Guernsey, and her new trainers.
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