Run Through The (Urban) Jungle with The Great Gorilla Run!

I was talking yesterday about how events at this time of year have a tendency to catch up on me unawares. I only realised that this is Wool Week after a timely and unrelated reminder from one of my Twitter followers. But how on Earth did I let this year's Great Gorilla Run pass me by?

For those of you who don't know about this extraordinary event: The Great Gorilla Run is a charity fun-run, which tracks a course through Central London and takes place in late September. Why Gorilla? Well, it's a way of raising funds and awareness for organisations helping to protect the dwindling gorilla population in Africa and beyond--it's estimated that there are only 800 of the hairy beasties left in the wild. But what makes the Great Gorilla Run most noteworthy is the dress code. If you want to take part, you have to be prepared to make the effort and go ape.

This year's run took place on the 20th September, and has to date raised over £70,000 for its chosen charities. The runners took on an 8km course that took in sights like Tower Bridge, St. Paul's Cathedral and The Shard... not that I'd imagine they could see that much through the gorilla masks. They were greeted at the finish line by celebrity spoon-bender Uri Geller and all-round Goodie Bill Oddie, a long-time supporter of the event. Uri told the crowd:

“There are only 800 gorillas left on this planet so it is great to see so many of you supporting them in this way. Your mind power is giving the gorillas the energy to survive and my mind power gave you the energy to get through 8km.”

Uri Geller-powered gorillas in running shoes. The mind boggles.

The Pier32 connection to all this? Well, we've been supplying t-shirts for The Great Gorilla Run for years, at the event itself and for their online store. We're happy to be a part of the madness. Who knows, maybe next year we'll embed a reporter on the Run itself. Strictly undercover, of course...

The Gorilla Run Crew wearing their P32 tees. Looking good!

Pier32 supplied the Great Gorilla Run with Gildan Ultra Cotton Tees: just the thing to wear over that gorilla suit.

http://www.pier32.co.uk/product/gd002-ultra-cotton-tee/