Chiquita enjoyed a day out in the London sunshine on Sunday supporting the Leukaemia Research Fund (LRF) through the London Chiquita Bananaman Chase 10K at Regents Park.

“We had a record number of runners taking part this year and hope to reach our target of £150,000 to fund our life-saving blood cancer research,” a spokesman for LRF said. “Our 10 top bananas added to the fun by motivating our army of runners. They also highlighted the importance of events like this by sharing their personal experiences of blood cancer.”

The top bananas are all people with a personal connection to blood cancer, and they led the 1,500 runners in the chase around the park.

The runners’ aim was to beat as many of the top bananas dressed in banana suits as they could during the course of the run. The bananas each started at different times, ahead of and behind the main pack. Cheryl Harris, from St Albans, was one of the top bananas. She was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2002 after discovering a lump on her neck. “Thanks to Leukaemia Research, I survived blood cancer and am now healthy and well,” said Harris. “It’s vital that the charity receives as much funding as possible and the Bananaman Chase is a really fun way for people to help.”

BBC journalist and Newsnight presenter Gavin Esler started the race and gave commentary during its course. His daughter Charlotte was 14 when she was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma. After months of treatment she is now in remission. She also spoke from the podium.

Chiquita’s John Manwaring said the event was a huge success. “It was great to do something for charity and we had about 2,000 in the park supporting the runners,” said Manwaring. “At one point the whole park was a sea of yellow.”

Volunteers from Chiquita centres around the country came to help out on the day and a team of 10 made the trip down to London from Dewsbury to take part. “If you enjoyed the day, or missed out on London, join us in Milton Keynes on October 7, for our first ever Milton Keynes Bananaman Chase 10K,” said Manwaring. Chiquita is also sponsoring LRF’s Bikeathon this Sunday in London, which hopes to raise £500,000 for the same cause.

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