Gorilla fan bumps into Bill Oddie during charity run (From Enfield Independent)

Gorilla fan bumps into Bill Oddie during charity run

11:46am Tuesday 25th September 2012 in News By Hermione Wright

A gorilla enthusiast ran through central London on Saturday dressed as her favourite animal.

Courtney Hagen, of Wellington Road in Bush Hill Park, aped around with 360 people during the annual Great Gorilla Run.

She bumped into broadcaster Bill Oddie, who was supporting the runners as the patron of the Gorilla Organisation.

She said he was a "nice fellow" and made time to talk to the participants before the run.

The 28-year-old, who also donned an Arsenal shirt to show her support to her favourite team, raised £215 through donations for charity the Gorilla Organisation.

The media analyst said: “It was fantastic fun, I just loved it. Everyone was a fancy gorilla, there weren’t any plain ones.

"There were tourists stopping and cheering for us and taking pictures and giving us high fives."

Ms Hagen, who moved to Enfield four years ago from Canada, has been fascinated by gorillas since she studied primates during her archaeology degree.

She completed the race in one hour and five minutes and said she walked more than she would have liked to due to the warm weather.