- Member of Essington Harriers since 2022
Started running again in the late 70’s early 80’s just to get fit to keep up with our two girls, and ran a couple of marathons in the Birmingham area before the London got started. A few years after joining a local club I coached a group of Minor Girls to Senior Ladies, a number went on to represent England, Scotland and Great Britain.
In the early 90’s I contracted a work related chest problem that curtailed my running for a number of years, and after nearly 10 years of being fed up with the Doctors not getting to the bottom of it I started Jogging again to see if that would help. At the age of 55 I ran the 2006 Wolverhampton Half Marathon with very little training this kick started me to get training again properly, and the following year’s had successes mainly on the masters scene.
For some unknown reason I ended up in the wilderness for a number of years and only ran (or attempted to) a parkrun every week, in the end it was a choice between wine or running and I chose the latter. Lock down helped me a lot with nothing else to do but run to get me outside. I was running well just after my 70th birthday and lock down had ended, till I lost form may be due to two bouts of Covid and a hernia.
I had always run on my own and looked for a club, but did not want clubs I had been in before with lots of politics so I thought I would give Essington Harriers a try and joined in November 2022. It turned out to be the right decision as it is not elitist or take thing too serious, just book your run and turn up and run with everyone willing to help each other.
What has been your favourite race or racing memory so far?
Got to be the Monte Carlo 10K. One year happened to be on our 40th Anniversary and after we were stopped going into our hotel (Hotel-de-Paris) in our running gear (will no repeat what I told him)
What advice would you give a new runner?
Just enjoy it and don’t take it too serious.
What’s your proudest running achievement?
Think is has to be the Dudley 25K in 1 hour 27 minutes after I rode there on my bike. The British Masters O/60s Tack Championships on paper I had no chance of coming in the top 5, but a boiling hot day favoured me more that the others and I came second and took the silver medal.
What running kit do you use?
Any brand from cheap vests to Sore and even Versace, also designer woollen beanie hats in the winter including Louis Vuitton.
What one thing should people know about you?
In 2013 along with wife Ursula we were nominated for “The Black Country sport & physical activity Awards” and I also carried the Commonwealth Games Baton though Walsall Arboretum, for the voluntary work I had done with athletics and parkruns.
What are your pre-race rituals?
Try to run part of the course especially the finish part as a warm up.
What are you pre & post race snacks?
A slice of toast before the race and hardly anything after just a nice cup of green tea.
What future race ambitions do you have?
Would like to try a Marathon again now I am in my 70’s, also would like to get in the England Masters Team.
What are your favourite running shoes?
Any make as long as they are cheap.
Do you have any other information, facts, stories or details you’d like to share with the other club members?
Everyone keeps saying I am an inspiration, all I am is a bloke in his 70’s that runs (badly).
Do not wait till the end of a race to bet me
My Races
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