Charlotte Woodcock

Member of Essington Harriers since 2021

About eight years ago I did the couch to 5K on my own but after I completed it I stopped running because I didn’t like running in the cold and dark on my own so stopped. I’d then start the couch to 5K again and must have done this a dozen times.

In 2019 I moved from Birmingham and then Covid hit and I was working from home a distance from friends and family. I would see the club running passed the end of my road and thought they seem a nice bunch of people and signed up for the C2A. I’m so glad I did!

Charlotte Woodcock, Member 2021, Member 2022, Member 2023

Q & As My Races

What has been your favourite race or racing memory so far?

I loved the Wolverhampton 10K at the end of the progression course with the club.

What advice would you give a new runner?

What’s your proudest running achievement?

What running kit do you use?

What one thing should people know about you?

When I was 14 years old I met Sir Bobby Charlton at one of his sports day. Obviously struggling to find anything positive to say about my sporting ability he said what a “tall and smiley girl” I was. I’ll take that!

What are your pre-race rituals?

What are you pre & post race snacks?

What future race ambitions do you have?

I love to be able to get my mileage into double figures. I’d also like to get a sub-30 5K.

What are your favourite running shoes?

Do you have any other information, facts, stories or details you’d like to share with the other club members?

My Races

Wyre Forest Trail Half Marathon

Aldridge 10k

Cardiff Trail Half Marathon

MBNA Chester Metric Marathon

MBNA Chester Marathon

Essar Chester Half Marathon

Member of Essington Harriers since 20xx
Committee Member: Vice Men’s Captain
Mental Health Champion

Runner Intro

Charlotte Woodcock, Member 2021, Member 2022, Member 2023

Q & As My Races My 2021 My 2022

What has been your favourite race or racing memory so far?

What advice would you give a new runner?

What’s your proudest running achievement?

What running kit do you use?

What one thing should people know about you?

What are your pre-race rituals?

What are you pre & post race snacks?

What future race ambitions do you have?

What are your favourite running shoes?

Do you have any other information, facts, stories or details you’d like to share with the other club members?

My Races

No posts

2021 Runner Review

2022 Runner Review

Dave Badger

Member of Essington Harriers since 2019
Committee Member: Club secretary

I was turning 40 and decided I needed to get fitter and join a club.

I saw an advert on FB saying a new club was going to be put together in Essington so I went on the very first EHRC run with a handful of people to see if I could do it.

The club was then officially set up and I’m still here lol.

Q & As My Races

What has been your favourite race or racing memory so far?

Stafford Half

What advice would you give a new runner?

Keep going you’ll get there

What’s your proudest running achievement?

PB Stafford Half 1:53

What running kit do you use?

What one thing should people know about you?

I’m awesome.
Love DIY and commercial aircraft.

What are your pre-race rituals?

No Beer

What are you pre & post race snacks?

Beer and scratchins

What future race ambitions do you have?

What are your favourite running shoes?

Brooks

Do you have any other information, facts, stories or details you’d like to share with the other club members?

My Races

No posts

Drew Allen

Member of Essington Harriers since 2019
Committee Member: Vice Woman’s Captain

I have always been into sport, doing hockey and GCSE sport at school. I started running, by just about, completing a few ParkRuns and then joining the Harriers in 2019.

My run journey really started in lockdown when there was nothing else to do! Tammy dragged me out for the ‘one outdoor activity a day’ and from there, when things started getting back to normal I signed up to many races! Going from 5k, to 10k, to half marathon, and now marathons (mind blown). I have now completed 2 out of the 6 majors. On to the next…

Drew Allen, Member 2019, Member 2020, Member 2021, Member 2022, Member 2023, Run Leader

Q & As My Races My 2022

What has been your favourite race or racing memory so far?

Its got to be the New York Marathon,
The people, the place, the crowd!

What advice would you give a new runner?

You can do it !!

What’s your proudest running achievement?

Running my first marathon

What running kit do you use?

Body glide

What one thing should people know about you?

I don’t like running on my own

What are your pre-race rituals?

Having a wee multiple times

What are you pre & post race snacks?

Everything I see

What future race ambitions do you have?

Complete The Abbott World Marathon Majors

What are your favourite running shoes?

Nike

Do you have any other information, facts, stories or details you’d like to share with the other club members?

I have been in a function band since I was 14, playing weddings and festivals. I play the bass, double bass (like a very big violin), and sing.

My Races

No posts

2022 Runner Review

Dave Poynton

Member of Essington Harriers since 2019
Committee Member: Vice Men’s Captain

As a way of losing weight I did a couch to 5k on a treadmill in my kitchen as I was very self conscious about my appearance. Once I’d started losing weight I gained enough confidence to venture outside and found parkrun which was an absolute game changer ! This lead to me joining another local running club before I tried Essington Harriers on the recommendation of friends.

Have to say it’s the best thing I’ve ever done. It’s a fantastic club with a broad range of abilities and everyone is welcomed and no one is ever left behind. Since joining Harriers I’ve achieved my ambition of running a marathon .. or two !

This was once again made possible by the unbelievable support shown by the club. I really wouldn’t want to anywhere else as I enjoy my running here so much.

Q & As My Races My 2021

What has been your favourite race or racing memory so far?

London landmarks half marathon. An amazing event with unbelievable support and a lovely goodie bag !

What advice would you give a new runner?

Enjoy the journey!

What’s your proudest running achievement?

Completing a virtual marathon

What running kit do you use?

The right pair of socks!

What one thing should people know about you?

When I was very young i once auditioned for the Saturday morning kids tv show TISWAS ! Before my voice broke I used to do impressions. Never made it on to the show as they chose a ballerina girl.

What are your pre-race rituals?

None

What are you pre & post race snacks?

Energy bar

What future race ambitions do you have?

I’d love to compete in the London marathon one day

What are your favourite running shoes?

Mizuno

Do you have any other information, facts, stories or details you’d like to share with the other club members?

My Races

No posts

A year which saw me continue to enjoy my role as Run Director and running at parkrun upon its resumption culminating in a few pb’s along the way

Thankfully more ups than downs mainly down to friends on lockdown runs and club members when we were all back together.

Highlights :

Scarborough 10k
My award
Stafford Half
Alton Towers.
Running 1000 miles

Scarborough 10k: Although there’s nothing particularly standout about this race it allowed me to travel up and see my brother for the first time in nearly two years

Delighted to voted Runner of the year by members.

Stafford just because it’s a lovely run with a great turnout from the club.

Alton Towers was all about the rides ! The rides afterwards were just amazing and we all had just the best time with lots of laughter.

To reach 1000 miles gave me a focus with all that was going on around us. Absolutely thrilled to finally hit my target.

Looking forward : To continue being healthy enough to run with such a fantastic and supportive club with an amazing group of people ……. oh and maybe a Marathon x

Gary Jenkins

Member of Essington Harriers since 20021
Run Leader

Starting running in 1984. Joined Sneyd Striders as I went to school at Sneyd. First race was Walsall Half Marathon in 1985. Raining and finished on the cobbles under the Overstrand. Carnage!!

Left Striders early ’90 and went to Wolverhampton and Bilston.
Member of Aldridge RC for a few years mid / late 90’s, then a break until 2005.

Dave Poynton got me to join EHRC after much nagging and it is without doubt the best club I have been a part of. The whole ethos / values of the club are spot on

Q & As My Races

What has been your favourite race or racing memory so far?

Getting back on the start line for the London Marathon after 17 years.

What advice would you give a new runner?

Don’t look at the watch, just enjoy it

What’s your proudest running achievement?

New York City Marathon. Unreal experience for so many reasons. First did it as a 20 year old (No Dave Poynton, there weren’t any dinosaurs!).

What running kit do you use?

Long short. Fat thighs!!

What one thing should people know about you?

One of the RD’s at Chasewater parkrun. Previously did the same at Walsall Arbo.

What are your pre-race rituals?

I tend to get there very early

What are you pre & post race snacks?

Weetabix and a banana

What future race ambitions do you have?

Manchester Marathon 2024. Very proud to help Phil Mew with this after his disappointment, but brave decision last year.
It will also be my daughter, Emily’s first marathon too.
Would like to do Loch Ness marathon at some stage

What are your favourite running shoes?

Hoka Gaviota

Do you have any other information, facts, stories or details you’d like to share with the other club members?

I have managed to get away with blowing my nose on Dave Poynton’s Wolves shirt without him knowing!

My Races

No posts

Adam Cole

Member of Essington Harriers since 2021 – 2023

2021 Review

Getting a sub 3:30 at London Marathon was my favourite moment of the year 😅

Gemma Spooner

Member of Essington Harriers since 2021

Runner Intro

Q & As My Races My 2021 My 2022

What has been your favourite race or racing memory so far?

What advice would you give a new runner?

What’s your proudest running achievement?

What running kit do you use?

What one thing should people know about you?

What are your pre-race rituals?

What are you pre & post race snacks?

What future race ambitions do you have?

What are your favourite running shoes?

Do you have any other information, facts, stories or details you’d like to share with the other club members?

My Races

No posts

2022 Runner Review

2022 Runner Review

Debbie Sherman

Member of Essington Harriers since 2019

Runner Intro

Q & As My Races

What has been your favourite race or racing memory so far?

What advice would you give a new runner?

What’s your proudest running achievement?

What running kit do you use?

What one thing should people know about you?

What are your pre-race rituals?

What are you pre & post race snacks?

What future race ambitions do you have?

What are your favourite running shoes?

Do you have any other information, facts, stories or details you’d like to share with the other club members?

My Races

No posts

Adam Riddle

Member of Essington Harriers since 2019
Committee Member: Treasurer

When i started with the harriers i wanted to grow my friends in the local area, lose some weight and become healthier.

Adam Riddle, Member 2019, Member 2020, Member 2021, Member 2022, Member 2023

Q & As My Races

What has been your favourite race or racing memory so far?

Im not a racer but i take part in the odd one! Stafford relays was a great evening out!

What advice would you give a new runner?

What’s your proudest running achievement?

What running kit do you use?

What one thing should people know about you?

Im a big fan of football! Many of you see me down molineux most weekends – but if im not there, im on a plane somewhere!

What are your pre-race rituals?

What are you pre & post race snacks?

What future race ambitions do you have?

What are your favourite running shoes?

Do you have any other information, facts, stories or details you’d like to share with the other club members?

When i started with the harriers i wanted to grow my friends in the local area, lose some weight and become healthier.
Been aiming for 10K for a while!