Runners of the Month, October to December 2018

Pete (known as Mitch) is our first Runner of the Month for December. Mitch is a long-standing member of the club where he is a valuable & cheerful volunteer as well as turning in some very impressive running performances & times including the Sydney, Aus. Marathon recently.  Mitch is also a core member of the parkrun team. He has often run as a pacer & helped many people including several Almosts to new PBs, as well as recently stepping up to be Run Director where he performed exceptionally well and got some nice comments from tourists in the visitors book.  Mitch is currently fundraising with his Brighton Marathon place for The Alzheimer’s Society in memory of his much-loved Aunt who recently passed away from the condition.  He is also a jolly good “Knitter”. Check out his handiwork at Christmas Day parkrun. Good work Mitch…

Fi is our second worthy Runner of the Month for December. Having fractured her foot in 2017, Fi has come back with a vengeance in her running in 2018 and has shown great determination to get herself back to peak fitness. During the year Fi has run six marathons in Castellon Espana, London, Stroud Trails, Chicago, Snowdonia and Broadway. The last 3 were completed in a six-week window alone.
Fi has stepped up to join the Almost Athletes committee this year where she has put a lot of energy into her role as Welfare Officer & has produced some brilliant work behind the scenes to review & update our policies as well as some new awards for club members you’ll be hearing more of soon.   Fi always runs with a smile on her face and is very supportive of other members in their endeavours.  Well done Fiona!

Mark is our final Runner of the Month for December, an award for which he is long overdue. Mark goes about his running exploits and adventures in a very understated way, yet he is highly supportive of his colleagues and always willing to pass on his training tips & advice. He has long since gained his 100 Marathon Club vest & is now up nearer the 125. Marathons for Mark now though are more like “popping out for the milk”; he is one of, if not the club’s strongest Ultra Marathon runner with feats this year alone including Comrades 56 mile in SA with Anne-Marie in well under 9 hours and most lately the 100-mile Centurion Run in an amazing 22 hours 42 mins, straight through the night. Brilliant running, all done in one of the oldest club vests out there! Keep it up Mark

James is our first ROTM for October. James is a real, social, energetic member of Almosts as you can see. He has made a great success of his track sessions. He organises the Monday night training with a totally dedicated and focused approach, often conducting a lot of research and homework about running styles and techniques to supplement the sessions which have seen numbers attending grow considerably. Good work James!

Jayne is our next deserving ROTM. Jayne has achieved a podium finish in this year’s club off road series including some great showings at Cheltenham Challenge Half, Forest of Dean Half and Standish to name but 3. Jayne is very modest about her phenomenal achievements and would no doubt put her success down to her guides. Jayne supports lots of club activities and while we were sad to see Ginty go, she has formed a great partnership with Keble, topped off with Jayne running the 2019 London Marathon for TeamGuideDogs. Keep it up Jayne!

Kev joined us a few years ago after a relocation from London and together with Patricia have become very supportive members of Almosts. Kev has had a great year of very dedicated training and racing where his his impressive annual mileage target has helped break a number of PBs including most latterly going sub 2 hours for the first time in the half marathon at Birmingham. Kev is also a fanatical Parkrunner where he is now well over 300 runs. Well done Kev!..

Lorraine has continued her fabulous form this year to record new PBs at all distances from one mile, plus a very impressive debut marathon. Lorraine’s dedicated training has undoubtedly paid off, but she is also a great club lady too, being a penguin! at Cheltenham water station and offering lots of ideas and support for her teammates. Her inaugural marathon success was at Chester where she cracked sub 4 hours in 3:59:18. Fabulous Lorraine!