Runners of the Month, Second Half of 2024

The first runner of the month for July and August is Kate Bestwick. For the past year or so Kate has gone from strength to strength, an understated runner who loves the club and has embraced all aspects of it. She tried out Monday track sessions as part of the Red January campaign and is forever participating in 10k races in memory of friends and loved ones such as the Cheltenham Running festival in 76.53 and the Cheltenham 10k in 78.53.  She’s always doing challenges to push herself and isn’t put off by the difficulty of whatever comes her way. She’s the first to support others during Wednesday social club runs, off and on road, and loves helping others at parkrun, not to mention being an event director. She always makes time to run, support and encourage others and is a true inspiration to all. Well done Kate!

The second runner of the month for July and August is Phil Jeyes. Phil is the run director for our club races and during August delivered the Bugatti 10k and Meteor Mile. Both these events were fabulously managed by Phil with the support of many of you as volunteers. And once again we received great feedback from runners of other clubs how well managed they are. Phil has done this great job of organising the club races despite recent personal tragedy. Phil has also been on a journey of returning to running after injury and then had to overcome hurting his toe and he walked the Alderton 5k race with crutches. And the following day he was marshalling at Cheltenham Half. In addition he recently completed a 5k swim race in just over 2 hours which is a great time and completed the Cheltenham Tri! Well done Phil!

The third runner of the month for July and August is Sarah Fennell. Sarah has shown tremendous dedication and determination as she embarked on a 15 week training plan back in May for the Cheltenham Half marathon. This was to get her back out there running after suffering a personal tragedy and raise money for Sue Ryder in memory of Nigel. After a successful training plan she made it to the start line physically ready. She found the race the hardest half she has ever done emotionally and mentally but with an amazing support crew of Almosts out on the course on their bikes she and Katy got it done in 2:57. She looked strong towards the end as she passed me with a high five and a huge smile as she entered the racecourse for the finish. What an inspirational journey! Well done Sarah!

The fourth and final runner of the month for July and August is Neil Tring. Neil is one of our LiRFs and he regularly leads the fastest group on the Wednesday club run. He is also a big supporter of our road race and off road race series completing in most of the events in those series and recently has run four 10k races in 46 minutes. He is currently well placed and expected to win his age category overall in both series. Neil is also a very keen parkrunner who is regularly running in 22/23 minutes and being first in his age category. But in the last weekend of August he delivered some unbelievably good times for his V65 age category with 6.23 at the Meteor Mile on Friday night and 21.16 at Alderton 5k on Saturday morning, both new club records! And then he turned up on his bike to support the Cheltenham half on Sunday. Inspirational stuff! Well done Neil!