Tewkesbury Running Club

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“ They say life begins at 40. For me running began then. With a growing midriff and the need of a goal I was challenged to run the London Marathon. I got fit, trained hard and was then disappointed with my time. I had the bug but without a chance encounter with a TRC member that would probably have been the end of my running. I was persuaded I would be fine at a running club and have enjoyed the support , camaraderie and friendly rivalry ever since. I am proud to be Chair of this friendly club with something for everyone who wants to run at whatever level”

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"I joined TRC to meet new people who also had an interest in running when I moved to Tewkesbury in 2016 and found a very friendly and welcoming club. I now look after the pennies and the club kit.

I run primarily to keep fit but do enter an occasional race which tends to include a "challenge" each year."

"I’ve always been fairly sporty, but hated running. However, the London Marathon was on my ‘must do’ list so I had to start. It was supposed to be a one off, but it didn’t go quite as planned and I didn’t hit my 4hr goal. Hence, I had to have another go and was lucky to get another ballot place the following year (2008). It was during training for this that I joined the club, to help give me extra motivation to get the training runs in, especially the long ones. Hit my target that year, but by then I was hooked and still thought I could improve. I’ve been running with the club ever since, and involved with the committee for a good few years. 46 marathons later I’d like to say I’m still going strong, but have been struggling for a while. If it wasn’t for the club I’d probably have given up, but the camaraderie is great and keeps me going. Hopefully my mojo will return at some point, but until then I’ll plod along and try to help and encourage others along the way."

I don’t really enjoy running - it's no secret. However, nothing keeps you fit like running so I do enjoy the benifits. Initially, I first stumbled into triathlons in 1997 from a non-swimming, non-cycling, and non-running background, so I know what it’s like to struggle and finish last in a race! It took a lot of dedication to become a five-times Southwest regional triathlon champion, 1/2 Ironman winner, Olympic and Sprint distance triathlon winner - both locally and overseas. Other time comittments have taken over so the simplicity of running is brilliant - you just run! When I joined the club, it was just a dozen guys running around town - now, it’s an incredibly diverse, inclusive, and friendly club with lots going on. I like helping joggers become runners and encourging them to reach their potential. I thoroughly recommend joining the club. It's terrific value and will certainly enrich your life.

"I have a wife, 5 children, 2 grandchildren, a dog and a cat. I run to get out of the house and because I like cake."

I started running in 2008, when I decided to sign up for a half marathon to raise funds for a charity I was involved with. I joined my local club to get some training tips and never looked back.

I moved to Bredon, just 3 miles from Tewkesbury, and first joined TRC in 2015. I’m much less competitive these days, as single parenting doesn’t allow much training time, however, cross-country is my favourite and I love to get out on the trails with my mad spaniel, Stevie!

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After leaving the RAF in my early 30s my fitness levels took a nose dive. So during a conversation over a few beers some 20 years ago, for some reason a group of us decided run the Swindon Half Marathon. Despite saying never again, I have now completed countless half marathons and seven full marathons. I am now a qualifed run leader and regularly assist the club in organisisng runs and helping with events.