Run Sandymoor Weekly Report 11/1/12

Please find the weekly report below.

Run Sandymoor Run Leaders

Meet the Run Sandymoor Run Leaders! All our run leaders are UKA affilliated members, UKA Leadership In Running Fitness certified and first aid trained.

Karen Bannon

RS Runner Leader 

I began running just before my 40th birthday, as I wanted to do a charity 10k for St Rocco’s hospice. Started out by myself, then a friend told me about RS and as they, the rest is history! I am a big advocate of supporting other members of the group and seeing their progression genuinely brings me joy. I can be known for my persuasive ways, my hula hooping, cake eating, dancefloor antics and my love of shots! What can I say my body is NOT a temple and I’m okay with that! But….. If we are long running at a weekend I’ll be there!

Mike Scowcroft

RS Runner Leader 

I have lived in
Runcorn most of my life, apart from a few years in Nottingham and Sheffield. I have been running on and off for over 20 years and joined my first running club in Sheffield (Steel City Striders). This proved to be a great way to make new friends and helped me to find new places around the city. I have been a member of Run Sandymoor since 2016, and a Run Leader since 2019. Outside of running, you can occasionally find me watching non-league football, as I am a Trust Member at Runcorn Linnets. Since joining RS, I have completed many achievements that I didn’t think I would ever do, including ultra marathons and winter fell races in
conditions that is probably best described as ‘challenging’.

What I enjoy most about being in Run Sandymoor is meeting new people and seeing how they progress on their running journey. The club is very inclusive and open to everyone, with
social events to enjoy as well. If you are just starting out on the Couch to 5k program, or if you are putting on your cross-country spikes to race through some mud, you will be welcome
here at Run Sandymoor.

John Myers

RS Runner Leader 

My name is John Myers. Born in Liverpool, I have been a resident of sunny Runcorn for over 35 years. I live in Sandymoor and have been an RS member since 2019. My interests include running (obviously), cycling, football (up the Reds!), ice hockey and travelling.

I enjoy all manner of running events (road, trail, XC, fell, multi terrain), I am always keen to try something new. I particularly enjoy the team events and the camaraderie it generates. It is the whole point of being in a running club IMHO. I also love Parkrun. I love everything it stands for and represents.

I am looking forward to the upcoming XC season and hopefully building on the previous impressive team performance

Louisa Mogg

RS Runner Leader 

Hey, I’m Louisa and I’m a run leader for Run Sandymoor. I originally started running to shift some baby weight and fast forward to 7 years later, I’ve ran 3 ultra marathons, qualified for a good for age for London Marathon, make a yearly visit to Tough Mudder (OCR) and finished first lady many times at my local Parkrun.

In my spare (I say spare, but there’s no such thing) time, I teach 3-6 year olds kickboxing as well as train in martial arts twice a week. I am a working mum who caters to my two boys’ hobbies too, and aside from all that I have two beautiful dogs who get my undivided love and attention. If you have come across this page with the curiosity to take up running, then I say go for it.

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Mike Sherwin

RS Runner Leader 

I was born in Stoke-on-Trent, before moving away to Newbury in my twenties for career purposes, but then moved to Sandymoor in January 2005 – again for work related reasons and have never looked back since.

I began running when I gained promotion as a semi-professional football referee and was required to pass a track fitness test each year. I was a referee for 19 seasons, but hung up my boots a few years ago now, where I then began to concentrate on progressing my running. I then joined Run Sandymoor and have since met some wonderful people within this fabulous club of ours. I enjoy watching club members push and challenge themselves and make progress in their running journeys and am pleased when they are rewarded for their efforts. Additionally, I continue to promote The Wirral Seaside 5K series each year, where first timers often gain themselves a 5K personal best. There are always exceptions when the wind is unusually blowing in the wrong direction! I have finished runner-up in my age category in 2019, 2020 and 2021.

You will regularly see me either running or volunteering at a parkrun on most Saturday mornings. I have volunteered many times and have managed to volunteer at least once in every volunteering role that parkrun offers. I equally would like to add to the number of away parkrun events that I have ran at, especially when we have so many parkruns within our local area. The other main non-running thing that I have done for the past seven years is to be a school governor at a local primary school. I currently hold the position of chair, where I am well known for my data analysis skills ?.

I have two daughters that keep me busy and we also have a Jack Russell that keeps me on my toes.

 

Gaz Tootle

RS Runner Leader 

  • I’m Gaz Tootle, I’m a run leader at RS.

    I used to dabble with a few miles running to keep fit, but I couldn’t run more than 3 miles without feeling like my head and chest was going to explode. I always thought running with a club would be scary, but my running changed for the better when I joined RS, with support, encouragement and knowledge being shared, everyone is so friendly.

    I started running with RS in June 2017, I ran my first half marathon in September 2017 and my first ultra marathon in May 2018.

    I’ve always enjoyed watching people improve and push themselves to the next level.

    Trail and endurance running are my go to passion. I love the hills and scenery, exploring parts of country you wouldn’t typically cover in a normal race, I suppose I love the challenge of long distance.

    However, I do enjoy Parkrun and our annual RS local event, as it’s always great to be around people who enjoy the same sport.

    Interests : My family comes first, Running, Cycling, generally keeping fit and Golf if I ever get time, again.

     

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Louise Mcadam

RS Runner Leader 

Hi there, I’m Louise! I first started running with Run Sandymoor in June 2016 when it had been established a few months. My primary reason for joining was to be ‘fit in my 50’s’ which it certainly did and I’ve never looked back! I’ve always loved participating in sport; swimming, squash, tennis, cycling and anything else that I feel like having a go at!

Being part of a running club has enabled me to improve and more importantly maintain my fitness to a good standard which is something I’m very proud of.

In 2017 I was privileged to lead a Couch to 5k 9-week course for RS. I love being able to encourage and motivate people whatever their running journey.

My best running year to date was 2019 where I entered my first (and probably only!) marathon; completed the Tour of Merseyside which consists of running six races over 7 days totalling 52 miles; The Great North Run the largest half marathon in the world; the Disneyland Paris 36k Challenge – 5k, 10k and 21k races over 3 consecutive days and ending with 2 legs (21 miles) of the Warrington Way which is a multi-terrain event. Looking back now I know I couldn’t have got through all of that without the support, guidance and friendship of the truly lovely people in RS. I’ve met some fab people and I’ve made some lifelong friends.

I am also on the Run Sandymoor Committee and undertake the roles of Membership Secretary and Welfare Officer.

If you are feeling unsure about coming along and being part of our club, don’t be as you will be given a warm welcome.

I have three grown up sons, three grandsons and three grand puppies – all of which I absolutely adore and all of which keep me very busy!

My hobbies include travelling, eating out, reading, visiting Anglesey and spending quality time with family and friends.

I officially retired after 38 years in the NHS in October 2019, but I have never been busier and have been working on and off ever since!

Les Mcadam

RS Runner Leader 

  • My name is Les McAdam and as well as being a Run Leader I am also a member of the Run Sandymoor committee and hold the position of Treasurer and Vice-Chair. I first started running in the mid 1980’s when I was in my early 30s. In those days I used to run totally on my own, had no plan, never warmed up, stretched or cooled down (which I always do now) and basically used to just run on a wing and a prayer.

    To challenge myself I started entering some races, usually 10Ks and half marathons as I enjoyed the buzz and challenge of running with and against other people, and it was much more fun than running on my own. There was no such thing as parkrun in those days and none of the events were chip timed so the time you got was basically the time you crossed the finish line no matter where you started.

     

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Sonia Mcwhan

RS Runner Leader 

My name is Sonia McWhan, I am an environmental scientist, married and from Widnes I got in to running later in life than most, I was 46 and went for a walk up Moel Famau and felt sick, I was so out of shape. I really needed to make some lifestyle changes…

When I started running I couldn’t run 200 meters, I was very, very unfit. I moved to Sandymoor and saw all the RS yellow tops with happy people in them running around the estate and knew had to join in. I trained myself to 5k over the the next three months and then joined a muster run . I loved it ! It’s so much easier with friends I have never looked back.

When I am not running ( which isn’t often) I love real ales, reading, and coastal walks around the UK I became a run leader as I love the social aspect of club runs and helping people hit their personal goals. I have made some life long friends and reconnected with old ones. Its the best decision I have made for ages. There are so many benefits both mentally and physically you get from joinng our friendly inclusive club I can’t recommend it enough.

 

 

Rachel Williamson

RS Runner Leader 

  • Hi, I’m Rach and I’ve been running with Run Sandymoor since 2016 when I couldn’t manage to run for very long at all, but the club supported and encouraged me and helped my running improve. This is why I wanted to give something back and so became a Run Leader to help others to improve both their confidence and their running.

    Aside from running I like crafting, walking (especially in the Lake District), Everton FC, reading and attending the RS social events (which includes the fun bus back from official runs). I’m also a proud geek and enjoy both science fiction and technology. Hope to see you on a run soon.

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Bob Block

RS Runner Leader 

Hi everyone. My name is Bob Block. Born in Liverpool and have lived in Sandymoor for the last 22 years. I joined RS in 2017 and became a Run Leader in 2021. I got into running at the age of 64, when I decided to try C25K and haven’t looked back since.

I have completed 5k, 10k, half marathons and other events, such as Tour of Merseyside and Warrington Way 40 miles. I have completed over 100 parkruns.

My hobbies include Coarse fishing, playing guitar ( or trying to) and of course running. I have made many friends in this great club of ours. I love the ethos of RS where everyone is encouraged to reach their best potential for them. I was made very welcome when I joined and this is why I became a Run Leader, so I could help others.

If Onyia

RS Runner Leader 

I’m If. And I quite like running, I tend to appear on the slower end of the spectrum, and you know what? That’s okay

I enjoy the conversations when I can run, the camaraderie from being part of a group. I’d done couch to 5k by myself as I’d wanted to return to running but without the structure of routine runs that had been a feature of my more competitive youth I found it easier to go 5k back to couch.

So I run for fun, because it gives me an amazing buzz and I’ve made some unshakeable friends here in the group. You probably won’t hear me talking about progression or pace that much because I find running at my pace keeps me fulfilled.

Run Sandymoor is very inclusive so it caters for all different abilities and will support you in your running journey. Come run with us.

Chris Jones

RS Runner Leader 

Run Sandymoor Run Leader and Comittee Member

Hi, I’m Chris and I am a Comittee Member as well as a Run Leader within the running club. I have been a member of Run Sandymoor since February 2017.

I started running 5 and 10K group sessions, which progressed to running in club colours at one of the local events. Since then, I have represented the club at many events, ranging from 5-10k road races, road and trail half marathons, marathons and ultra marathons.

When the club became UK Athletics Afilliated, I volunteered my services to assist with the technical aspects of running the club e.g. Social Media, Website and communications and still do so now.

In the past 2 years times have been challenging (as they have for everyone), my running frequency and ability has dipped somewhat, but I get out where and when possible. During COVID, our little family of 3 became a family of 5 with the addition of our twins, so as you can imagine, free time is hard to come by!

I am on the road to getting back to where I once was. Although not as frequent, I am still active within the club and lead sessions where possible.

 

Tom Hampton

RS Runner Leader 

Run Sandymoor Run Leader and Comittee Member

In my early Forties, I decided I needed to improve my fitness. At the time I didn’t own a bike, hadn’t swum for years and could not run for toffee and so triathlon was the obvious choice.

I progressed from sprint races to Half-Ironman events, before deciding to concentrate on running. Two ultra-marathons, four marathons, countless half-marathons and 10Ks, together with 150 parkruns later, I am still pounding the streets.