2014 WINNERS:
AUGUST 2014 – Áine Garvey
How long have you been a member of BvH?
I’ve been with BvH for nearly three years now. I used to run on my own before that and do the occasional Parkrun. Laura Gale joined the club first and told me how great it was so I came along to give it a try and haven’t looked back!
If you see me in the Pavilion Bar, you can buy me a…
Chamsps, obvs. But failing that, a glass of white wine in a fancy glass will suffice.
Favourite racing distance?
I don’t know, I wish someone would tell me! I think 10k is a nice balance of distance and speed which has made most of my 10k races enjoyable.
Favourite race/event?
I think the Cardiff Half Marathon is my favourite, although I’ve only run it once. It was the first long race I’d enjoyed all the way through and the beautiful finish on the waterfront gives you a boost for the sprint at the end. My favourite event as a spectator though has to be the Birmingham Half Marathon. Cheering on the Sea of Teal is always amazing.
Proudest moment as a runner?
Not to sound too earnest or worthy but I feel the most proud running with beginners. Over the years I’ve roped many an unwilling friend into running with me and seeing them go from hell to their first race is so rewarding. I’ve loved helping out with the beginner’s course this year and it’s great to see a lot of the group continue with their running. I never feel that proud of my own races so I take vicarious pride from theirs! (Must be some weird Irish Catholic thing!)
If you were trying to entice someone into joining BvH, what would you tell them about the club?
When am I NOT trying to entice people to join BvH?! I’m always going on about how friendly everyone is and the variety of abilities and personalities. Being around so many motivated and interesting people has such a great influence on you that it’s hard not to get caught up in all the amazing races and social events. What’s not to love? Oh and the bobble hats.
JULY 2014 – Dean Parker
How long have you been a member of BvH?
9 years.
If you see me in the Pavilion Bar, you can buy me a…
A glass of red wine or a pint of real ale.
Favourite racing distance?
Probably half marathon as you can enjoy it and chat a little bit until about mile 9 then it gets horrible.
Favourite race/event?
Any cross country race.
Proudest moment as a runner?
Winning national xc relays. Best club in the country the whole team of 5 all ran awesome that day.
If you were trying to entice someone into joining BvH, what would you tell them about the club?
Bournville caters for all abilities and everyone is so friendly whether you want to jog a couple of miles or run flat out for ten miles there will be someone to run with and please don’t think you’re not good enough to join a running club. Oh yes…! And we have the most funkiest bobble hats!
JUNE 2014 – Mark Cooper
If you see me in the Pavilion Bar, you can buy me a…pint of Peroni or a glass of my favourite Belgian beer, Leffe.
Favourite racing distance…..probably still 10k….just! I really do like Half Marathon’s as well, plus any distance in-between.
Favourite race/event…..Birmingham Half Marathon. I love the whole scale of the thing, the support along the way, especially the fantastic encouragement from other BvH club members and their families around the route, and the finish down Broad Street is brilliant. The whole atmosphere is just amazing.
Proudest moment as a runner…..completing the 4-day International Challenge in Cyprus in November 2012. This is an annual event, with 4 races in 4 days, over 4 distances and 4 terrains. Day one starts with a 6k time trial, day two is a 7 mile trail run, all up hill into the Akamas mountains, day three is a half marathon, 6.5 miles uphill (again in the Akamas mountains) and the second half downhill finishing on the beach. The fourth and final race is a 10k which starts and ends in Paphos Harbour, with entertainment (and free beer!) at the finish. A fantastic experience and some breath-taking scenery along the way, with great friendship and encouragement amongst those taking part, and with competitors from all corners of the world. A definite “must do again” event!
If you were trying to entice someone into joining BvH, what would you tell them about the club…….what are you waiting for? Come along and meet some of the nicest, friendly, most helpful and supportive people you will find anywhere and just try and resist becoming part of the BvH family…!
MAY 2014 – Stacey Marston
How long have you been a member of BvH?
I started running with BvH last summer and joined after a few weeks. I’d been running for about five years but my usual partner left the country (I don’t think it was because of my running chat) and I needed some company and to find some new routes.
If you see me in the Pavilion Bar, you can buy me a…
Unfortunately I’m usually driving on club nights, but otherwise I do like a glass of wine and an occasional beer.
Favourite racing distance?
Probably 10k, I don’t do enough 10k races though so perhaps that’s why.
Favourite race/event?
That’s easy, I love parkrun. I’m a bit of a parkrun-nut and try to tell as many people about it as possible, whether they run or not! I’m working towards my 100 t-shirt and also trying to do a bit more parkrun tourism, as I’m finding the new hill at Cannon Hill a bit of a challenge!
Proudest moment as a runner?
Running down Broad Street at the end of the 2012 Birmingham Half Marathon; having just missed my target of going under two hours a month earlier at the Great North Run I knew this time I’d achieved it and saw my husband cheering me on with just a few hundred metres to go.
If you were trying to entice someone into joining BvH, what would you tell them about the club?
That the club really does live up to its values; that you’ll meet a lot of lovely people and make some new friends and not to do the Harborne Hills route on your first night (I don’t think I’d have come back for a second visit if I had!).
APRIL 2014 – Chris Harlan-Marks
How long have you been a member of BvH?
6 and a bit years.
If you see me in the Pavilion Bar, you can buy me a…
Lime and soda. Hard core!
Favourite racing distance?
Hard to say. I guess 5k, because if I’m a bit over-zealous at the start, at least I don’t have to pay for it for very long.
Favourite race/event?
I tend to prefer smaller, rural races to big city ones. I think the White Horse 5k series is really good, because it’s a fast course and a strong field, but it’s never crowded so you’re not tripping over people. The Frampton 10k is similar… so I guess I should probably just get it over with and move to Gloucester.
Proudest moment as a runner?
I got roped into running a short leg on our National 12-stage team in 2010, as we had depleted numbers. (That was the year of the volcanic ash cloud and people were stuck abroad and stuff). I was acutely aware that I was by far the slowest person on the team and that I wasn’t actually meant to be running, but through some combination of excitement and sheer terror I ended up putting in a much better performance than I expected, running about a minute quicker than I had at the Midland 12-stage a month earlier. That was pretty cool.
If you were trying to entice someone into joining BvH, what would you tell them about the club?
Joining BvH is one of the best things I’ve ever done. I’ve met some of my closest friends through the club, and my running has improved a whole lot as a result too. It’s more than just a club – it’s a running community!