2016 WINNERS:
March 2016 – Olly Kirkland
How long have you been a member of BvH?
How long have you been a member of BvH?If you see me in the Pavilion Bar, you can buy me a…
I don’t tend to drink on a school night, but if you’re buying I’ll have a pint of lager please!
Favourite racing distance?
I have two at the moment 5k and HM. For some reason I find 10k a really challenging distance as a race, so I’m planning to do a few at that distance throughout the summer, starting with Birmingham 10k this weekend.
Favourite race/event?
5k – Cannon Hill parkrun. I love the way that a good burst on a Saturday morning sets you up for the weekend
HM – Has to be Coventry Half for me, not the most picturesque but PB potential and it tends to be the first in the calendar for me after Christmas.
Proudest moment as a runner?
Finishing Coventry Half this year, knowing that I’d knocked over 10 mins off my previous year’s time
If you were trying to entice someone into joining BvH, what would you tell them about the club?
I’d say that it doesn’t matter what ability you are or what you want to get out of joining BvH it is the right club for anyone who wants to start, improve or compete. It’s friendly, there is a wealth of experience to draw from and for me the encouragement from other runners is amazing.
May 2016 – Andy Hall
How long have you been a member of BvH?
It seems like ages ago but I think it was 2011. I use to run for Rowheath Harriers before I was old enough to drink and drive ( not in that order), it was at that point i lost interest in running! I started running again around 2008 and did my first half marathon at Birmingham that year. Following on from that I just couldn’t beat Stuart Pearson so at Iron Bridge half marathon in 2010 as I past Stuart I made myself a bet that if he beat me I would look into joining BVH. It was decided at around 11 mile so here I am!
I’d like to think things have changed but I still get beaten by Stuart!
If you see me in the Pavilion Bar, you can buy me a…
It would have to be a pint of Stella or a single malt.
Favourite racing distance?
Anything from half marathon and upwards anything less is just painful.
Favourite race/event?
Rhayader 20 mile round the lakes. It can be punishing due to the weather but being a Saturday race the recarbing afterwards is great. The scenery is second to none.
Proudest moment as a runner?
Raising several thousand pound for Macmillan cancer support and being part of there family. I’ve ran several marathons for them and each time I’ve been reduced to tears. I proposed to my wife following London marathon in 2014 in the foreign and common wealth office at the recovery centre with Macmillan and ended up trending on Twitter. We got married this year and it’s set to be a year for pb’s.
If you were trying to entice someone into joining BvH, what would you tell them about the club?
What have you got to loose! Our club has all abilities and I love the way we embrace everyone. I’ve loved watching some of the recent performances of team members. Wether it’s a sub 15 minute 5k or a 6 hour marathon the same effort goes into every step. We might not have the most members or be the fastest of our competitors but we are definitely the friendliest.
June 2016 – Nicola Mann
How long have you been a member of BvH?
I joined after the Beginner’s Course in 2015… one of the best decisions I’ve ever made!
If you see me in the Pavilion Bar, you can buy me a…
These days, a pint of iced water with a slice of lemon/lime.
Favourite racing distance?
Keeps changing, but the 10k just edges it.
Favourite race/event?
World Half Marathon Championships, Cardiff. Running in the footsteps of Mo Farah…..albeit an extremely long way behind, was special. Used to live in Cardiff – it’s a place associated with happy memories.
The race was emotional…..a friend’s husband had died the week before. But it gave me the strength to push through those last tough miles.
Originally hoped to squeeze under 2 hours. But got a PB of 6 minutes in 1:56:09, so was pleased about that!
Also, Birmingham 10k and Half Marathon……..because of the great support from BvH along the route, and the numbers of BvH running.
Proudest moment as a runner?
Apart from the Cardiff Half, breaking my 10k PB twice in May……..and then an unexpected Parkrun PB, two weeks later in 24:24.
I’ve really enjoyed helping out at the Beginner’s Course too. Seeing the progress and development others make is a buzz. It’s nice to be able to support and encourage others, and give something back.
If you were trying to entice someone into joining BvH, what would you tell them about the club?
Where do I start! It’s a fantastic club….friendly, welcoming, supportive, inclusive and caters for everybody no matter what ability. It’s well organised, and opportunities aplenty to develop, thanks to excellent coaching sessions and the years of experience and knowledge of it’s members. Many different ways to get involved in the club, whether participating in cross country events and road relays, Teal Targets, Sunday social runs, Parkruns etc. Also lots of opportunities to be part of the wider running community such as volunteering at Parkrun and Junior Parkrun, marshalling at local races, or simply cheering ones club mates on at races entered.
July 2016 – Emma Hopkins
How long have you been a member of BvH?
Three years
If you see me in the Pavilion Bar, you can buy me a…
A nice chilled pint of cider or a glass of white wine!
Favourite racing distance?
10k because it gives me chance to settle into my running.
Favourite race/event?
Thunder run. I love this event because it is really friendly and has a great atmosphere. Everyone is really encouraging and it is great running as part of a team.
Proudest moment as a runner?
Completing the London Marathon…I didn’t think I would ever be able to run never mind run a marathon!
If you were trying to entice someone into joining BvH, what would you tell them about the club?
It is really friendly and encouraging. There is a group for everyone to run with and no one is ever left behind.
August 2016 – Allan Green
(Allan sent us a photo of him with Basil – a Spanish street dog rescued by the volunteers of Mascotas Cordobas, the charity for whom he ran the Stratford Half last year.)
How long have you been a member of BvH?
I joined immediately after completing the BvH 2011 Beginner’s Course. I fell in love with the great community spirit that the club offers – even an old duffer like me was made so very welcome. (And the mid-life crisis may have been a factor too…)
If you see me in the Pavilion Bar, you can buy me a…
Well, ideally I’d suggest a pint of bitter but sadly they don’t sell any vegan real ales. So, I’d settle for an orange juice with lemonade please!
Favourite racing distance?
Numerically, I’ve done more parkruns than anything else so I’d have to say 5k. But, I’ve done a few half-marathons now and the sense of achievement is wonderful. And surprise that I’d ever managed to run that far. Mostly surprise actually now I think about it.
Favourite race/event?
Cannon Hill parkrun (mostly for the wonderful people there who share a post-run coffee!) And my first ever sub-hour 10k last year (the Leafy Ten) was pretty satisfying too. (Whatever anyone said at the time about the actual distance…!) And although technically not answering the question, I’d like to take this opportunity to nominate Brueton Park parkrun as the worst ever for having toilets which aren’t open until after the run starts.
Proudest moment as a runner?
Every moment I run makes me proud! I was always the last miserable soul to finish cross-country runs at school so it still makes me laugh when I spot my England Athletics membership card. But the proudest moment is (of course) being nominated for this award. (I’d just like to thank…. etc. etc.!) I cannot imagine how I possibly deserved it but hey the feeling is wonderful! Love you all!
If you were trying to entice someone into joining BvH, what would you tell them about the club?
I’d tell them that they could be sure of meeting a lot of very friendly people. Whatever their running standard and aspirations they would find plenty of advice to help them improve. Oh, and I’d probably mention that I’ve lost more than a stone since joining without any dieting!
September 2016 – Jo Whiting
How long have you been a member of BvH?
Eighteen months
If you see me in the Pavilion Bar, you can buy me a…
A G & T or a cider.
Favourite racing distance?
I don’t have a favourite. I like to mix it up with a variety of different races.
Favourite race/event?
I LOVED the Cambridge Wineathlon this year. I had been stressing about running faster and getting better times and had started to get really frustrated. This race was just about enjoying running (and wine). It was so light-hearted and relaxed and helped me to rediscover my love of running.
Proudest moment as a runner?
Probably would have to be completing the Birmingham half in 2014 (before I joined the club). My aim was to get round the course without walking and to come in at under 3 hours. I did both and it felt amazing!
If you were trying to entice someone into joining BvH, what would you tell them about the club?
It’s so inclusive. It doesn’t matter if you are really speedy or a bit of a plodder. Everyone is welcomed and included.
October 2016 – Richard Shearing
How long have you been a member of BvH?
I joined the club in March this year.
If you see me in the Pavilion Bar, you can buy me a…
Nice cold pint of Lager.
Favourite racing distance?
I would probably say either 10k or Half Marathon.
Favourite race/event?
Thunderrun – the team spirit, atmosphere and the whole weekend was brilliant. It’s a great way to spend a weekend getting to know loads of people from the club. It was also my first attempt at off road and night running. Throughout the whole weekend there were so many memorable moments particularly when Taz realised he had to do another lap at the end of the 24 hours.
Proudest moment as a runner?
Kenilworth Half Marathon – this was my first half marathon, I had been targeting to just get round in under 2 hours having not run the distance before, so was surprised and proud to finish in 1 hour 47 min.
If you were trying to entice someone into joining BvH, what would you tell them about the club?
It’s so inclusive. It doesn’t matter if you are really speedy or a bit of a plodder. Everyone is welcomed and included.
November 2016 – Alec Croke
How long have you been a member of BvH?
Fifteen years
If you see me in the Pavilion Bar, you can buy me a…
Pint of Lager
Favourite racing distance?
Marathon.
Favourite race/event?
The Snowdonia Marathon 2006
Proudest moment as a runner?
Helping my wife run the Birmingham Half Marathon as she had a bad fall a few days before..
If you were trying to entice someone into joining BvH, what would you tell them about the club?
There are several reasons to join:
-
There is a cross section of different paced groups to run with.
- The club has many experienced runners who are willing to share their knowledge.
- Great rep sessions for all levels.
- Safety of running in a group.
December 2016 – Linda Goulding
How long have you been a member of BvH?
I joined after completing the Beginners course in 2012, I was new to running having previously always gone to the gym, I loved the experience of running outside – whatever the weather!
If you see me in the Pavilion Bar, you can buy me a…
Vodka & Tonic
Favourite racing distance?
I don’t enter many races but would say 10K
Favourite race/event?
Cannon Hill parkrun – whether I run or volunteer, it’s a great positive start to the weekend, I enjoy that there are always other Bournville Harriers there for a pre-event chat each week, and feeling part of the running community.
Proudest moment as a runner?
Completing the Birmingham Half Marathon and enjoying the whole thing, the sense of achievement was amazing.
If you were trying to entice someone into joining BvH, what would you tell them about the club?
It’s a friendly, welcoming, inclusive club with something for everyone, whatever your goal or running ability you will find a group to run with. There are coached sessions and a wealth of running experience being shared.