APRIL 2020 – Dave Powner
April 2020- Dave Powner
How long have you been a member of Bournville Harriers ? I joined 5 years ago.
If you see me in the Pavilion Bar you can buy me a …………. The guest ale is usually what i would go for, but always happy with the Wolf Rock IPA.
Favourite Racing Distance ? I’m torn between 10Km and a Half Marathon. So maybe it would be 10 miles if there were more of them about.
Favourite Race/Event ? I’ve not raced in twelve months now, apart from XC in February , and that absence makes it really easy to identify your favourite events-the one’s you’re most upset about having to miss. The one i missed most was Chillington Hall Half Marathon. It’s a very tough trail race, just outside Wolverhampton. The first time i ran it, i was nearly crying by the end. The second time, i knew what to expect and it was probably my best ever race performance. So it was tough to miss it last year , and of course it has been cancelled this year too, so it’s now an agonising wait until next year to return!
Proudest Moment as a Runner ? I’ve not got any specfic moments or races i can point to, but i’m so proud of everything i achieved in 2018. I raced at eight different distances from 400m to Half Marathon, and PB’d at four of them between 1 mile and 10 miles.
And the same year, outside of actually racing , there’s a couple of running related achievements in that i’m so proud of , they will make it onto my CV, should i ever want to write one again!
If you were trying to entice someone into joining BvH, what would you tell them about the club? We have a wide range of ability and experience across the club. Our members come from a broad age range, and represent the club at all race distances from sprints to ultra marathons, and at all levels from social to national. We continue to grow our expertise, and expand what we provide across the club. We value all our members, and you’ll be part of the greatest team spirit imaginable!
MAY 2020- Suz West
How long have you been a member of Bournville Harriers? 8 years
If you see me in the Pavilion Bar, you can buy me a……….. Jack Daniels and Coke
Favourite Racing distance? I’m not sure right now. I would have said half marathon, but I have an ongoing injury that flares up after a certain distance. Also, I’m struggling to regain my fitness after my operations a few years ago. I was keen to focus on 10K this year, so probably 10K at the moment.
Favourite Race/Event? Favourite event London Marathon, fabulous atmosphere, iconic race! If I never ran again I’d be happy to know I did it six times.
Proudest moment as a runner? That’s hard. But finishing my first marathons up there. However, finishing 8th at Thunder Run is my biggest achievement.
If you were trying to entice someone into joining Bournville Harriers, what would you tell them about the club? Well, over the last eight years I have done this a few times. It’s worked and they are still with the club. Probably come along, give it a go. We are friendly, versatile and you won’t regret it!
JUNE 2020 – Claire Daniels
How long have you been a member of Bournville Harriers? 2 years
If you see me in the Pavilion bar , you can buy me a …………. nice cold pint of lager
Favourite racing distance? Absolutely a 10km
Favourite race/event? The Alcester 10km, Fabulous event – with a cider station at 7km
Proudest moment as a runner? Finishing Liverpool half marathon, comfortably and with a new PB!
If you were trying to entice someone into joining Bvharriers what would you tell them about the club? If you want to join a really friendly club that will help train you, push you and help you to be the best you can be then this is the place, the training I’ve received is very valuable but the friendships I’ve made are priceless. It’s not just a club, it’s a community, a way of life . . . .a family
July 2020 Mike Woodall
* How long have you been a member of Bournville Harriers?
Around 3 years. I joined before my first marathon to help with training.
* If you see me in the Pavilion bar , you can buy me a ………….
It’s been a long time since I’ve been in there but they did have a red ale that was nice before lockdown. So if it’s still on then one of them would be good.
* Favourite racing distance?
I like the training for a marathon but prefer to race a half. It seems to be the right blend of hard but achievable.
* Favourite race/event?
Birmingham marathon. It was my first marathon and I enjoyed the journey there on the Teal bus. I ran the whole route with a friend and it was great experience. The support was excellent. I got to see my wife twice outside the British Oak, which was amazing, and the cheering station at the top of Selly Park Road.
*Proudest moment as a runner?
Getting a PB at the Worcester Half Marathon. It was 2 weeks after I’d got a PB at Kenilworth and everything seemed to go right. I got to the hill at 8 miles and everything felt good so managed to speed up for the last few miles.
*If you were trying to entice someone into joining Bvharriers what would you tell them about the club?
The coaching is excellent and my running has improved significantly since joining the club. I’ve also met some great friends and enjoyed running with a lot of new people over the last 3 years.
Xenofon V Gogouvitis August 2020
* How long have you been a member of Bournville Harriers? I’m fairly new to the club as I joined in April 2019
*If you see me in the Pavillion Bar, you can buy me a ……….. I don’t frequent alcohol serving establishments unless we are celebrating something! If that is the case, then a pint of Guinness will suffice although I am partial to a JD on the rocks.
*Favourite racing distance? I like them all (bar the 10k) but if I had to choose one distance, it would be the half marathon; it seems that the combination of endurance & speed suits me best. At least I feel like I’m racing it!
*Favourite race/event? I have to go with my home events so the Birmingham Great Run and the Athens Marathon are the two events closest to my heart (and the ones I’ve run most).
*Proudest moment as a runner ? I don’t take much pride in running itself; it’s just putting one foot in front of the other!
*If you were trying to entice someone into joining Bvharriers what would you tell them about the club? Inclusive environment, willing members, good training sessions, competitive inside and outside of races. If I had to summarise, I’d use the moto of a famous Catalan football team: “More than a club”!
Grant Newman September 2020
How long have you been a member of Bournville harriers? I joined in November 2017
If you see me at the Pavilion bar you can buy me a. ……………….. A Rum and coke or a Pint of San Miguel.
Favourite racing distance? Tough one, Errrmmm… -10k. But I have recently got into my 5k and loving the short sharp effort runs. You can finish earlier too right!!.
Favourite race/event? I have two.
1: I really enjoy the Alcester 10 k for its rural running. A really well organised run too, a good goody bag. On top of this you are offered a free beer when you finish.
2, Shakespeare Half Marathon. I’ve run this event twice and, so many BVH run this or even come up just to take the atmosphere in. What’s not to like about running around in Stratford running past houses you can only dream to afford. Post race I like all the tents and stalls set up which make it a proper event for taking in the day itself.
Proudest moment as a runner? Being greeted by my daughter Ellie at the finish of the Birmingham Half Marathon in 2016. The weather was terrible on the day of the run and it was a hard slog getting around but it cheered me up seeing her at the finish.
If you were trying to entice someone into joining Bournville harriers what would you tell them about the club? We are a social and all inclusive bunch. We have runners of all abilities and even our faster ones are happy to go out and run with beginners when they first join. I look forward to the day we can get back running together for our Monday night club runs 😊.
Thomas Kirby October 2020
How long have you been a member of Bournville Harriers? About 3 years
If you see me at the Pavilion bar you can buy me a……………… Coffee
Favourite racing distance? I haven’t got a specific racing distance. I just enjoy running.
Favourite race/event? When i ran my first ever 10K with not much training. I just went for it!
Proudest moment as a runner? Has to be my recent virtual London Marathon, because no matter what barriers were in front of me, my sheer grit got me through to finish it.
If you were trying to entice someone into joining Bvharriers what would you tell them about the club? Its like a big running family and you will be supported with your running.
GUY MARSTON November 2020
How long have you been a member of Bvharriers? Three and a half years.
If you see me in the Pavilion bar you can buy me…………….. a pint of lager if it’s social/flat coke for racing
Favourite racing distance? Anything ultra
Favourite race/event? Race to the tower, but as an event Badgers 10K for the Bournville picnic afterwards
Proudest moment as a runner? Completing the Autumn 100
If you were trying to entice someone into joining Bvharriers what would you tell them about the club? It truly lives by the club values:
Performance-amazing coaches
Participation-teal army at cross country and road relays
Encouragement-Cow bells! (The loudest club)
Enjoyment-so many happy memories racing, training and socially (distanced or not)
CLARE MULLIN DECEMBER 2020
How long have you been a member of Bvharriers?
Since July 2014 wow time flies when you’re having fun!
If you see me at the Pavilion bar you can buy me a. ………………..
Pint of their guest real ale.
Favourite racing distance?
It’s got shorter over the years. Like many mid paced runners I started thinking the longer races were more me and I’ve done 8 marathons over the years but given my performance, success and training required I’d say a half or 10K is my favourite distance now.
Favourite race/event?
Everyone who knows me knows I love parkrun! Our club events are fantastic the fun Pyjama Pursuit, competitive Killer Mile and our popular Leafy 10K race. Local races Wythall and Hollywood 10K, Wyre Forest Half and the Road Relays. Going to races together and encouraging other Harriers has been a real highlight of being part of the club.
Proudest moment as a runner?
My PB at Wythall and Hollywood 10K in 54:23 back in 2017. More recently getting a complete A-Z of parkruns.
If you were trying to entice someone into joining Bvharriers what would you tell them about the club?
As I’ve been known to tell passing runners! We are a very friendly club that caters to all paces and has a real range of runners who enjoy, road, cross country, trail, 5Ks through to ultras. Our coaching is fantastic and has really helped improve my performance. We have great team spirit and brilliant social events. I’ve had loads of support as Mental Health Champion for the club.