View from the Chair

We are in a very busy time for us, but I would just like to re-interate what was said at the AGM, that I think we have a fantastic group of people working on all aspects of the club at the moment.

I would like to say a Big Thanks to the Porthkerry Plod team who have now got us up to the eve of the race. Andrew, Rob and Jim have done a great job in getting the support of the Vale of Glamorgan Council and access to the Porthkerry Park, without which it would not be possible to host an event that is such a window to our club.

I would also like to Thank Chris Nellins for the brilliant effort he has made in cajoling and encouraging people to come along marshal and organise on the day, and in advance  would like to say Thanks to those who have made this commitment. I am sure that it will be a suberb event on Sunday 8th May.

Whilst that is going on we also have a small team working on putting together the club's entry in the Welsh Catles Relay. The arrangements for this are now all coming along nicely with the team selected in plenty of time for those selected to getting their training in. Thanks to Anna Helsing, Stella Sturgess, Paul Whitmarsh and Pete Cottnam.

Then on top of all this is the need to renew your membership and I know that Justine and Janice are working hard on getting all this in order. It would be a great help to them if you could download the membership form off the website, complete it and either bring it to club or post it to Justine along with the appropriate cheque.

Well done to the spring marathon runners. Abyd is to update the 'well done' page with all the news once he is back from his well earned rest after his own marathon.

The club championship is well under way and Abyd and Paul Whitmarsh are keeping this up to date on the web page on the web site.

We are at Cogan for the next two club sessions, Tuesday 3rd May (5 mile handicap) and Monday 9th (fartlek around the Bay) then we move to Cosmeston for the summer. So  on Monday 16th May we will be at the Lakes, and to celebrate that we are also going to go to the pub after club for a drink at the Harvester on Lavernock Road.

All the best,

Clem
1st May 2011

A little bit of a sad tone to start this update as we say goodbye to some extent to two Sarahs.

Sarah Davies announced that due to a back injury, not caused by running, she was having to give up running. Sarah has been a member on and off since May 1988, and so well be considered our 'longest' member. She was also a committee member during the early 2000's. We all wish Sarah well and hope that we will see her from time to time at some social events.

Sarah Tudor leaves us for love and a new job as she moves to Olney in Buckinghamshire. Sarah has been a member of club for only five years, but in that time has contributed fantastically being at times a full committee member, where she was responsible for some great social events, and a key member of the Welsh Castles Relay sub-committee. I am sure that we will all want to thank her for all that she has done for the Club, and to wish her well for the future and we may see her from time to time at races around the country.

Still on a happier note we are rapidly approaching a year since the Thursday night informal session become a regular feature. It was about 11th March 2010, that Tim Beswick suggested a session and a visit to the pub. Since then the organisation has been picked up brilliantly by Rob Wilson, who has ensured that there is an opportunity to run with your mates a second time in the week. Thanks to everyone who has been involved with the club on a Thursday evening.

There are also a few important dates on the horizon to mark in your diary; the AGM is set for Monday 4th April after a shortened club session. It is important that as many members attend as this is your chance to have a say in the club.

Then Sunday 8th May we really need all hands on deck as it the first of our own club races, the Porthkerry Plod. Committee is working hard on this, especially Jim, Rob and Andrew whose enthusiasm for the event is brilliant.

Then further away we have also set the date of Wednesday 13th July for the Cosmeston Relays. This year with the growth in club members there should be every chance of having some teams of our own, although of course marshalling duties will have to take first priority.

We are working on the next social event and hope to have something towards the end of March so watch for emails and the website.

Can I also take this opportunity to wish all our spring marathoners well as they enter March and probably a key period in their training. At the moment I think we have people looking forward to Paris, London (April), Belfast, Edinburgh (May) and Pembrokeshire (June). It will be great to hear how they all get on.

Enjoy your running.

Clem

27th February 2011