December 2007  Results

From: Anthony Brindle [mailto:anthony.brindle@orange.fr]
Sent: 17 December 2007 18:15
To: con.mchugh@ntlworld.com
Subject: history

Hello I was pleased to see your web site and to see that something I can say in a small way I was responsible for is so succesfull.When the Post Office and BT social club purchased the club at Northbrook Road I had been a member of Godiva for a few years and was aware that there were people who might like me get to enjoy a not to serious fitness run occassionally .I canvassed a few people within BT and we started meeting each Wednesday night. Within a couple of months through people who new people we quickly developed into a jog a few pints and a game of dominoes society. The early participants I can now recall were Tony Murphy and his son Paul Brothers Ken and Neal Buckenham ?Parkes Neal? of Bill/Bob MOT Joe Brennan [who was elected a life member] Ron and Chris Burden Frank Mone Jon Gould who would run so far then suddenly see a fox or a stoat or rare bird and disappear for ages.Part of my running involved organising both local national and international events for the Post office And BT recreational council. The first formal running event organised by what had then become Nothbrook Striders was an annual yaught handicap for the above midland section. The wives of the few members of the time did a wonderful job providing refreshments for some 90 runners.The colours were chosen basically because they were the cheapest vests we could get at the time that were not colurs of another club.We did get some sponsorship and a number of us competed in the Paris Versailles 10 which was probably nearer to 12. Membership grew and runs started to get competitve, we ran a competion within what was the Henry 8th 10 this was the first club championship race a lad called Dave Roberts was expected to win with Neal and Ken expected to fill the minor places however I will never know tyo this day whether it was fixed or not but I won in for me then an average time of 64 mins something.The group got more and more ambitious and with some advice from me and Im no expert entered the Birmingham marathon it was one of my happiest days after worrying about how they would all fare most finished around the four hour mark and I know some had not done more than 10 in training despite my"expert" coaching.We started to attract better quality runners and it was suggested that the club join the birmingham cross country league . I helped to facilitate this and after a "proper" committe structure was established I left the club , not I may add through any disagreement but simply I was still a member of Godiva and through competing in vets Tand F events realised thats where my strength lay .On leaving the new committe gave me the honour of being its second life member.The badge by the way was not designed by me but by my daughter who won a design the badge competition which was decided by a show of hands. Finally I hope this has been of some use and wish you and all of the members all the very best for the future. Tony Brindle Plevin France

Sneyd Striders Christmas Pudding 10 mile 9/12/7

Full results at www.sneydstriders.org.uk

Midland 7 Plock Court, Gloucester 8/12/7

Women (10 ran)
2    Rebecca Smith        33.19

Men (31 ran)
13    Nathan Holmes        39.45
14    Mick O'Shea           39.47
30    Steve O'Shea          52.45

http://www.midlandathletics.org.uk/Midland7Mresults8Dec2007.pdf