Harlow Running Club

I first took up running back in 1986 when, after struggling to run for a bus, I decided it was time to get fit!  I was 21. 

For the next 5 years I ran on my own, taking on all the distances including the London and Harlow marathons.  It was in 1991 that I finally joined Harlow Running club. I had the same trepidations as anyone else joining, that is “I wouldn’t be good enough for a club”.  Those thoughts were soon banished. I was welcomed by the likes of Pasquale, Graham Pugh and the Stevens, as well as many others, and I was soon racing regularly in all distances and terrains.

Since then I’ve achieved many goals with the club including running several marathons abroad, team event successes and running the sort of landmark personal bests that I thought only “other” runners could achieve.  I’ve made many good friends in the club-in fact most of my best friends have come from the club (they know who they are). Most importantly, the club has become a big part of my life and, whenever I’ve had personal problems, I’ve found that running has been my salvation.

In recent years my work commitments have partly restricted my time at the club but I still find the time when it really matters.  I’m in my second stint as Men’s team captain and I’m proud of that-I still get a little tingle when I put that vest on and line up for a race, after more than 18 years.

By the way, I did catch that bus...

I have only recently joined Harlow Runners but I cannot be described as a “novice” – I have been running for more years than I care to count but, over recent years, I tend to avoid “road” racing and prefer “off-road” events. Some time ago, I started doing long-range navigational type events, primarily in the mountains (Lake District, Brecons etc).

Joanne Chung

I joined Harlow running club in May 2008, having just had my third child I was eager to get fit and lose weight.  My brother was already a member and encouraged me to come along.  I had relatively little experience of running, so started in the beginners group on Tuesday evenings, after a few weeks I moved up to the main group on Tuesday and Thursdays.  I was almost scared off though in that first week by a five mile handicap and seven mile cross-country run!  However I did return the next week and haven’t looked back since. 

Over the past 10 months my fitness has improved more than I could ever have expected.  I have gone from struggling to complete a 5K run to entering 10k, 10 mile and half marathon races.  All of which I finished in times better than expected.   I guess you could say I really have caught the running bug, something I couldn’t have done without the support of the club and its many members, and also a very understanding husband.  Thank you Gavin!

Vicky Steadman

Vicky joined HRC in 2006. Vicky says ‘I had been running on my own since 2000, and generally entered a half marathon every year. In 2006 I ran the London Marathon for St Clare Hospice, and HRC were very helpful with offering advice and allowing us to share their transport to the Silverstone HM and the Marathon. My husband and I then decided to join HRC, even though it wasn’t our local club, as they had been so welcoming. As a couple, training with HRC allows us to run at our different paces and still have company without me holding my husband back! Since joining HRC I have got PBs at every distance and have improved my HM time by 14 mins and my marathon time by 26 mins. I am a regular at club social events, and particularly enjoy the summer pub runs!’

David Croly

I joined Harlow running club a year ago, after moving from London. Previously I would run on London roads (dodging traffic) and along canals (dodging push bikes). Not very pleasant experiences. I was running alone, twice a week up to 50 mins, whenever  the mood took. When I joined HRC, I was running with a club for the first time ever and unsure if I could reach an acceptable standard. Having struggled doing a 10k in 2007, I found the encouragement from HRC members and Steve the coach made me want to run more on a regular basis, run further, and improve. It does help to dig deep when encouraged, and feeling, it’s not just for me but for the club also. My running has improved so much, after finishing 2 half marathons this year, I would love to try a marathon. My only regret is, I should have been doing this years ago. I really look forward to weekly training sessions, and Sunday morning long runs. My sons have seen how much my life has changed for the better, (health and fitness) they now both run, with my youngest a new club member. Moving from London, it’s also nice to find out where are the best pubs to run from and the HRC have also solved that problem. Thank you, HRC.