Sutton Runners 10km and Fun Runs
Sutton Runners, attracting runners from the London Borough of Sutton and surrounding areas, was formed in 1982 at the beginning of Britain's running boom. The founder members of the club were all training for that year's London Marathon, and used to meet in the car-park of a local leisure centre.
Since then, things have progressed a little. Currently, the membership stands at about sixty and the club has a permanent base at The Rosehill Pavillion in Sutton. Club nights are Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7.00pm, and all standards of runners are welcome. Many of the more hardy club members also get together on a Sunday for a long run, which usually takes place across the hills of the North Downs in Surrey.
Sutton Runners 10km and Fun RunsFor the past six years, Sutton Runners have organised an annual 10km race and Fun Runs (the latter for younger runners). These have proved quite successsful attracting over two hundred runners every year. This enables the club to make a yearly contribution to a local charity, this time the Trust Bear Necessities Appeal at the local Queen Mary's hospital.
In competition terms, 1996 has been perhaps Sutton Runners' most successful year. As a club, we have entered two relays, competing against many other local clubs (including Wimbledon Windmilers and the 26.2 Running Club), and have gained two first places (Senior Men's and Veteran Men's) and a second place. The two first places were gained at the annual Nonsuch Park LARA Relay - and if you so desire (?!), you can click on the thumbnail below to see a photo of the winning teams (in case you're wondering, I'm the good looking one in the photo!)!
Most Sutton Runners are training so hard that they do not get much time to socialise together. However, in the last year there have been a number of club social events, including a Christmas meal; a successful club trip to the Bourne Valley half marathon; and most recently a barbecue at the house of flying policeman Rob Wiggins.
For further information, please feel free to send e-mail to Jerry. You might even want to request a copy of the latest Sutton Runner's Newsletter, which I edit. Indeed, if there are any other Newsletter editors out there, I'd be interested in hearing from you. Bye for now.
Jerry - September 1996