Graham Harper - Webmaster

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Category: Club Officers

Graham Harper 

I was on the committee for 18 years and after 5 years of being Chair I stepped down in Feb 2022 but remain until 2025 as an ordinary committee member. Still looking after the website - for now!

Unlike some of the others committee members I haven't 'always run' in fact I left starting running a little late.. well, very late. Someone I worked with ran the London Marathon and I think I was almost jealous. When the marathon was on the telly I almost resented the fact that another year had gone by and I couldn't run one mile let alone 26! I've never been sporty, never go to the gym but eventually I started to run a little bit - first a mile, then nearly two....

I entered my first ever 10k at age 50 and was quite surprised that not only was I not last but I did pretty well. Runners come in all shapes, sizes and ages it seems. Why didn't I start running earlier? 

Eventually I plucked up the courage to join the Arrows club and immediately found I was running faster and enjoying it more and more just through running with other people and getting tips, support and encouragement too.

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League Manager

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Category: Club Officers

Louise Crosby - Club League Manager

I have been running on and off for most of my life with varying degrees of commitment, but only began to take it seriously in the last 15 years. Watching the London marathon in 2003, I wistfully commented on how amazing it would be to run it, only for my children to look at me sadly and say ‘It’s a shame you’re too old’… I eventually got a place in 2007 at the age of 47 and was hooked!

I have since discovered just how enjoyable it is to be in a club with the support, motivation and challenges it brings. I have learnt that running races that are ‘not my distance’; trying to keep up with the faster runners on club nights; leading groups and encouraging people to try new things; mixing up my training and running regularly brings lovely rewards and keeps me enthusiastic and motivated. I also found that even mud and hills can be fun when you are part of a team.

We run for different reasons and at different levels, and the thing I love about the Arrows club is that we pride ourselves on being friendly and sociable as well as offering activities to encourage those that are more competitive. Having spent the last few years as Ladies Captain, I am now developing my coaching skills and looking forward to contributing to the development of the club.

The club is always receptive to new initiatives or feedback on how we can do things better. If you have some ideas please speak to me any time or contact me.