Club news

As we head towards Christmas and the end of another year wanted to take a moment to say a massive thank you to everyone who has helped in any way with the club over the last year and to all those that have joined us for runs over what has been another difficult year for everyone and the club.

 

For me, one of the main aims for 2021 was to get the club back operating again  after losing much of 2020 due to the pandemic, the year started with us not being able to hold runs for January, February and much of March, but finally with gentle steps we returned with a new timetable of runs.

 

In April 2021, as we restarted runs the average number of runners on each run was just over 10 it has now risen to over 15 so people are returning and last month, November we had 135 runs in the club, which was down a little on the previous month as the beginner’s courses finished. This is all with great work from the run lead team that we have, (if anyone wants to join this fab people, to be on a rota or start a new run then just let us know).

 

Our Under 18s section has returned and continues to build with them taking part in events and many doing the Cross Country

 

Alongside, the regular runs we have in the club in 2021 we have been also able to hold 20 beginners’ groups with over 250 runners starting with these groups, we had to limit numbers to make sure we followed restrictions, but that means lots more people have been able to start the running journey with Redway Runners and enjoy graduating. We also held two Need for Speed courses and a Move up to 10K and a Move up to Marathon course

 

Our Events team got back in business with 374 taking up the challenge of 24 hour running with MK24, Furzton Relay returned, together with Beat the Barge and the Old Money run, plus we held a special event at Daytona with the Decade run and Party to mark 10 Years of Redway Runners, then to round of the year it was our fun event the Santa Saunter, a massive amount of work goes into staging each of these events for the club

 

Yes, this year marked 10 years of the Redway Runners and we started the year with the publication of our book, but also made pledges for 20 in 20, held the Decade run and Party, plus had a special hoody marking 10 years of Redway Runners.

 

Charity, the club in difficult times still managed to raise £5,778 for the club Charity of the Year MKAct

 

At races and events, Redway Runners have been well represented at local and events all round the world again this year with the Cross Country league, MK Marathon with over 300 taking part, we put out five teams for the Round MK Relay but it seems wherever you go to do a race a Redway Runners runner will be taking part

 

The parkruns finally returned in July, and we introduced as well our Saturday event reports, Sue started a popular weekly roundup, was good to see a new parkrun start with the Bury Field parkrun in Newport Pagnell, plus we have so far held two parkrun road trips to Buckingham and then to Dunstable Downs to join their Club Run Day.

 

Behind the scenes plenty is always happening that is often not seen in getting the club back, the AGM took place in May, we have recently reviewed the club storage and moved to a bigger site that gives us better access for what we need and work has been completed to move hosting on our MK24 website to bring this into our control. We had two coaches to the London Marathon and had Performance kit ordering windows. Managing the club membership system is a constant activity behind the scenes as well as several other activities need maintaining and managing.

 

A number of Special Event runs happened with the Drama run recreating the famous bare knuckle fight that took place in Hanslope between Scotland and Ireland, we even made it to ITV news with our re-enactment. This was followed by ‘The Green National’ a special run that went behind the scenes of a horse racing farm.

 

The club acquired in Newland a Remembrance bench for our members and we held a special service to remember runners who no longer run amongst us

 

Would you like to get involved, already mentioned helping with runs, but have you had an idea for something the club should do and would be willing to make it happen then get in touch, this is where some of the best ideas come from – make it happen

 

Redway Runners has always been a community running club and had four key principle of being fun, social, benefit of runners and value for money again in 2021 we have stuck to these pribciples.

 

Finally, just to say that none of the things above could not happen without all the people that give up their time for free to support the club and many give up a lot of time, but whatever it is, it is really appreciated and possibly do not say it enough but THANK YOU.

 

Watch out for our photo review of 2021 next week

 

MERRY GREEN CHRISTMAS

 

Have a watch of our runners photos of the year below