Mickleover Running Club
Chairs Report

I remember writing the report for 2017, having been Chair for 5 months, wondering where the previous year had gone.

The Club had gained full EA affiliation and we had spent that year getting to know each other, doing a bit of running and seeing the club grow month-on-month.

As we entered 2018 with a growing number of members there was clearly work to be done.

It was apparent that we needed to formalise some of the structure and systems to support this growth but also to ensure that we adhered to the requirements of England Athletics and the wider policies required of any small club or organisation.

In some ways the current Committee have taken the brunt of establishing these essential but not very exciting systems.

Being a young club we were also trying to figure out exactly what sort of club we were, trying to adapt to the people joining and coming running with us, and at times trying to cater for everyone but tying ourselves in knots a little in the process.

Over the last 12-months or so though we have evolved into quite the competitive little club, with most members looking to take part in events, some less experienced than others, but none the less wanting to try and experience their first 10k or half marathon – and some further than that.

So whilst the Committee have been the proverbial Swan, gliding on top whilst kicking away under the water, the Club has continued to go from strength to strength, and the 2018 membership renewal rates reflect that.

We must be doing something right as you’ve kept coming back.

With membership maintaining a good level in 2018 growth has very much been organic.

There has been no need at this current point in time to proactively advertise the Club – this being achieved through the visibility of our members in their kit at various local events and through word of mouth.

I’m pretty sure there are no more family members left to join from the Dolman – Tomlinson contingent!

Wearing the kit means you are representing the Club and I’m always encouraged and proud when I hear people say what a friendly bunch we are.

My personal goal has always been to ensure that people, whatever their interaction with us is, can be confident that they will receive a welcoming smile and will be put at ease should they decide to come on a club run and try us out.

Seeing how supportive and friendly people are, either on social media or during club runs is incredibly fulfilling and demonstrates to me that the ethos of the club is being maintained across the membership.

Reflecting back on the kit, we have a good range of winter and summer wear available and this year we added caps and an upgraded hoody and zoody.

We make a very marginal profit on the clothing and on most items only cover the shipment and admin fees.

In future, as we look to ensure the clubs sustainability, such as paying for the Run-Leader training courses, sourcing items such as trophies, flags, tents etc. the future committee may need to consider additional funding options and income streams to help maintain and grow this area, whilst always being mindful that we do not over charge or be cost prohibitive.

Of course, whilst all the background activity goes on, the focal point and regular activity remains the Club Runs.

The Club Run schedule and Run Leader approach continues to be a cause for deliberation, organisation and adaptation.

Trying to adapt/meet the needs of the differing group sizes and paces as well as making sure runs are managed and led such that everyone grasps the concept of mustering / run backs keeps us on our toes.

The current focus is building up the pool of Run Leader and Support team so that the responsibility doesn’t fall on the small number of people currently available.

We are looking at increasing the trained Run-Leader pool and at the last open meeting a few people volunteered to help out and learn more – but we remain keen to hear from people who would like to help out in this area.

Without the Run Leaders we simply wouldn’t have runs to offer – pretty fundamental for a running club.

It goes without saying that Ross, Alan and Raj have provided the majority of the club Run-Leading responsibilities this last year, for which the club is incredibly grateful.

Holding the open club meeting last November proved a great success and the future committee will ensure that these open forums are maintained.

This club is about it’s members and for its members – you help drive what we do and don’t do and we actively encourage discussion, constructive feedback and comment.

In return we hope that this encourages you to help out where you can, be involved and ultimately we look to the membership to join and work with the committee and Run Leader roles in the future.

Back to the running - the Club Champs has proved to be a success again and Alan, wearing the Club Captain hat continued to manage, coordinate and lead from the front when it comes to monitoring and reminding us of the local events that the club can and does take part in.

The Derby XC Mini League has proved appealing to our inner-child of getting muddy – less so our inner teenager thankfully who probably hated the freezing cold XC back in our school days.

It’s given many a taste of a different type of running (i.e. moving away from the road) and confidence that trails and XC are open for all to experience and enjoy.

This past year also saw many members experience new running achievements, whether it was running further than they had before, entering their first organised formal event, having the confidence to run further afield or run faster than they have before.

Hopefully much of that has been achieved as a result of joining the club. Like many, I certainly am feeling financially poorer but richer for the memories (pause for ‘ahhhh’) 😊

So as the Clubs second full-year comes to a close there’s an air of change. Some of us on the Exec Committee, having been involved for the last two years are ready to move aside and let someone one else lead the charge.

When I joined the Club on its very first run out I never imagined or planned to be its Chair.

I am proud as to what we’ve achieved so far, however I do recognise that my own personal circumstances have changed such that I do not have the time I would like to dedicate to the club in the way that it needs.

I would like to thank the current committee members for all their time and effort and look forward to supporting the new committee as it takes the club forward into 2019 and beyond.

Here we go ...

I hope we have all recovered from the excitement of the AGM but unfortunately I didn’t manage to drop writing items for the newsletter.

So again, you will have my various mutterings of events, results etc.

Results:

The first major event of the year was the 3rd race in the DRXC held at Allestree Park last weekend.

Firstly, a thank you to all who took part in the race in what was a tough little course under conditions that seemed to present other issues.

What this race also showed was the need to have as many members run as possible, as we had what one could say was a slightly weakened team, but a team in both the Men & Ladies got out.

So based on the provisional results, Aaron was our first runner home in 29th, with Ross not too far behind, with Wilf, John and Marc making into the top 100.

Just behind these and being counters for the team were: Al, Ian R and Clive.

We must not forget Ray and Rob as well in making 10 Male Runners.

As for the Ladies, it will be surprise in that Emma was our first counter in 8th, Vicky ‘I am not racing due to Wilmot’ in 33rd, with Kellie & Rowan (welcome back Row) making up the 4 counters.

Once again a mention to Jacqui, Kathryn and Tina for running as well.

On the day, the Men were 8th, the Ladies 5th and Mixed 8th again, and so overall after 3 races, the Men are 8th, Ladies 5th (1 point behind both Peel & South Derbys) – fantastic running Ladies, while in the Mixed category we are 8th.

Please remember this year, South Derbys, Hatton Darts & Derwent are out in force and are topping the tables in the 3 categories.

Ok, the big announcement – Runner if the Day (not discussed this with Vicky – sorry :S), but firstly to Aaron for leading the team home, and secondly to Tina – she has not been well over Xmas & NY – so to come back to a XC and get round is a credit to her!

The Wilmot Wonder

The Wilmot Wonder is an Ultra race with Adrian, Kel, Vicky & John took part in and you may have seen them running round today in this 32mile event.

coming up

The next DRXC is very soon – 10th Feb, but there has been a change of venue.

It is back at the Equestrian Centre in Anslow: Wild Wood Lodge, Bushton Lane, Anslow, Burton On Trent, Staffs De13 9ql – 10.30 start and the cost is £6.

This is a nice little course and is the same one we did back in Oct – so we will have the water feature again (ok – what are the odds that I will fall?)

Can we please car share as parking is very tight, thus – can we meet at the HC for 9.00 (but do not park there!) to try and share.

Club Run Calendar

Please use the link below for all our planned club runs in the coming month.

See Club Run Calendar

Club Dog Walk

Small mention to the Club Dog Walk Brigade on 3rd Feb at 2pm, meeting outside the Church in Etwall (you can attend without a dog) and join in on the walk.

On the same day, Alan will be trotting round Ticknall in the Winter Bash – 10m off road & self-navigated.

PHOTO OF THE FORTNIGHT

Photo of the fortnight is Malcolm Gatenby in Dubai, post Mararthon.

Well done Malcolm and great time.

Livingston Relays

This is another team relay event, but unlike the HH – it is very much more competitive with the big clubs from Leics & Derbys taking part.

Last year, MRC entered 4 teams (2 Men & 2 Ladies) and more than held out own and those that did run very much enjoyed our day out.

This year the event is on Sun 5th May, and if interested please let me or Vicky know – but it would be good to put out teams again?

HH UPDATE

Following on from the weekend and the shambles of the booking system for the Hairy Helmet and subsequent communications with the organisers, where MRC was initially allocated 3 teams for the event – much less than we had hoped.

I have had another update, and now we are back up to 5, which was the initial offer made last Sunday, so fantastic news.

However, I have a list of 40+ names and having discussed the best option with Vicky, Ross & Tracey, we feel the best way forward is to place everyone who wanted to take part in the HH in a hat and draw out 20 names.

Those 20 will be offered a place in the HH teams – all to be mixed and to go out and have fun – maybe fancy dress with a theme across all teams (Star Wars? Disney, or whatever you fancy as a team)?

I will email the 20 members concerned to offer them a place, as well as any cost of entry.

I hope you are all happy with this approach, but feel this is the best approach to the situation.

Beckie & Nic rasing money for Sense

We are running the London Marathon fundraising for Sense, a charity that believes that no one, no matter how complex their disabilities, should be isolated, left out, or unable to fulfil their potential.

Their experts offer personalised support through their centres, holidays and short breaks, or in people’s own homes.

They are here for everyone who needs them, for as long as they need them – providing early intervention for children, helping young people access education, and supporting the transition into adulthood and beyond.

This is a huge challenge, and Nic’s FIRST MARATHON!!!!!!

Official Charity Page