Committee Members
Clare and Bob - Joint-Chairs
Clare - Joint-Chair
I am another one who was put off running by school cross country!!
My sport from 9 yrs old was badminton which I enjoyed and excelled at for 30+ years until my knees and then subsequently shoulders told me to give up.
I decided to try running and after a few solo runs I thought I needed support and motivation of a group to keep the running up, so I found and signed up to Mole Valley Runners in 2019. I joined, when I could around work, the Monday morning social plodders runs around Bookham Common. My progress was slow but well supported by the run leaders and other MVR members. MVR is more than a running club as I have also made many new friends through MVR over the years.
Now my life is full of running, well it would be if I had not ruptured my left knee ACL skiing earlier this year, but I plan to be back out there on the trails in a few months.
Without the support of MVR I would not have achieved 50 parkruns, the Great South Run three times and even completed the London Marathon in 2023 (something I never thought was possible a few years ago).
I am excited to be able to give back to club by taking on a co-chair role alongside Bob.
Bob - Joint-Chair and Run Leader (LiRF)
Having excelled at cross-country running at school, I quit the sport at 16 when it was no longer mandatory. I didn’t run again until I was 49. Then a couple of friends invited me to join them on a casual run near Norbury Park. Soon after I entered a 3k fun run in Leatherhead followed by the 8-mile breakfast run in Kingston and I was hooked!
My enjoyment of running hit new heights in October 2019 when I joined Mole Valley Runners and started to run with a great group of people on Monday and Thursday mornings and Tuesday evenings. I then started to join the park runs on Saturdays and before long I was running half-marathons and even the London Marathon!
The benefits of running can sometimes come as a surprise. I remember running through a railway station with heavy luggage to catch a train and, as soon as I boarded the train, my breathing immediately returned to normal. What happened to all that gasping and panting that I used to do? Also, I seem to have a lot of energy, I eat well without gaining weight and I sleep like a log. Not bad returns for such an easily affordable and accessible sport.
Charlotte - Club Secretary
My running journey began in April 2004, giving myself a year to train for the 2005 and 25th London Marathon. I myself was 25 when I ran it and hadn’t ever run before apart from the odd cross country which I hated. I was inspired after watching it the previous year and said (probably after a few wines) I am going to do that and raise lots of money for the Princess Alice Hospice where my lovely Grandma spent her final days.
So I joined Epsom Allsorts running club as that’s all that was around then and also trained regularly with a family friend, Graham Leather, who was in his late 60’s and had himself done many marathons. I feel I owe a lot to him and he is the reason I will keep running, especially as he always asks me.
For many years after I kept up running on and off, probably more off though as once I had done the Marathon had no focus really then tad dah along came MVR. I joined plodders at Polesden Lacey in early 2017 and the rest is history as they say.
I am probably what they say, a sporadic runner, just because life and work get in the way and I will often say I am not enjoying it but I do really. My years so far with MVR have been brilliant and inspiring. I have made some great friends, completed many races including the Royal Parks Half and the Great South Run and ran with Dame Kelly Holmes! And now I have actually made it on the committee, really this is a ploy to stop me from quitting….
Anyway I will stop waffling but all that is left to say is this is a running club like no other, it’s the best and I am very proud to be a part of it and in sharing everyone’s amazing achievements. Even though I have been running for years, I am very slow and steady and will always love the party at the back.
Sue - Membership Secretary
Having hated running at school I found myself in late 2016 joining a beginners group, which was later to become plodders, doing a 0-5K plan. I love getting out in the countryside and exercising so I thought why not give it a go and try something new.
It wasn’t till MVR was formed that it became a really social activity for me, an opportunity to meet new people whilst exercising, that I became a regular runner.
I would describe myself as a social runner, although I dabble with the odd race, and even found myself completing the Southampton marathon in 2022.
I love that Mole Valley Runners is so welcoming and supportive to everyone regardless of their ability.
Carolynn - Treasurer and Run Leader (LiRF)
I have tried to “get into running” for years but never found any consistency and lost confidence again and again. I finally decided to find a running group and came across Mole Valley Runners. After dithering for several weeks, I finally gave myself a kick up the backside and found the most amazing bunch of people. As I was not able to run 5K at the time, my ultimate goal was to do a 10K. With the friendship, support and encouragement of MVR I have smashed my goal and now often run half marathons with some marathons and the odd ultra thrown in. My future goals are to try to get a bit faster on all distances although it is running with friends that motivates me the most.
Vicki - Welfare Officer and Run Leader (LiRF)
I used to run at school, I was one of those who actually liked cross country. Me and my friends used to race each other to the finish. That was when I was 11. Unfortunately, I then became ill and was diagnosed with leukaemia. The treatment made running difficult and I struggled with sport, but I still enjoyed it and still ran the 800m and the relay in sports day. Even though I was last. I didn't really do any sport outside of school until me and my mum decided to enter the Sport Relief Mile in 2008. We were so pleased that we managed to run the whole mile together. I can't remember when I started running more often but map my run shows 2014. I think I entered a triathlon, beginners distance. I then started parkrun with my husband Tony and my mum. Since then I've done 3 triathlons, I even got my mum to do one. 100 Parkruns. 2 half marathons and the amazing Great South Run 10 mile. Thanks to Mole Valley Runners, I can enjoy the social side of running. I joined after chatting to Louise about it. I came along for the Thursday morning bacon run and really enjoyed it. Although, I think it was the muddiest run ever. I usually run on a Tuesday night plodders and parkrun on Saturday. My husband Tony has also joined. Thanks MVR.
Greg - Assistant Welfare Officer and Run Leader (LiRF)
I did not consider my self a runner until after my 60th birthday although I did lots of other sports. My earlier running experience was all about getting a medal and after finishing the race I would stop running again, often for over a year. I used to find running a chore….it was always hard.
During lockdown I started running again and eventually found my way into Mole Valley Runners. I now run regularly but rarely do an organised event.
I run for the joy of being outdoors and have been amazed how easy it feels when it becomes part of your life rather than a single goal.
The surrey hills is a fabulous area to run, especially the trails, and the Mole Valley Runners is a really supportive running group no matter what level you are. It’s a great place to start your running journey….and who knows where it will take you?
It’s never too late.
Mark - Marketing & Committee Support and Run Leader (LiRF)
I started running in early 2007. After 3 runs and not being able to run around the block, I decided to set myself a challenge, so I got myself a charity place in the 2008 London Marathon. I taught myself how to run and did all of the training mainly on my own and got myself around London. I ran lots of races from 2008 to 2011, but then in 2012, my health took a bad turn for the worse. After 8 years in and out of hospital and thinking that I would never be able to run again, I took up running again and joined MVR. The welcome and support I received was just fantastic. It took me a while to be able to get back to running a 10k non stop, but I got there! Strangely, the Covid outbreak ended up really helping me. I was suddenly unable to be admitted into hospital every 3 weeks for my treatment as it was too risky and I was moved to weekly blood infusions at home. Despite feeling rough half the time, the other half of the week I feel great, so I've worked really hard on my fitness and have managed to get myself up to marathon distance again. I completed one impromptu marathon with Simon during last summer, the virtual London Marathon in October, and then a 44km run on my 44th birthday in March 2021. I definitely wouldn't have been able to achieve any of that without all of the wonderful support and friendships that I've gained through MVR! I can't wait to run with more of you soon and I'm looking for my next running challenge, so if anyone's got any suggestions, let me know!
Sarah - Webmaster and Run Leader (LiRF)
I'd run for fitness when I was younger, but got back into it with a Couch to 5k in 2018, going on to run parkruns and 10ks, and explore the Greensand Hills and the south side of Ranmore with my dog and local friends. In the run-up to COVID, I qualified as a Run Leader, and was also lured by the offer of a full cooked breakfast to up my distance and run the Leith Hill Half, the last 'normal' thing I did before lockdown.
There then followed a very very long time of running on the same trails every day, so as soon as I got the chance, I took the plunge and joined MVR for a chance to go somewhere new.
MVR has been fantastic, not only for exploring, but for new friendships, support and encouragement. There's always something going on!