NEW FOREST RUNNERS

Club Origins and Profile

History:-
In September 1981, John Seabrook, a local swimming instructor, decided to run the Sunday Times Hyde Park National Fun Run. He offered to train the members of his adult swimming class so that they could also run. 
Participants in the Fun Run had to enter as a team so John and the others formed the ‘Forest Joggers’. There were about 50 members, including children. Some felt that they were really runners rather than joggers and in October of the same year the ‘Forest Joggers’ was renamed ‘The New Forest Runners’, becoming a club affiliated to the Amateur Athletics Association. The club continued to travel to the Hyde Park Fun Run for several years, filling 3 coaches one year. The outings included many children, the club being very family oriented at that time. However, members joining on later years tended not to bring their children so, as the original children grew up and the family orientation of the club dwindled. From the original 50 the membership has grown to 290.

• The first committee consisted of :

• President John Seabrook

• Captain Peter Dyer

• Coach Colin Clegg

• Secretary Pauline Dyer

• Plus Mary Ford, Jackie Parrish, Marion Trafford and Mike Bruce-Burgess.

• In 1981 the Membership was 50 and it now stands at 290

The first New Forest Ten and Fun Runs.
In 1983 a national campaign to get Britain fit was in progress and the local Wessex Health Authority was offering a £500 grant to organisations planning any event promoting local interest in healthy exercise for all the family. The New Forest Runners applied for the grant and the successful application enabled this first race to take place. The NF 10 although this has always been a money-raising event for charity it was also put on for other running clubs to reciprocate after using their races. The first event attracted some 700 runners. At its peak there were 1200 entrants [980 finishers], with the recent races we attracting over 700 finishers.

The first New Forest Marathon and Half Marathon
1983 was also the first year for the New Forest Marathon and Half Marathon. The Lions Club of New Milton asked the New Forest Runners Club to define the course and advise them about the needs of runners, this advice continues to day. The Lions Club organised the event for the first 5 years, after which the New Forest Marathon Association took over. The New Forest Marathon Association to date comprises of many New Forest Runners on the committee.
In 1983 there were about 800 runners and in 1999 about 1700 runners. It now peaks at over 2000 entrants. Like the NF 10, this event is purely raising money for charity. The other largest charity fundraiser has been the events staged for the BBC’s Children in Need.

RR 10 series
The RR6 league was originally formed in 1984 to promote friendly relationships between six clubs. NFR club was one of the founder members, with Southampton Running club having the original idea. The Southampton  venue was 4.5 miles round Southampton Common. In 1987 the series became the RR8. Although still called the RRI0 series, there are now 12 clubs involved. In the past the ladies team have won this event many times and currently the men’s team have won the event 5 times in a row. There have also been many fine individual performances from Lee Rodriguez, Chris Olden, Anthea Waters, Kathy Bailey who have all actually won their events out right.

Racing on the Continent or any where in the world
Many of the members are often found racing any where in the world. Recently we had 3 members competing in the World master championships in New Zealand . They can also be found racing anywhere between New York to Milford .

Special Relationships
The New Forest Runners have formed special relationship with the Club Athletique Cauchois from the Normandy region in France . Members journey across the Channel to compete in the Tour du Pays de Caux event of 6 races in 4 days which is held annually. Their hospitality is returned when they visit England and participate in events here.

Presidents (Past and Present)

Social Scene
The NFR club has always had a flourishing social calendar where many people have met their partners. Once the serious matter of running is over then the runners can really start to enjoy themselves. It is always good to see the non-running partners joining in our social events, which have always been very varied. A selection includes; barn dances, quizzes, Splash nights, barbecues, walks, cycling etc.

And finally . . . . . . . .
In 1982, Club President, Mike RYAN was quoted in our club magazine, the “Runners Rag” as saying “The aim of the club is running for pleasure and to cater for all ages and abilities – everyone from the serious marathon runner to the casual jogger are equally welcome.”

It is obvious that the good intentions of the club are still being pursued.

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