2009 Update

2009 has been a wonderful year for Broughton Runners! We now have nearly 30 members between the ages of 9 and 17, and on an average Tuesday night over 20 of them will turn up to train. These numbers have been sustained even now that we are training in the dark either from Eccleriggs or the Victory Hall. The vast majority live in or around the town and we now attract a quarter of all Broughton kids in the age range!

Over half of them have been competing either in fell races, orienteering events, or cross country races and this year there have been far too many successes to list here. Broughton Runners have won County Championships; have been picked for North West development squads; and have gained South Lakes and Cumbria vests. Two of our members have represented England at the World Schools Orienteering Championships in Madrid. Both Megan Beard and Jack Wright, long time Broughton Runners, did themselves proud against worldwide competition. Jack was also chosen for a Great Britain Junior Training Camp, and thanks are due to those  organisations which supported his attendance financially, including the Duddon Parish Trust Fund.

Thanks are also due to Eccleriggs Leisure, who allow us to run around the grounds and use the facilities throughout the winter months. The Parsonage Room plays host to the group from March to September, and we are also grateful to the Victory Hall committee for our fortnightly use in the winter.

The most significant development however has been that we now have five regular adult helpers, Sue Lomas and Richard Beard having joined the team. This makes it possible to cater for as many youngsters as we do, and means that at the moment we don’t have to operate a waiting list.  Recently a parent from Millom phoned on a Monday evening, and the following night the youngster was running with us.

Our coaches continue to add to their qualifications, and both Lecky and Val now have the specialist Fellrunning Level 2 badge – among the first batch of 20 in the country to gain this award from British Athletics.

Another group of our newer recruits have now received their club kit – waterproof jackets and trousers, grant aided by the Agnes Dixon Trust, the Parish Pump and the Duddon Trust. This isn’t necessary to make them run faster! But it does help them to feel identified and to be proud of themselves. These kids are a brilliant group to work with: they work hard; they are determined, tough and confident; they wont give up for anybody or anything – and above all they have the very best fun!!

If you know anybody who might like to join us, please don’t hesitate to ring.

Selwyn Wright  716797