Meet Some of our Members…
Our membership levels normally vary within a range of 60-100, with a wide range of ages, backgrounds and running ability. We know it can be daunting turning up for the first time to a club where you don’t know anyone, so here are a few of our members…
David Rutter
Age: xx
Location: Llandogo
Occupation: Retired maths teacher (Monmouth Comp).
Favourite event: GLCL Cross Country series (usually about 10km)
Best result: I’m usually last! (But I aim for a 6 min/km pace).
About: Married to Anne, and very proud of our son, our daughter and our four grandchildren.
Other activities: Mountain walking and skiing.
Ambition: To keep going….
Lucy MacDonald
Location: Monmouth
Occupation: Full time mum
Favourite Event: Can’t decide – Either Riverbank Rollick, a nine mile race that has a little something for everyone, or Rogue Runs’ night race series. Who knew running in the dark, through the woods would be so much fun?!
About: I joined Spirit of Monmouth in 2017 to meet new people, be part of a team, lose a bit of baby weight and have a bit of me time. Everyone was very welcoming, encouraging and supportive! I have met some lovely people and have made some wonderful friendships. Since joining the club I have reduced my 5k time by 4min and my 10k time by 9min. The cake after each race is amazing but the team spirit is the best.
Ambition: I would like to take part in a marathon (road/trail) and eventually run an ultra.
Martin Blakebrough
Location: Llanishen
Occupation: CEO, Kaleidoscope
Favourite Event: Forest of Dean Parkrun. PB – Manchester Marathon, 3 hours 28 minutes
About: I am CEO of Kaleidoscope, a drug and alcohol charity helping people across Wales and parts of England. Running helps me balance out a busy work life. I also love travelling, having recently taken part in a Parkrun in Poland.
Rob Nelson
Occupation: Part time Landscape Gardener and Stay at Home Dad
Location: Trellech
Favourite Event: Snowdon International Race for which my PB is 1:44:51
About: As a runner I like nothing more than hitting the trails and have completed around 20 Ultra Marathons most of which in the beautiful Brecon Beacons, the longest to date being the 56 mile 4,800m of ascent Brecon 10 Peaks. But I also enjoy shorter fell and trail races which I sometimes use as training for the ultras. I have been a member of Spirit of Monmouth for several years now, something I was reluctant to do at first as being a trail runner and couldn’t see what benefit a road running club would have to me. But after some badgering from some existing friends I joined the club. I found the club extremely friendly and welcoming with a very diverse range of members of differing ages, abilities and interests. After a while it was also apparent that they didn’t mind the odd muddy trail run/race either and to recover in a local pub over a pint or two, nothing wrong there in my opinion. Since training with the club I have increased my pace dramatically and now run in the sub 8 min/mile group. This increased cadence has improved my off-road downhill speed dramatically resulting in a few PB’s in fell races. The club is a big part my running now and through it I have met some wonderful new friends and running buddies with great spirit who inspire me to run further and faster.