April

Ron Shannon

Ron Shannon for his Comrades marathon run. 54 miles in 8hrs 39minutes on the 'up run' at this year's South African classic.

"And to those who venture out, on this occasion for the very first time, whether fleet or heavy footed, are to discover that this, is not just a race or marathon, it is a journey. A journey of discovery, one in search of one's inner self, of ones self worth. A day, in your life that you can proudly say, that you have taken part in one of the most grueling challenges known to man.........The Ultimate Human Race." Well done Ron!

Maggie Bromley

Athlete of the month for June is someone who is a strong runner, determined, yet relaxed and always seems to run with a smile on her face. She is not seen at the club very often but regularly wears the club vest for many different races, including triathlons. She was given the most difficult leg of the Castles Relay, namely Drovers, and the Cotswold Relay leg 2 and achieved fantastic times for both. Well done to Maggie Bromley.

May

Phil Westlake

For the past several months Phil has found a renewed enthusiasm in his training, working hard at both club and track sessions. His efforts were rewarded with a couple of exceptional races in May. 1st Vet 40 and 3rd overall at the Hogweed 10K in a time of 34:31, and 2nd MV45 at the testing Plymouth half-marathon in an eye-opening 1:18. Phil's presence on club nights and at the track has improved the overall quality of the sessions, and made it harder work to try and keep up! But hard work is what is required if we wish to improve and hopefully Phil will continue to lead the way with both personally rewarding race outings and in his overall contributions to the Bitton men's team.

Jan Issacs

This lady was an original member of Bitton Road Runners 25 years ago. She has run numerous races including the London Marathon and the Tough Guy. Whilst taking part in specialised training on a trampoline at Reading Festival last summer she fell and broke her leg. She has worked extremely hard to recover from this and is now back running regularly at the club, always encouraging her fellow runners with non-stop chat! Well Done Jan.

April

Sean Lewton

Following on from a PB at the Gloucester 20 in March Sean got his marathon training just right by running a 3:41 PB at London. Clearly benefiting from a good training schedule through the winter and suffering from no post-marathon setbacks Sean went on to run a PB at the St Georges 10K just two weeks later. Well done Sean and hopefully you will continue to benefit from your marathon training and run strong through the summer.

Janet Brown

Janet joined the club about 3 and a half years ago, having only taken up running just prior to this. She has gone from strength to strength and worked really hard at speed and endurance to improve her fitness and over the last year has gained PB's in most distances. In March she did the Gloucester 20M in 2 hrs 37 mins and in April her well deserved achievement was the London Marathon in 3 hrs 28 mins. Well done Janet everyone is really pleased for you.

March

Ian Hoare

Despite having the skinniest legs in the club and being a Derby County supporter, Ian has put in some excellent performances this year. He has stepped up the level of his quality runs and is up there with the fast group at track sessions. He produced outstanding runs at the Dursley Dozen (1st Bitton home in 1.28.07) and Gloucester 20 in 2.10.34. Never relinquishing his grip on his mobile phone in case he got the call while awaiting the birth of his first child Myeisha. Congratulations Ian & Emma.

Kim Pope

Kim joined the beginners group two years ago and has gone from strength to strength. After quickly moving through to running with the main club Kim has worked hard at training and succeeded in taking 11 minutes off her PB fpr a half marathon in just one year! After securing a charity place for the London Marathon she has trained extremely hard and she deserves to achieve the time she would like. Good Luck in London Kim!!

February

Paul Sperrin

Paul recently celebrated his 50th birthday with a trip to Malta and whilst there participated in a half-marathon where he finished in a category winning 11th position. His time of 1:16:46 is a new club V50 record. This time would put him comfortably inside the top twenty V50 rankings countrywide for last year. It was a bit cooler on the following Tuesday at the Bridge where he equalled Bill Graham's current V50 5k record of 17:26. Well done Paul, congratulations on turning 50, this milestone has made your new age category a whole lot tougher for local runners! I hope that you continue to run well and produce nationally competitive times for the future.

Vanessa Hawkins

This lady when woken up in a race is a force to be up against! She is an extremely good runner and very modest. She was 1st L45 in the Bridge Inn with a time of 21.26, 2nd FV45 in the Dursley Dozen with 1.43 and completed the Terrminator in 1.44. Well done to Vanessa.

January

Mike Gibbs

Mike has trained consistently through January hardly missing a track, hill or Sunday session. He Started the month as first Bitton home at the Rough N Tumble 10 in 1.32.39 and followed that up by putting a good performace at the Mayhill Massacre in 1.15.01. Then came the Slaughterford 10 in 1.10.39 followed 2 days later by the Bridge Inn 5k in 19.29.

Jo Webb

Ladies AotM for January is Jo Webb. Jo trains consistently hard and always produces good results for Bitton. She ran the Gloucester New Year Ten miler in 1:08:39, and finished 1st V45 at Lliswerry helping the Ladies to win the team prize.

December

Luke Quilliam

An outright race win in a competitive event is to be applauded and after a number of months of consistent training, especially at Thursdays hill sessions, Luke was first home in the Bromham 10K which was raced in difficult conditions and won a nice big shiny trophy to boot!

Pat Harley

Pat started running a couple of years ago with the club and joined the beginners group. After the first 9 months she had to have time out with back trouble. She then came back to running with tremendous enthusiasm. Her aim was to quicken her pace enough to enable her to come along to the club nights and feel that she would not get left behind. Pat has run in the Bridge Inn 5K and each time has got quicker. She has also been going to the track on a Tuesday night and has put so much effort into improving, which has now paid off. Well done Pat.

November

Terry Welch

Terry has been running consistently well over the last few months which has produced several outstanding performances including a 19.30 at the Bridge Inn 5K, a 1.29.49 at the Bristol Half and a PB of 1.28.10 at the Cardiff Half. From a V55 who was a heavy smoker not so long ago these performances are even more remarkable.

Dawn White

Although Dawn is not able to get to the club very often, she represents the club and wears the club vest in the cross country races, the Bridge Inn 5K and other events and is an experienced runner. She has won prizes in her category and age group throughout the year. This month she was the first vet 40 in the GCC Cross Country League in a time of 34.28 and ran the Bridge Inn 5k in a time of 20.20. We hope she continues with her fantastic efforts.

October

Reg Morris

Reg has reached a level of cosistency that is quite outstanding, and hardly ever misses a track session or a club night. 2nd MV55 in Burnham, Cardiff and Stroud Half Marathons, all around 1:25.

Dawn Drake

Dawn has trained hard throughout the summer which resulted in a PB of 1:38:01 at the Cardiff half marathon taking 3mins 30 off her previous best time.

September

Simon Laraway

First home for Bitton at the Bristol Half Marathon and a 10k PB at Mortimer capped a superb month for Simon. His times at these events has elevated him to be one of the clubs top runners and were just reward after consistent and committed training through the summer.

Sarah Coultart

For all her efforts in the Clarendon Way Marathon 5.00.13, Bridge Inn 5k 24.08, Robin Hood Half Marathon 1.54.27, Grizzly 20m 4.35 and Overton 5 in 41.03. She deserves a well earned rest after all those miles and a new pair of trainers!

August

Keith Sawyer

After a vet 50 class victory at the Wellington Ten in July Keith continued his strong form through the month of August with another vet 50 category win at the Standish Woodland Chase. Keith then followed that up by being first Bitton runner home at the Frampton 10K.

Fiona Cramp

Fiona won two prizes one for 2nd Senior Female in the Easy Runner 5K Series and 2nd Female in the Standish Woodland Chase in a time of 1.12.36. She also had a PB at the Wellington Ten in 1.10.51 in July.

July

Bryan Stadden

Along with Andy Creber won the Bowfell Class in the Saunders Mountain marathon. Also, even though it was in June, the South Wales Traverse should be mentioned as it was a tremendous achivement. After his injury ravaged 2006 Bryan has returned to form and proved he is the number one mountain man in the club.

Sharon was the first Vet 35 at Sundays Hill in 44.02, 2nd Female in the Self Transcendence 2m in 13.59 and in August did a PB at the Frampton 10k in 43.31 and was 1st Vet in the Easy Runner 5K series.