NHRR is 40!
On Sunday 18th October all past and present members, family and friends are invited to Mrs Elizabeth Howard Memorial Hall, SG6 1NX between 2-5pm to enjoy sharing memories and chatting all things NHRR.
John Atkinson, who founded the club in October 1986 with an article in The Comet, and Ian Sutcliffe, the only 1st week member still running with the club, will be attending.
Please feel free to bring along any memorabilia and photos you would like to share.
Home made cake and hot and cold drinks will be provided so please email Karen Dodsworth on [email protected] if you hope to attend so that we have sufficient cake! 😀
John Atkinson, who founded the club in October 1986 with an article in The Comet, and Ian Sutcliffe, the only 1st week member still running with the club, will be attending.
Please feel free to bring along any memorabilia and photos you would like to share.
Home made cake and hot and cold drinks will be provided so please email Karen Dodsworth on [email protected] if you hope to attend so that we have sufficient cake! 😀
Club History
Over The club was founded by John Atkinson who in October 1986 placed an advert in the Comet making an appeal for runners to join him in forming a new club.
By Christmas the club totalled 14 members and it was decided that it was time to formalise how the new club would operate. John was joined by Phil and Simon Gilby, Sue Pavey and Norman Leslie among others to help develop the club’s identity and character.
The club's first meeting point was North Herts Leisure Centre. A cue was taken from the leisure centre in naming the club North Herts Road Runners.
The first AGM took place on 7 Jan 1987 where the committee was formerly elected. Phil Gilby took on the role of Chairman, John Atkinson the Club Secretary, Sue Pavey became Treasurer and Lynne Hammond took on Publicity. The club philosophy was - "To run and socialise, and not become a 'serious' club." By Feb 1988 membership had reached 65.
Spearheaded by Phil Gilby, the club organised the first Standalone 10K on 16th October 1988. The race was a great success with 330 entries, and was won in a time of 32:30, with the last competitor crossing the line in 77:47.
By mid '88 the Black Squirrel logo was born and a few years later the club received support from the Heritage Foundation to buy new kit and so the club vest was redesigned in the foundation colours we use today, including black shorts (mandatory!).
Over 30 years later North Herts Road Runners is still a thriving club welcoming runners of all abilities and In 2019, we were awarded the prize of England Athletics Club of the year in the Eastern Region. We host multiple events: Standalone 10k, Greenway Challenge, First Saturday in the Month 5km, Santa Canta and Run Round the Garden.
By Christmas the club totalled 14 members and it was decided that it was time to formalise how the new club would operate. John was joined by Phil and Simon Gilby, Sue Pavey and Norman Leslie among others to help develop the club’s identity and character.
The club's first meeting point was North Herts Leisure Centre. A cue was taken from the leisure centre in naming the club North Herts Road Runners.
The first AGM took place on 7 Jan 1987 where the committee was formerly elected. Phil Gilby took on the role of Chairman, John Atkinson the Club Secretary, Sue Pavey became Treasurer and Lynne Hammond took on Publicity. The club philosophy was - "To run and socialise, and not become a 'serious' club." By Feb 1988 membership had reached 65.
Spearheaded by Phil Gilby, the club organised the first Standalone 10K on 16th October 1988. The race was a great success with 330 entries, and was won in a time of 32:30, with the last competitor crossing the line in 77:47.
By mid '88 the Black Squirrel logo was born and a few years later the club received support from the Heritage Foundation to buy new kit and so the club vest was redesigned in the foundation colours we use today, including black shorts (mandatory!).
Over 30 years later North Herts Road Runners is still a thriving club welcoming runners of all abilities and In 2019, we were awarded the prize of England Athletics Club of the year in the Eastern Region. We host multiple events: Standalone 10k, Greenway Challenge, First Saturday in the Month 5km, Santa Canta and Run Round the Garden.