February 2025
By: Mark Watts
Welcome to February’s edition of the GWR monthly newsletter!
This is the place where you can hear all about the latest club information including races, save-the-dates, ADMF good-news stories, kit updates, and more… all in one place! This is a great way to keep you all updated on the exciting goings-on of the club, and to celebrate all we have accomplished.
We’ve taken a month off but return with our first offering in 2025 to hopefully update you on what’s been happening over the last 8 weeks. There’s news on the annual Bristol Lights run, a parkrun takeover, the 40th anniversary t-shirts finally got delivered and a couple of opportunities to volunteer.
So sit down with a brew and a biccie and take this club news in for 10 minutes of your life.
Dates for the diary and Events:
February 2025
- Wednesday 5th February: Club run at 19:00 (4, 6, 8 and 10 mile groups), Also Bristol lights run (Approx 7 miles, varying groups according to pace)
- Wednesday 12th February: Club run at 19:00 (4, 6, 8 and 10 mile groups)
- Wednesday 19th February: Club run at 19:00 (4, 6, 8 and 10 mile groups)
- Thursday 20th February: Weston Prom 5 mile race (Race 6)
- Wednesday 26th February: Club run at 19:00 (4, 6, 8 and 10 mile groups)
March 2025
- Wednesday 5th March: Club run at 19:00 (4, 6, 8 and 10 mile groups)
- Wednesday 12th March: Club run at 19:00 (4, 6, 8 and 10 mile groups)
- Wednesday 19th March: Club run at 19:00 (4, 6, 8 and 10 mile groups)
- Thursday 20th March: Weston Prom 5 mile race (Race 7)
- Wednesday 26th March: Club run at 19:00 (4, 6, 8 and 10 mile groups)
Winter Race and Achievements Report
Done something you are proud of? Then please share it all! Look out for the monthly calling post on facebook and give us all the news, and pictures!
Apologies for the lack of content here, I forgot to put a post out asking for achievements. Instead, There was the Clevedon 4 miler, 16 kidneys that went to Lydney, Lliswerry 8, Riverbank Rollick, Chepstow half marathon that we represented at so congratulate everyone on their achievements in those respective events.
We can look back to the end of last year where a few GWRians commented on facebook their achievements for 2024 and their hopes and dreams for 2025.
Bideford 10 miler looked like an event that was a highlight for many as it was mentioned 5 times in the comments. London marathon also featured and particularly those who were recipients on the club places. Some UK halves featured such as Nottingham and marathons in the UK and abroad in the shape of Blackpool and Ljubljana. Close to home there were PBs at the Weston Prom and Series win. GWR also claimed an England vest. Some great achievements all!
2025 appears to be the year of the marathon with the club being represented in Boston, London, Berlin and Blackpool. All the majors! There are other races and I’m sure this feed will be filled every month with your heroics. Keep us posted!
Misc. Updates
GWR is always a good idea!
This week, (if this newsletter goes out on time) is the annual Bristol Lights festival, it’s only on for one week and Wednesday the 5th is when GWR will be leaving Stoke Hill and Bridge Valley Road to fend for themselves for one week (unless you want to). There should be a garmin route posted in the facebook group for everyone to download. It’s a fun night and a good chance to run with people you wouldn’t normally do.
40th Anniversary t-shirts
They finally got delivered! A big thank you to Awais and Rich Kennington for getting these over the line, and no sorry they’ve all been bought and sold so there will be no more produced. You’ll have to wait till the 50th anniversary!
ADMF
Its been a short while since the Acronym ADMF has rung in your ears I’m sure. So here’s a little financial update from the two recent events that were held at the Redland Green club. Firstly, the bingo was a massive success and raised £400 on the night. Not far behind was the Christmas lights run quiz/raffle which raised £305. Those events will definitely support a few athletes in the coming year and we all know from listening from the athletes at the AGM how much that support really helps.
Please be aware that the 2025 application process has now opened so if you know anyone that would fit the criteria then please see one of the ADMF trustees
- Kelly Dicks
- John Cox
- Sam Mumford
- Katy Sutcliffle
- Christopher Taylor
The application form can be found on the club website. We hope to provide you with some updates throughout the year on how 2024’s recipients are getting on.
London Marathon Draw
The London Marathon draw concluded at the Christmas Lights event and we can confirm that Lucy Ellis was this year’s winner and will represent the club in the capital in just 12 weeks time. Congrats!
Cross Country Dates
Here is the date for the remaining meet. Please see John Hargreaves if you would like to run and he can register you.
Sunday 2nd 2025 – Brecon (Penlan)
Cotswold Relay
The club once again entered two teams in the cotswold relay (mixed teams). We will find out in April whether they have been successful. Same rules will apply that we will require £5 to run a leg.
Christmas Raffle Prizes
If there is anyone that hasn’t claimed their Christmas raffle prize as of yet or need my support then please get in touch.
Cheap Racing
Runthrough have been in contact with the club as they are trying to expand their races more into the South West and Wales. They are offering 20% off their Frome race event using our discount code.
As well as participating in their events, the support of club runners as volunteers at their events is invaluable. Runthrough will offer each volunteer £65 worth of RunThrough race credits and £10 RunThrough Kit credit each time they volunteer, or they can make a donation to GWR of £20 per volunteer instead.
For volunteering, hit this link to sign up!
https://forms.volunteero.org/view/2f611225-97f1-4c82-86ee-f94d78351445
Great Run, or Great Support?
Are you not running Bristol Half marathon or Bristol 10k but are free on that day? Im looking for 6 people to help marshal at the great run event to help Great run put on the event and promote our club. If anyone is interested then please click the link below!
https://greatrun.rosterfy.uk/invite/GreatWesternRunners
Sportsshoes Code
We have an exciting new discount to offer members of England Athletics affiliated clubs!
You can now link your England Athletics membership with your (free) SportsShoes ULTRA account to receive a discount automatically at checkout. This prevents the need to enter a code at checkout, making receiving a discount from us a lot quicker and easier. You can find out more here.
The discount on offer has been increased to 15% off in season products. Some exclusions apply to this promotion, including Coros, Garmin, Shokz, Maurten products and a few shoes.
Please note the old system of sportsshoes supplying a code for discount will cease in the coming months in exchange for the new one.
Kit
For club kit and leisurewear (including club-branded running gear), please see the website here.
Welfare
Need some support, a neutral second opinion? Please reach out to our welfare team David Honeywill and Karen Wills via email welfare@greatwesternrunners.org.uk
Everyone should feel safe and supported at the club.
Contact
If you would like to contact the committee about any club run business, suggestions, questions or otherwise, please do get in touch on committee@greatwesternrunners.org.uk
We’d love to hear from you!
