The 2024 GWR AGM

So, here we are, 1 year on after I was given the opportunity as chair of this club. It was always in my eyes, a mammoth task to continue what had gone on before. Kelly had done an amazing job in her tenure and with John, took care of everything and it’s very easy to be complacent when tasks are being done under the radar.

But me and the new team got to work, from a personal point of view I had a few key things I wanted to achieve in year 1.

• Steady the membership levels post covid.
• Try and balance the books.
• Overcome personal anxieties like public speaking on a regular basis.

We’ve probably achieved 2 of the three of those, but there’s always work to be done. I wont talk over the treasurer and membership sections of the AGM, but the membership is still in the ballpark of where it was last year if a little down.

Some tough financial decisions needed to be made.

Raising last year’s membership price from £40 to £50 was quite a jump and something we were apprehensive about. I think though it keeps us affordable at less than £1 per week.

We had a rethink around ADMF, which has done amazing work as you’ve heard tonight, but we cant keep funding it at the clubs expensive every year, so we’ve handed on the baton to the ADMF committee to try and support itself, which is why now more than ever its important if you can donate a little with your membership or at the many social events that will happen throughout the year, its important or otherwise that will cease to exist down the line which would be a great shame.

But less doom and gloom, here are some high points of the year and I think there are quite a few and probably even more that Ive forgotten, we’ll all have our favourites.

So, here’s my month-by-month account of the year.

• We started with some behind the scenes admin, clearing 400 or so facebook group participants who were no longer relevant and to keep the group safer, Re-organising the clubs Google drive to keep all its information stored safety and in logical order.
• In November, we were joined by Chris Kay from the running school who work downstairs. He gave us an insight about the things we should consider around our training. I think it’s important that we not only become faster runners, but healthier, more informed runners. I hope to arrange another chat with Chris sometime in the not-too-distant future.
• The club in December continued its tradition of the Brailsford lights run, we all made it back safety although a few of us tried to get lost on the route.

The Christmas lights run was its usual success raising vital funds for ADMF and we’ve already heard tonight about how these funds give opportunity to those who can reach the very top.

The Gwent league cross country season finished at Blaise Castle with a higher turnout than usual meets from GWR.  Whilst this is not something at the top of many people’s agenda, if you would like to run and help organise this, then please get in touch.

• The newsletter arrived in January and every month since, a massive thank you to Rosie for compiling that each month and making it such an interesting read and communicative to all our members, even those that maybe don’t attend the club very often.
• February saw an Ashton Court parkrun takeover organised by Ian, it was great to see 25 club members support runners and walkers up (and down) the hill and to see us help support the local community.

Later in the month as a club we ran the Bristol lights run around the streets which made a nice change from Stoke hill and Bridge valley. The spring marathon long runs started we had a nice blog about a group run to Portishead.

• In March we started our spring half/10k speed work sessions on the Portway and big thanks to Mic, Joe and Will who attended most of them. I’m not sure if these will happen again but if its something you are interested in then please let the committee know and it’s something we can look at.

I sat through the most boring Avon Athletics AGM ever, so if you think this AGM is boring, I can tell you its not.

• April saw a visit from England Athletics coach Rich Ayling who answered questions about club membership, ADMF fundraising amongst other things. April also saw GWR complete all 7 of the Club standards that EA require of its members.

Because of this, we welcomed Doctor Dave Honeywill and Karen Wills as Welfare officers to help with the club safeguarding its members. We also have a list of first aiders who are Mic Chimenti, Leilah Dare and Doctor Dave should anyone come back with any scrapes from their run. A big thank you to Mic Chimenti for sourcing us a first aid kit. It lives in the cupboard should anyone require attention.

April also saw Mark, Ian and Elena hold the club stand at the 3^rd Bristol Running show, it was good to network and visitor numbers were up on last year. I’m sure we sold some towpath entries that day, even if we didn’t get anyone join the club from it.

• In May, a few of us went to the pub! Elena arranged the clubs spring social around Bristol’s finest craft breweries. Also, we completed a parkrun takeover of Eastville.
• June saw London marathon ballot places revealed, and it was good to see a club regular Andy Holiday secure a ballot spot. The Club place details will be revealed at a later date in the future, should the club receive one.

The petition for the Whitchurch track regeneration started and the club was offered to join Southville RC at their track sessions based there as its something we currently do not offer.

• July, we had the Cotswold relay, more about that in a minute.

Rhian and Vic completed their EA run leader courses and started leading runs. Oh great, another whatsapp group to be in they thought I’m sure!

• In August we celebrated the clubs 40^th anniversary with a Barbeque here at the Redland Green club. A big thank you to Elena for sorting, I think it was nice to see members past and present together and maybe something we can consider doing annually. The t-shirts are to be ordered imminently.
• September – The club completed another parkrun takeover at Blaise castle to round off another successful collaborative year.

Running Highlights Overview

Parkrun tourism – We visited many locations including:

• Chipping Sodbury
• Forest of Dean for Event 666
• Burnham and Highridge
• Newport, Tredegar house
• Lydiard
• Takeovers at AC, Eastville and Blaise

And we had far too many parkrun milestones to mention!

• February – First men’s team at the Doynton Hard half, Callum taking 1^st place.
• March – 22 runners did the bath half and 11 of them were under 90 minutes and the following 10 all under 2 hours.
• April – 17 runners the London marathon with all but 1 running sub 4 hours, this may say more about the London marathon selection policy but a good team day out, nevertheless.
• Sam Whiting ran a marathon PB in April in Newport, with his vest on the wrong way.
• May – Bristol 10k and Half marathon. Always well supported events by the club and in very hot conditions. 25 ran in the 10k and 23 in the Half, along with a few volunteers as well.
• Weston Prom – Towels were promised, but we got certificates at least, thank you to Alice for that. Big Well done to everyone who went and represented on another character-building series. The ladies won the team series with Kelly first lady. Callum also won the solo series prize by being first male.
• July – Cotswold relay – wetter than an otter’s pocket. Cheers to Ian for organising another great day and well organised event. Great to hear feedback from other clubs’ runners how friendly we are.
• GWR picked up some fantastic results at the Sri Chinmoy 3X1 series on 9th July. Katie (Hooper), Janine and Alice were the 3rd women’s team, with Clare Meraz and John Hargreaves winning series prizes.
• August – Severn bridge 10k saw GWR become the poster boys for the event with a string of race and series age category wins. 1^st male and 1^st female home along with V40, 1^st and 2^nd V50, V55 and V70 male series wins.

• August also the finish of the towpath series for another year. A success in terms of numbers taking part and the money it generated. It wouldn’t happen without Towpath Legend John Cox, Awais coordinating the volunteers and Dan Jones cutting down trees at quarter past 7 pm on race day! DBMax again provided a seamless service and now the orange funnels can be a thing of the GWR funnel Folklore. Thank you to everyone that ran, volunteered, shared a club post. This is where the club makes it money to do all the stuff, we do so is vital to keep us in the black.

And to round the year off.

• September – This month saw Clare Meraz represent England in the marathon at the Chester marathon. Amazing Clare!

Apologies if I’ve forgot anyone or anything, like I say, I’m sure you’ll all have your own memories.

Next year

• We have two new run leaders very shortly, Karolina and Oliver.
• More talks with exciting guest speakers.
• Try and grow the membership
• More online visibility, so maybe some people to help with social media would be good. It doesn’t have to be a committee member.
• Support ADMF with their fundraising alongside what we already do. Date for the diary 20^th November for Bingo night and the 18^{th of} December for Christmas lights run and raffle.

In summary,

• A really great year
• we’ve balanced the books
• we delivered a successful towpath series
• we’ve helped young athletes
• and we’ve been as inclusive and supportive as we’ve ever been.

So, let’s go 2025.

Thank you.