I had made up my mind I wasn’t going to make a speech this year. But the Club Captain informed me that it was compulsory because it was traditional that speeches are made. And as you know I never ever question what the Club Captain says (bless him).
You know looking around I see a number amongst us who have been running for twenty years or more and there are others who just look like they have been running for over twenty years. You all know that gaunt haggard look of the finely tuned athlete at the peak of fitness and honed to the bone. Just looking around I don’t think we have anybody in that category do we?
You know I think runners are great people. It's just a pity we can't interest a few more people in the sport.
Perhaps we should be more proactive. We could go out spreading the message of health and fitness through running. Just keep quiet about the fact that most of us run on a diet of meat pies and bacon sandwiches. We did a coach trip to Llandudno last year -You just wouldn't believe some of the breakfasts consumed by our members before running the 10 mile race.
Nevertheless a runners life is not an easy one - yes its sad- we have all been through injury and health set backs but we still pound the streets three or more times a week.
In the rain- in the snow. Why do we do it? Well of course there’s that great feeling you get from being fit.
But more than that its the pure enjoyment you get of being able to test yourself against other runners in the club and in other clubs. There is no finer feeling than beating a Chase Harrier or Oak Parker in a Race.
Most of you must have seen the film ‘Toy Story’ . Now one of the characters in it was ‘Buzz Lightyear’ and he had a phrase ‘To Infinity and Beyond’. Most of us are not aiming that high. We would settle for 26 miles around London. But the fact remains that being a member of a running club gives us a target to aim for. It allows us to mix with likeminded people and enjoy the camaraderie - or should I say piss taking.
Generally runners are good people and when I think of the people I most identify with and respect then the majority of them are runners.
So in conclusion I would like to propose a toast to runners all over the world - even Chase Harriers and Oak Park.
To Runners the world over.