Page 9 - BBHAC Winter 2014-15 Gazette web
P. 9
Interview 7
the club) at Norman Park Marathon. As a teacher, I covering every distance from
primarily to get faster for am hoping to encourage a 1 mile to marathons and the
Rugby and Football. few younger athletes to join Surrey League cross country.
the club, so that they can
“Realising the enjoyment get the same enjoyment and “From 2006 to 2009 I
that athletics gave me, I fulfilment as I have over the continued running with
competed from Under past 17 years.” friends but without much
13 up to Junior level, at a focus until one Wednesday
distances ranging from 100m Marion (Maz) Turner night, when I was collecting
up to 1500m. I went to the Maz started running in John, Colin Brand spoke to
University of Bath to study July 1983 and followed a me about joining Blackheath
Coach Education and Sports beginner’s schedule for Harriers to compete in the
Development, and with 10miles. Her first race was Kent Masters track league. I
a more intensive training the Rochester 5 in November laughed and told him I had
schedule, started to take 1983. After that she ran no track experience. He told
huge chunks off my personal in several road races up me that the club needed a 60
bests, focusing mainly on to half marathons as an year old woman to take part
the 400m.” Unfortunately, a unattached runner. John just to get the extra points
broken leg sustained whilst was a Blackheath Harrier so I agreed. At that point
playing American football, (a men only club then) and I thought it would mean
allied with a shift to a less she was persuaded finally to just one track race at each
productive lifestyle, meant join Bromley Ladies in 1985. meeting. Little did I know
that he struggled to regain She ran her first marathon that I would be racing over
the form he had been in pre- in London in 1986. Since all distances from 100m to
injury. It was one summer at then she has completed 14 3k, taking part in triple and
home during his studies that marathons including several long jump and even stepping
he started assisting John with Londons, 2 Paris, Boston, in to do hammer, discus and
coaching at the club and at Nottingham and Harrow. shot. My first league meeting
the track. “Unfortunately Bromley was in June 2010 shortly after
Ladies had no clubhouse for my 60th birthday and I’ve
“This continued after my the road runners so in 1988 I enjoyed every match.
graduation in 2009, and when joined Dulwich Park Runners
John left to return to Ireland and was a member there until “I have been the team
in 2012, I chose to take on 2006. I competed in hundreds manager for the Women’s
his group permanently. Since of road races with them Kent Masters League since
then I have continued to 2013 and am pleased to say
coach ‘track sessions on the that we have continued to get
road’ on a Wednesday night, to the Southern Vet finals.
and have represented the club This year I have joined forces
in the Southern Athletics with John to manage both
League in every event bar the men’s and women’s team
110m Hurdles, various cross and hope this will continue
country events and have even as a successful management
staggered around the London partnership.”
