Midhurst
Milers - About Us
The Midhurst Milers is a running club for runners of all abilities. Qualified coaches are available to offer training and support for all.
Weekly training is held on Wednesdays at 7pm at the Grange Leisure Centre, Bepton Road, Midhurst, West Sussex, GU29 9HD. 01730 816841.
The Milers take part in a whole range of local and nationally organised events, including cross country, 10Ks, marathons, adventure races and triathlons. However, you do not need to race to come along and run with us.
Club History
The club was started in 1991 by Howard Bidmead and Richard
Smith (Smithy). These two had been running for many years
and had been turning up for races regularly and decided that
on seeing various club vests it would be nice to put Midhurst
on the map. Within a few weeks our numbers had grown to three
with Jackie Tunks joining us as our first female member. We
had three Midhurst Miler vests with stick on lettering which
had a habit of coming off when placed in the washing machine.
The manufacturers wouldn't do just three. Mind you these early
vests are much sought after, and worn by Smithy and Howard
at the 1991 New York Marathon.
In 1992 the club affiliated to the Sussex County Athletic
Association and to the SEAA ( South of England Athletic Association
).
In 1993 saw the first ever Midhurst 10K with just over 400
runners taking part. this has since grown to over 500 runners.
1994 saw our first invitation into the South Downs Relay.
A mixed team of various individuals. With a 5am start at Beachy
head we finished at Winchester about 10.30pm that evening
with Lesley Hopkins getting seriously lost on the last leg.
Fortunately things have improved since then with the relay
and the infamous Grizzly in Devon becoming an enjoyable part
of the club's racing calander.
September 1996 a sad time for the club when Smithy died whilst
out running on the sawdust run circuit. He was training for
the Athens Marathon which he had longed to do. Howard subsequently
did it for him and gave the medal to Smithy's wife, Marilyn.
Thus was born the Sawdust Run, which used to be run every
Autumn in memory of Smithy which incudes a small trophy for
the winners.
1997 was our entry into the today's runner x/c league and
to achieve a runners up position this year was amazing. This
show's how far the club has come.
The milers has had it's characters over the years. All of
whom have contributed to the Milers in some way. Be it running,
helping at Races or on the administration side of things.
Many of them have brought a wealth of experience and ideas
to the club. This has helped shape the club into what it is
now.
Annual club runs were started and the club has taken members
to various events; Grizzley, Exmoor Stagger, Race the Train,
etc.. Individuals have also entered many weird and wonderful
events and the club has a wealth of talent and experience.
It was the intention of Smithy and Howard to build the club
to a point where if it came to it if both of them were no
longer around the club would function. That point has been
passed and long may the club continue. |
