Runners Council 24 Sep 2009

Present: Bill Murphy, Iain Morrice, Norma Bone, Frank Tooley, Pauline White, Tom White, Kenny Tindall, Gavin Orr

Apologies: Ian May, Mo May, David Syme, Ann Laidlaw, Kirsty Stoddart

WOLH
Great thanks to Gail and her team for organising a very successful event.

Social
TW will organise a bowling night in the next 2 months.
The ‘sports day’ didn’t happen due to weather and we’ll try to do it next Spring.
IM volunteered to organise a Sun morning run of 11 miles (or less for others depending on start point) from BHS to Roslin Hotel to meet partners for food and drink and lift home.
The ceilidh will be organised again for Sat 16th January with quiz, live band, food and disco.

Wed Nights
The system of using the board to provide route info is working well. The introduction of a rota of leaders, planning of routes in advance and making sure everyone was included were discussed.

Iain M volunteered to lead ‘torch runs’ on occasional Wed evenings (started 30/9). The timing and start point of these will be advised in advance on e.g. Facebook. It is proposed that the Club purchase 12 head torches for members.

Safety of runners in the dark was discussed (and Norma posted an email to make situation clear) and it was noted that on some occasions some runners may have crossed roads in an unsafe manner. It is important that when running at night appropriate care is taken and high vis clothing (or preferably lights) is worn. TW has a stock of tabards and it is proposed that the Club purchase further stock of higher quality tabards.

Sun Mornings
IM volunteered to start organising bog and burn runs again on occasional Sun mornings.

Jog Leaders
Janice maintains a rota that appears to be working well.

Cross country
TW distributed dates starting 10th October of upcoming events we will be entering 2 mens teams for.

Hill running
IM will advise Ann D of up-coming events so these could be put in next Newsletter.

Council Reps
Ian May wants to rotate out. Ian was thanked for his time and excellent contribution. Iain Morrice volunteered.

Items for AGM
There was discussion on what to do about some runners not paying subs as they were unclear what value they received for the £15/year fee. It was proposed that members be given a HAC water bottle. In addition discussed: HAC contribution to minibus hire to take groups to races, underwrite social events, contribution to BHS so we don’t get grief over using the parking and toilets, and coaching.

Coaching
Members felt that in addition to the coaching provided at the track on Thurs night and available on an ad hoc basis, they would benefit from structured coaching e.g. on Sun mornings and Wed evening. It was discussed how this could be achieved with the challenges of 40 turning up of abilities ranging from 64th at Berlin Marathon to ‘joggers’. Courses involving e.g. up the Beeches 1- 10 x dept on ability or circular routes around the houses were mentioned.