Grassroots Athletics
Perth Road Runners
Club together! Alan so glad he made the leap By Matt Gallagher, Perthshire Advertiser
T
here is often a perception that you need to be at elite level to join a running club.
Runners. I’d known about the club, but never thought I was good enough.
‘I even had an ambition to take part in cross country.
‘I got in touch and asked about joining a slower group.
‘They do have a little bit of an elite side to them. But there are plenty of plodders like me. We get lapped, but it doesn’t matter. Even at my level it is competitive.
And at times that very thought may have stopped certain people from taking the first step and signing up.
‘I’m not one of the fastest, never have been. But I’ve always enjoyed aerobic exercise and distance running especially.
But Perth Road Runners are keen to stress that they will always offer a friendly welcome to anyone interested in getting involved.
‘I like the feeling of relaxation that it brings and the feeling of wellbeing after you have trained. The club has been very encouraging and there will always be a group for you.’
Two current members who are thrilled they decided to see what all the fuss was about are Alan and Sue Bothwell.
‘I’ve managed to run some pretty decent times. Sometimes you get into a little bit of a lull but you always strive to get better.’ There remained a determination to improve last year, despite the unprecedented coronavirus pandemic completely changing the sporting landscape. A March lockdown resulted in the cancellation of events and club training sessions in person.
Soon Alan found himself venturing off across the country to take part in a wide range of events. Again, he was keen to point out that Alan (62), who admits himself he is not the these events were not solely confined to elite fastest by any stretch of the imagination, has athletes. Alan recalled: ‘The club’s activities were never looked back since first reaching out to ended overnight, races were cancelled and ‘Joining a club gives you all sorts of the club in 2017. parkrun was cancelled. opportunities to find out about different ‘Five or six years ago I started running ‘But the club set up a virtual challenge. We events,’ Alan explained. again,’ explained Alan. couldn’t run together, but we would run a 5k ‘Events ranging from the 5k parkrun down at on our own and send in the times. ‘I put a little bit of weight on and, when into the North Inch every week to marathons and my 50s, I thought I better do something ‘That kept a lot of us going and we had ultra-marathons. I’ve not quite gone that far. about my health. something to work towards. It was a great ‘But you find your level and you always have help for us.’ ‘I was getting a little better and decided to your friendly rivals that you like to race. scottishathletics take it to the next level by joining Perth Road There is the friendly competition.
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