ROYTON Road Runners joined fellow club runner Garry Bower in a poignant ‘Life for a Life’ 5K charity race around Cowm Reservoir (writes Gary Smith)
Following the race, a tree was planted in the charity’s memorial forest in memory of and to celebrate the life of Garry’s wife Bernadette.
The couple and family ran round and enjoyed the tranquil and lovely area before tragically losing her battle with breast cancer earlier in the year.
Bernadette was cared for by Springhill Hospice and Garry will continue to raise money for the Hospice via his own page online www.justgiving.com
Earlier in the day a parkrun milestone was reached by Brian Moore, the Runners’ club secretary and track coach.
Brian is well-known in the Oldham and Rochdale running community.
So, it was great to see so many parkrunners from other local clubs, as well as RRRs, come to Watergrove parkrun to join and see Brian complete his 250th.
Brian gives encouragement to both young and old to take up running, to train and to join a local running club.
He is always willing to advise on technique, fitness and preparation.
He holds all-weather track training sessions at the Kingsway Park High School on Mondays and Wednesdays at 7pm to which everyone wanting to improve their running resilience and speed are welcome.
Later in the afternoon the weather stayed chilly but dry for the Tandle Hill X-Country race in which many RRRs took part.
After another full and varied year’s running, club members relaxed in the close season up to Christmas and into the New Year with training nights and social runs ran in festive attire!