Poole Runners Named Britain`s Best Running Club

Poole Runners were last week announced by Runners World Magazine’s Britain’s Best Running Club for 2008.

The Broadstone-based club was selected from every running and athletics club in Britain, and fought off the other shortlisted clubs Yeovil Road Runners and Serpentine of London.

Wide Criteria

The judges had wide criteria; looking for what the club offers their community. Races such as the Poole 10k and Festival of Running in conjunction with Poole leisure services, has had thousands of runners of all ages over its many years, running in this great summer race obviously impressed. The Poole Runners summer and winter time-trials, too offer runners of all standards from elite to first-time racers a chance to test themselves over a series of races.

The judges also looked at the charitable work the club does - such as the Ladies only 5k; a twice yearly race run in Poole park, which has raised thousands of pounds in aid of Ovacome, an ovarian Cancer charity. The judges also look at welfare and training of its members - Poole Runners additionally have large and successful junior squad.

Honoured

Andy Palmer; Race Director of the Festival of Running and Poole 10k revealed; "We at Poole Runners are thrilled and honoured to win this award. We work hard to be an inclusive and friendly club, built around its members and the community we live in. It’s good to be recognised for the effort our club makes, for the work it does hosting races, charitable fundraising events and the work we do raising the awareness of Athletics and Running in Dorset. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank our members; past and present, for all the hard work they have put in to making our club what it is today. "

The awards were announced on Thursday 10th April at a grand awards ceremony in London’s imperial War Museum.

Written by Nicola Bamford.