From the age of 15 (1982) when I trained for and entered the Prestatyn half marathon my running career had been simply that; identify a race, train for it, run it then stop running for anything up to 2yrs! Less for an 18 month period in 1986 I had never managed to maintain my running consistency for anything longer than a 6 month period. That is until I joined the Hay Hotfooters! I am now proud to say I have managed to run consistently for the last 13 months. (less for 2 months being injured – caused by my over enthusiasm to enter any and every race that I felt the urge to and that was quite a few!).

Joining the Hotfooters was a bit of leap of faith for me as my work doesn’t really bring one into contact with normal folk on a daily basis and therefore it was with some trepidation that I plucked up the courage and gave Jo a call on a cold night in Hay in Mar 2009.

You will not find a more eclectic group of people than those within the Hay Hotfooters; bookworms, chess players, young mothers, granddads and grandmothers, military and navy types, nurses, septuagenarians, turkey ranchers, ladies of leisure and the odd man of leisure, potters, artists the list goes on. The point being no matter what background you have (socially or running) you will fit in – Guaranteed. I have never considered myself a serious runner as I really do not have the length of stride or natural running ability to compete at any level other than local events. That is ideal for me as I run when I want to and to a level I am content with but without worrying about not having that bottle of wine instead of glass of wine to accompany any number of unhealthy meals. Not that I choose to eat too many unhealthy meals but the option is there!

My ambition for 2010 is to remain injury free and to enter as many races as I can – just not so close together this time. Oh and I need to learn to swim as I have been bitten by the triathlon bug. Unfortunately I have the same floating characteristics as a brick at the moment so a little more work on my technique is required. I have also been snared by the call of the fells or was that John P telling me to get my backside up the nearest mountain. Whatever it was, the hills have got my attention and I plan to run up, over, along and down one or two 2010.

When did you join the Hotfooters? Mar 2009.

How did you come to be a member of Hotfooters? Found the website and phoned Jo.

What is your favourite training run? The Begwyns, Hay on Wye.

What is your favourite race and why? The Hay Hotfooters Magic Roundabout (stunning scenery and great route) and Cardiff half marathon for its PB potential, crowds and ease of getting to and from.

What are your recent PBs? Marathon: 3hrs 6mins (1987 – my only one) Half Marathon: 1hr 25 mins (Lake Vyrnwy 09) 10 Mile: 1hr 4mins 50secs (Brecon 09) 10K: 38mins 35secs (Merthyr 09)

Top tip: Never believe a race is flat until you have finished and it is flat!

What we run for!