30/10/2026
Meet the Strider is back! 👟
This week we’re meeting Graham, our Club Treasurer, who has been a Strider since the early days. He looks after the club finances, pays our England Athletics affiliations and other fees so we can compete, and works with the committee to make members’ experiences as positive as possible. He’s also recently started leading the occasional Wednesday night track session. 💙
🔹 What got you into running?
I tried and failed in my mid-30s: one 3km run, then I collapsed on the sofa and gave up. Then my sister introduced me to parkrun and a friend got me running early mornings. Parkrun and running clubs appealed to my competitive nature, and the Striders gave me everything I wanted.
🔹 A running experience that’s stuck with you?
My first and only marathon, Manchester 2024. I’d put so much into the training that when I crossed the line in a decent time, a huge wave of emotion took hold and I was desperate to find someone I knew so I could go and cry at them.
The most amusing one, at least for everyone else, was the Kingston 20 in the rain. I very naively didn’t protect my ni***es, which bled all over my white Striders vest. I looked an absolute state!
🔹 Any pre-race rituals or superstitions?
I’m not superstitious. I just decide which trainers to wear depending on whether I’m going for it or not. And if my body has done the honourable thing and had a pre-race clear out, that’s one less thing to worry about. Sorry if you’re eating! 😅
🔹 What would you tell yourself on your first run with the club?
You have nothing to prove, and there’s no need to overdo it to impress other members. People will love you for what you bring to the club, not how fast you are.
🔹 Go-to post-run snack?
Normally cake and Prosecco, but failing that, an egg, bacon and avocado roll. 🥂
🔹 One thing people might be surprised to learn about you?
Before I met Bryn, I hadn’t been to a gig in about 20 years! 🎸
Thanks Graham! 💙💛 Know a Strider we should feature next? Drop a name in the comments.
