Looe Pioneers Running Club
Run to fitness with the Looe Pioneers
AAA registered
Looe Pioneers at Hannafore in the club's early days - 2005!
The club meets every Wednesday at 7pm at the Coastguard station/Cafe kiosk at Hannafore. 2 or 3 groups of differing abilities then proceed to run/jog from Hannafore to Looe via the Millpool car park / or Shutta area - seafront, & back. The new club has been set up by two keen local runners, school headmaster Roger Carter and Ian Slee, whose daily commute to work until retirement in 2005 was a 5 mile run along the coastal path to
nearby Talland Bay
Visitors and prospective members are always welcome - see below
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Cardiff Half Marathon 15th October 2006
12 Looe club members ran the Cardiff Half Marathon and one ran the Full Marathon
Back row: John Bowden, Roger Carter, Simon Winfield, Oliver Tuckett, Jack Tuckett
Middle row: Oliver Slee, Geraldine Bowden, Alex Carter, June Slee, Lynne Tuckett, Tim Slee
Front row: Ian Slee, Fred Carter
Sadly, Ian was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumour in May this year and he can no longer run. It was v doubtful that he would be able to make the journey to Cardiff to support the club - but thro' lots of help from club members he got there, some staying with him throughout the day. Our 2 sons ran also - one flying in from Spain the night before - and we all ran for Ian. How I managed to complete the distance I will never know. My legs turned to jelly in the last half mile along Westgate Street and 2 of our lady club runners who had ran and encouraged me all the way round helped me to the tunnel of the Millenium Stadium and somehow - I can't remember running the lap of the Stadium - I managed it. Thank you Lynne & Geraldine!
We all stayed B&B in Cardiff, had 2 great meals out - 1 in an Italian - there were 21 of us on a long table! and all thought Cardiff a lovely City. The run was a terrific route - thro' the parks, out to Cardiff Bay and thro' the Castle grounds. To finish in the Millennium Stadium was just amazing - none of us had ever been before and we were all so impressed. A truly great, and for us - v emotional weekend. Thank you Cardiff!
June Slee - October 2006
 Looe Pioneers pose for press photo |
 John Gossan - 4th overall, 1st Looe man, 1st male over 50 |
 June Slee |
 Roger Carter - Joint founder of Pioneers |
 Ellen Wilson |
 Ian Slee - Joint founder of Pioneers |
Many club members progressed to competing in local 10k races & half marathons. In September 2005, 6 club members travelled to the New Forest to run the New Forest Half & full Marathon. Barry Mills, Simon Winfield & Sue Williams ably completed the Half whilst Ian Slee, Denis Marsh & RogerCarter bravely ran the full Marathon. Roger scored a personal best on the day which was very creditable as the course was very testing & the weather extremely warm. The Club also entered the Westward Winter League which features a grass track event once a month. The younger members also enjoyed entering the Boconoc 5 mile event, the annual Looe fun-run & recently the Trenode cross-country race.
Events: Sunday 20th November 2005. Cornish Marathon
2 senior Club members, Roger Carter & John Gossan, completed the grueling 26.2 mile course in fine style. This was Roger's 2nd Cornish Marathon appearance & he duly knocked 17 minutes off last year's time. John was pleased with his 1st attempt at the notoriously difficult course, despite suffering with a back injury in the closing stages. Well done to both!
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Looe Pioneers invites everyone interested in getting - and keeping - fit - young and old - experienced runners or absolute beginners to join them - telephone Roger Carter at 01503 262566 or June Slee at 01503 264300 to do so. Adults 50p, children (under 18's) free. The Club is grateful to West Looe Town Trust for its generous help in providing club members with running strip for competitive occasions and registration with the AAA (Amateur Athletic Association) |