Steve Hull • May 10, 2021

Introducing our new Club President

My name is Caroline Woodford, as I am sure many of you already know. I was very honoured and surprised to be asked to represent the New Forest Runners as President.


I joined the New Forest Runners around 13 years ago and since then it has become a massive part of my life, which I thoroughly enjoy.


For over 30 years I enjoyed horse riding, competing in local shows and taking part in the New Forest Boxing Day point to point races, which I was fortunate to have won on three occasions.


A few of my other pursuits are paddle boarding, kayaking, cycling and swimming.


I enjoy competing in the CC6 and RR10 Cross Country with members of the club. The encouragement from our runners along with the club atmosphere gives me a real buzz.


I travelled to New York in 2018 with a group of the New Forest Runners to compete in my first ever marathon; which was a truly amazing experience.


For many years I worked on the markets as a trader, there I enjoyed meeting lots of people and loved the banter with my fellow traders. Until recently I have along with my brother and daughter been a director of the local newspaper; which had been owned by my late father Charles Curry.


Since retiring from the markets running has allowed me to continue meeting people and making new friends.

I would like to take this opportunity in thanking Mike McCabe for doing a fantastic job as President; I know it will be a hard act to follow. Thank you again.


Let’s hope we will all be able to meet up and run together again very soon.


Best wishes to you all.


Caroline

Abdi wins New Forest 10 Mile Race in record time

By Peter Reilly • November 1, 2024
Abdi wins New Forest 10 Mile Race in record time! 822 runners took on the 36th running of New Forest Runners’ flagship race over road and forest tracks. It was a stunning performance from race winner Abdinassier Mohamoud Elhmi (Abdi) of Bournemouth AC who led the race from start to finish setting a course record of 49:01 pacing at 4:54 per mile. Joseph Arundel, also of Bournemouth AC came second in 51:14 while Jamie Grose of Poole AC rounded off the top three in a time of 53:42. For the ladies Erin Willmers of recently formed Winchester Running Club took first place in a time of 1:04:55. Just three seconds separated the second and third ladies. Kat Charles of Reading Roadrunners took second place in 1:05:28 and Emma Jolley of City of Portsmouth claimed third in 1:05:31. Bournemouth AC also took home the inaugural Mike Ryan Team Trophy. The trophy honours Mike Ryan, one of the founders of New Forest Runners who made a huge contribution to the success of the club from its inception in 1981 until his recent passing. The trophy was presented by Mike and Glenys Ryan’s daughter Fiona, in the presence of Glenys. Race Director, Peter Reilly commented: “With 32 member clubs of the Hampshire Road Race League represented on the start line plus some very strong clubs from out of the area the New Forest 10 was destined to be a highly competitive race and it certainly was with some very impressive performances. Having seen our race winner Abdi in action at a recent cross country race I had a feeling that we would see a sub 50 minute finish and he didn’t disappoint. We’ll all be following his running progress with great interest. Of course this race only happens because our volunteers turn out to support it every time. In the words of Dawn Rogers our volunteer coordinator “They were brilliant.” And going by the positive messages we have received, the runners agree.” Jim Edgar, New Forest Runners Chair said: “I want to take this opportunity to thank the New Forest 10 committee and all the volunteers - and all their respective families - for the tremendous support they have given yet again. This is the first New Forest Runners 10 mile race to be staged since the recent passing of our esteemed friend and co-founder Mike Ryan. I am proud on behalf of the entire Club for the success of this years event, and I know that Mike would be too.” TABLE OF PRIZE WINNERS

NEW CHAIR APPOINTED AT NEW FOREST RUNNERS

By Peter Reilly • March 21, 2024
It’s all change at the top of New Milton based New Forest Runners with Steve Hull and Caroline Woodford stepping down as Chair and Honorary President respectively at the expiry of their terms of office. Jim Edgar has been appointed Chair and Charles Fox has accepted the position of Honorary President. Paying tribute to Steve and Caroline, Jim Edgar commented that Steve had taken over as Chair just as the pandemic hit and had the tricky task of guiding the club through and beyond that difficult time. He leaves the club well positioned for the future. Caroline’s role as Honorary President was to ooze positivity and encouragement at every opportunity, a task that she undertook with relish participating with and cheering club members at training sessions, parkruns and races alike. Jim Edgar has been a member of the club for a number of years and joined the committee in 2023. He has benefited from the myriad training sessions the club provides regularly setting new personal bests. Jim completed his first marathon last year and is looking forward to his second marathon in April. Charles Fox has been involved in all aspects of the club from club committees to organising our active Mudlarks group to entering races and picking up personal bests and age category awards. Like Caroline before him Charles will continue to bring positive vibes and encouragement to all involved in the club. Like many New Forest Runners Jim and Charles are supporters of running in the community and regularly volunteer at Lymington Woodside and Brockenhurst parkruns. Jim Edgar commented: "I am grateful to Steve and Caroline for getting the club safely through the pandemic years. Along with my fellow committee members I am looking forward to addressing the future challenges and opportunities for this great club. New Forest Runners is a welcoming club to belong to and I hope will go from strength to strength over the coming years.”
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