Faces

Green Belt Relay

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The GBR Organisers

Here they are - that dedicated bunch who put in all the hard work to make the race possible. Their pictures are included here so that you'll recognise them during the race and will be able to let them know what you think (complementary hopefully).

Note: photographs are not yet available so you'll have to make do with these likenesses for now.

Sean Davis
The brains and the energy behind the race. He puts in a huge amount of work in advance preparing the documentation and checking the route. Whilst the event is running he drives/cycles ahead for the whole route marking the course and ensuring that all is well for the runners following.
Somehow he has even found time to run (and win) the occasional stage.

Lynda Howe
Lynda ex-chairmum (9 years of it) of Stragglers and has the dubious pleasure of working closely with Sean throughout the year on the GBR project. She has been involved with the organisation of the race since the beginning in a variety of roles, none more valuable than preventing Sean using up all the Stragglers funds on the race. It's Lynda's enthusiasm, hard work and wonderful personality that has ensured this relay takes place each year. As well as all this she has also made time to win two GBR legs.

Mike Hutchings
Gold medal winner and once oldest runner in the London Marathon. Age records galore and until recently fastest distance runner for his age in the world. Renowned painter, historian, doctor, beer connoisseur - could go on for pages. It is primarily through the efforts of Mike that the GBR event exists. Many of the original ideas were his and he put in a huge amount of time and effort in planning and reviewing the route. Mike's main interest is the course. He loves the geography and history of the route, designed and sketched the original race logo, came up with the original route and keeps coming up with alternative routes. If this wasn't enough he holds the distinction of being the only octogenarian to have competed in the race.

Nigel Collins
Responsible for the time-keeping and results. Nigel developed the RaceMaster Race Management Software - the UK's leading product in this field. Using the package he ensures that the results of each stage are available to all by the time that the following stage has completed. At the end of the race the final results are published within minutes of the last runner completing the course thus ensuring that the awards ceremony can take place without delay. If you ever have the privilege to meet Nigel, don't mention computers, keep the conversation on running, he may have forgot, but he used to be good at that.

Jim Desmond

Jim originally set up this website and remains my chief adviser. Got together the Sunday Night Shandies "Pub" team for 2000 - they done very well, finishing third overall with five stage wins and one stage record. Jim had another go with "The Shandies" in 2003. He won the first stage and finished 4th on the last stage. Shandies won 9 legs and took the Green Belt by over an hour. Again in 2006 he put together a strong BPTT.net team to win the event once again. I'm waiting to see what he has in store for us this year.

Paul Hutchings

Paul is Nigel's right-hand-man in running the results service. He ensures that the army of time-keepers are all where they need to be and the data is all fed-back promptly and accurately. Word has it, he once was a very good runner himself, maybe when he's in his eighties he may have the potential of his father Mike.

Mark Thomas

Mark takes on a variety of roles that enables the race to run smoothly. One of his primary roles, in the past, was to ensure that Nigel and Paul get to the finish of every leg in time to post the results. This involves navigating and driving the route leapfrogging the race as he goes. One of the true characters of GBR, Mark has been involved since the first event and has put in some notable performances himself - highlighted by two legendary stage wins (1995 and 1996) and being part of the 1996 winning Stragglers team. Mark organises the River Relays and is also very involved with the Wedding Day 7K in Bushy Park.

Andrew Lane

Current chairman of Stragglers Running Club. Runs each year, and usually helps to mark the course before and during the event. Andrew promotes the relay within the club and with others. Is a huge asset to the club and will most definitely be running this year.

Alan Pemberton, Steve Daly and Simon Brazil

Stragglers version of the "Rat Pack". Internationally acclaimed runners, singers and drinkers. They are all stage and team winners. Two previous Stragglers men's captains - they did follow a good act (if I say so myself) and our current club secretary. Alan is one of only three people to have ran in every GBR. They help organise the Stragglers teams. How well they perform on the Sunday is inversely proportional to the amount of time they spend in the bar on the Saturday night. I'm looking forward to having a beer with them over the weekend.

Tim Wood (and Corporal)

How could I forget, Captain (Stand to attention!) Tim and his dog Corporal. Checks and marks the course, time-keeps, runs, keeps me amused, wined and dined and general (sorry, didn't mean to promote him) good old chap. Claims to be Irish, but with a voice like his only blue blood runs through those veins. Any girls, in any country, want their garden looked after or need some painting and decorating, then Tim is the man to do it. Promise I won't say any more Tim.

Others

Emma and Clare Davis

My 15 and 11 year old daughters. I drag them out, in all weathers, all around the Green Belt of London. Checking the course and taking pictures. They are the little ones you can see rapped up having picnics in many of the photos. They love it and always tell me they do. It's been a wonderful educational experience for them. Hopefully, in the distant future we will see them running in the GBR. Look forward to that day.

Pat & Alan Short

The reason you get branded goodies and not cheap ones is due to Alan. Both Pat and Alan did the goodie bags for the last couple of years and will do again this year. In recent years they have taken on the role of trouble-shooters, being present over the weekend to be backup when things don't go to plan. Alan is a keen golfer and previous winner of the Irish Open Handicap at Hoebridge. They help to mark the course on the Friday and will be there all weekend to help deal with any problems that may arise.

Paul Graham

Paul has been supportive over the last two years in publicising the relay and has taken on the task of getting the Stragglers men's team together this year. Unfortunately he has just developed an injury and will not be able to run with them.

Clive Beauvais & Sue Ashley

Clive & Sue have supported the relay since the start in 1995. Between them they have won seven stages and both have collected team awards. They are members of many clubs including Ranelagh, Epsom & South London Harriers. Sue is a world class ultra runner and has completed JOGLE on her own. Last year they proved to be a big asset to the relay by making a huge improvement to stage 17 (Boxhill to West Hanger). They have helped marked the route for many years and will do so again this year.

Robert Teer and Friends from Essex

Robert is one of the organisers of the Essex Way Relay. An 81 mile run from Epping Station to the sea at Harwich. For the last couple of years this group from south Essex have marked the route through Belhus Park to the start of the MarDyke Way past Aveley.

Roy Reeder

Stragglers Treasurer, looks after the money side of the event. Holds the record for stage 18. Has ran for Stragglers and a member of the Shandies winning team of 2003.

The Marshals

Many thanks to the Pile Family, Les, Jackie & Nick Brown and their army of helpers at Boxhill, Tony & Shirley Oakes, Arthur Boardman, Paul Sinton-Hewitt, The Little Feet, and all the other marshals who come and help over the weekend.

The Time-keepers.

The most important people in the relay, each leg would not start without them, and many of them have been doing it for years. Give them your support and co-operation during the event. They deserve it.

The Long Family – James, Sue, Emma & Steve have been involved in the GBR for many years. From time-keeping and marshalling to doing the bar-b-que at the end. You will see them again this year. This whole family have been such a rock for the relay and are currently doing a lot of work in the build up to this year's race. James done a great job over the last two years, being in overall charge of the time-keepers, and has agreed to carry on the same role this year.

Sue Waters – Stragglers ex-Ladies Captain and a person you can really depend on. Just tell her what you need as an end result and you know it's done. As well as time-keeping and running in the relay (usually both - even winning legs in past years), Sue has organised accommodation for Stragglers and helpers over the years. Is a timekeeper again this year. Look at the photos - you'll do just as she tells you.

Keith Haworth - Wonderful sense of humour, great bloke and Stragglers Club Captain. Known to most as the man with the very loud voice. Loves the event and is involved again every year. You may even hear him making a speech at the end "Ladies and gentlemen, can I have your attention please for one or two, brief ………". His wife, Julie, sometimes runs for the Stragglers Ladies' Team.

John Greaves - Time-keeper and competitor for the last few years. Can endure the most unendurable people in the world and always has a smile on his face. Will be timekeeping, but not running this year.

Andrew Wallace. - Lives on a lady, well so he's always told me, painted her bottom a few years ago. Was worried about him, but I later found out it's a boat on the Thames. Runner, time-keeper, marshal. When not canoeing across the channel or coaching others, spends some of his spare time checking the course.

Sue and Ray Cockle - Both keen runners and time-keepers for a few years. In 2002 Sue ran three legs for Stragglers Ladies', due to another team member being injured, and what a performance she produced in all three. Ray is a professional photographer and is the official race photographer - look on the 2003 / 4 reports for his photos for the last two years. Your picture may be viewed all over the world. In 2002 (and 2003) gave me a photo of him running, maybe he's also a magician.

Val Tanner - Another experienced time-keeper and marshal. Val’s other half, Don Anderson is President of Belgrave Harriers and has won four GBR legs over the years, some of which were when he was relegated to the Stragglers Second Team. Maybe there is a lesson for the first team captain here.

Mike & Kirsty Bangham - Mike was Stragglers website editor for many years and always likes to have things go with perfection. Has been a keen supporter of the relay over the years and is great at finding historical information on the course and correcting my grammar. I am really grateful for the latter - please keep it up Mike. Usually teams up with daughter, Kirsty (not Stragglers Ladies Captain), each year. In 2007 marshalled both days with John Greaves and marked parts of stage 10 and 11.

Colin Penn – Ex-secretary of Stragglers and Race Referee for the last few years. If you want someone to help you organise a race, Colin is the person. Time-keeper since the first GBR. Good to see him back again this year.

Finally thanks to Jim Desmond for setting this page up. I may have added a lot to it, but have not changed what you said about me - that wouldn't be fair. I'd just write about myself.

Sean Davis

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