Profiles of some of the Club's Committee
Name: Jeffrey Aston
Place of birth: Walsall Wood, Staffordshire
Favourite running distance: In the 1980s it had to be 10 miles - this is a classic distance and there was a 10 mile race every other week at least
Nowadays, I don't consider my running as more than survival and enjoyment at finishing!
Favourite race/ event: It has to be the London Marathon 1983 - first (and only) time under 2:30. However, I really enjoy the way that competitors in the Handicap 10 all come together over the last 2 miles or so - or maybe it is down to the handicapping!
What do you bring to the committee:
a. Experience - I have been on every Les Croupiers Club Committee since the club was formed!
b. Objectivity.
c. An interest in statistics and the history of the club.
Interesting fact: In 1981 the Mentholatum company that manufactured 'Deep Heat' ran an advert in the London Marathon program, saying 'How to finish 765th in the London Marathon'. When I pointed out that I had done that they sent me a large box of Deep Heat!
Interesting fact from the responses so far:
Most of the male members of the committee were born in England.
Walsall Wood (J Aston) is about a half-marathon from Warley (J Bruce).
Place of birth: Morriston, Swansea
Favourite running distance: xc or 5km/half marathon
Favourite race/ event: Too many to pick but Castle Relays, Armagh 5km and London Marathon are up there.
What you bring to the committee: New ideas and a lot of energy.
Interesting fact: I was Welsh Chess Champion when I was in primary school - don’t ask me for a game now as I can’t remember a thing.
James Bruce
Place of birth: Mums living room floor - Warley - West Midlands
Favourite running distance: Half to Marathon
Favourite race/ event: Welsh Castles Relay (but not leg 10 !) ; Hopefully the New York Marathon this year !
What you bring to the committee: Cakes. Help support the committee and work with effective traditions of the club and bring in new ones too. And bring in the odd bad joke or three.
Interesting fact: Not followed by Ryan Reynolds (yet) on twitter. First marathon was whilst living in Kentucky in 1997, Chicago..
Richie Bullen joined the Club in 1982 shortly after it was formed and became Club Treasurer in 1988.
Place of birth: Solihull. Studied at Cardiff University and did not return back across the border.
Favourite running distance: 10K (101 completed of which the first 78, July 1985 - June 2009 were sub-35 minutes).
Favourite race/ event: Currently the Great South Run (10 miles). Since 2005 I have raced it fifteen times, run it once with Yvonne, and twice been a spectator as injured.
What you bring to the committee: Hopefully brevity, occasionally some common sense, and always attention to any financial implications of decisions made.
Interesting fact: A non-running one: my degree was in Philosophy. A running one: after Margam Park my total cross-country races for Les Croupiers stood at 261.
Welfare: Karen Chadwell
Name: Karen Chadwell, Club Welfare Officer
Place of birth: Rottenrow Maternity Hospital, Glasgow
Favourite running distance: Something longer. Short stuff hurts. As does falling over (I have a reputation…)
Favourite race/ event: Just one? I can’t do that! If I had to pick a race, it’s got to be Snowdonia Marathon, I have a real soft spot for it. As far as an event goes, it goes without saying; I am totally and utterly obsessed with parkrun. Volunteering, running, walking, touring, reading and researching, talking about it, boring the pants off anyone who can’t escape me…..
What you bring to the committee: I like to think I’m a voice for the less speedy club members, aiming to keep things inclusive.
Interesting fact: I like to bake 😊
Kelly Crofts
Place of birth: UHW, Cardiff born and bred
Favourite running distance: anything from 10k to 10 miles
Favourite race/event: love the Rabbit run and pudding run. Any off road or trail is generally the best.
What you bring to the committee: brand new to the committee so this is yet to be seen. Can promise to bring enthusiasm and quick typing.
Interesting fact: I played the steel pan for a number of years in high school and after I left school. Our band once opened the Notting Hill Carnival which was a fabulous weekend.
Dave George details to follow soon.
Peter Gillibrand.
Place of birth: Bangor, although I’m a west Wales boy through and through
Favourite running distance: 5km-half
Favourite race/ event: Florence Marathon
What you bring to the committee: A can-do attitude and a drive to bond the team and organise the more social side
Interesting fact: Ryan Reynolds follow me on Twitter, @GillibrandPeter for anyone who’s interested.
John Griffin is the Club’s Chairman.
He joined the club shortly after it was formed and was a formidable runner in his time! Irrepressible John dedicates a huge amount of his time to the Club – from putting up the tents and storing the kit to time keeping and handing out club vests.
He’s also Co-Race Director for the Welsh Castles Relay and an official for the Gwent League and most major races in South Wales.
Place of birth: Paddington London .
Favourite running distance: was 10 to 20 miles. I found the Marathon a step too far after the 4th one. Slow learner.
Favourite race/event: Rhayader 20. and obviously the Castles.
What you bring to the committee: 28 years of Consistency and an aim to implement new ideas to improve our club.
Interesting fact: The Second World War was declared exactly 1 month after I was born but not my fault.
Claire Jacobs
Place of birth: complicated!
Favourite running distance: Marathon
Favourite race/ event: Black Mountains trail race
What you bring to the committee: Updates on castle entries, info on recruiting & entering members to XC events/road relays (when possible), and anything the committee would like me to do (within reason)!
Interesting fact: Attended lunch at Highgrove Palace with Prince Charles and 6 other Student Union Presidents in 2001. The cheese soufflé was bang on! Also used to sing in a band.
Alan Mason is the Membership Secretary and he joined the club in 2004.
What he likes most about running is getting out into the open air and he runs on the Taff Trail often as he lives close by.
He’s raced all distances from 800m to marathons.
Besides running he enjoys cycling, reading and listening to music.
Name: David McDonald
Place of birth: York in God's Country
Favourite running distance: 5km
Favourite race/ event: London Marathon because of the range of emotions that taking part stirs within all of the competitors, mine particularly being love and admiration for the people that I have taken part with. Followed closely by the Barry 40/Marathon, both taking part and supporting; a perfect event rewarding hard work and dedication with camaraderie and an outpouring of support.
Interesting fact: I was an active Tae-Kwondo black belt until my ribs were broken in 3 places! Running is generally much safer although others may choose to disagree after a good XC or trail race!
The following advice is intended to keep our runners SAFE at all times!
It is also essential that, whilst out running as a club, we are seen to be polite, responsible, set a good example & not put others at risk.
AT ALL TIMES BE SAFE BE SEEN! You can never be too visible! During the day, always wear bright or light-coloured clothing - fluorescent is good.
At night we would strongly recommend that people ALWAYS wear light-coloured clothing plus a REFLECTIVE (not just fluorescent) bib or sash.
Clip on flashers are a great way to be seen. NEVER ASSUME YOU'VE BEEN SEEN. Always be cautious with traffic.
We would like to remind people that they are responsible for their own safety and that they run at their own risk.
