Welcome back Andy O'Sullivan
Andy O’Sullivan, MBE is now back in training to run an ‘Off Road’ Half Marathon on 16th August.
The retired Rochdale Policeman received Major Cancer Surgery in September 2019.
Andy who has organised 681 Charity Road, Trail & Fell races, has completed 46 comeback runs!
The Rochdale Harriers life Member is raising funds for the Local branch of CRUK.
In 2019/20 the ARC permitted Races donated £24,000 to various charitable causes!
Andy O'Sullivan presents trainers to Paula Dunn
March 2019
Dual Olympian Sprinter and Former Commonwealth Gold Medallist Paula Dunn MBE visited Rochdale this morning to collect a large number of Racing shoes and training kit from Rochdale’s Race Organiser Andy O’Sullivan MBE.
Paula who raced at Seoul & Atlanta Olympics does great works with young Athletes in inner city Manchester.
Andy from Lower Healey has organised more than 670 Charity Road, Trail & Fell Races. Andy said “ Paula is an Inspiration, she achieved so much on the Track, she is now inspiring youngsters to emulate her”.
Paula said “ The Kids will be delighted with the Trainers & Training tops”.
ARC's Andy
O'Sullivan presents
cheque for £14000.
 Cheque
Presentation on
£14,000 at
Morrison's Store in
Bacup! This was the
amount donated in
Cash and Sportswear
and Foodstuffs
during last
Financial year!
Once again an ARC
Club putting Running
to good purposes!
The young lady in
centre is Amy Tosh
from Santander. The
Bulk of the Races
were held in
Whitwortharound the
'Cowm' Reservoir.
ARC club raises £500
for local charity
Above; Andems
Runners (Andy
O’Sullivan)with
Morrisons staff,
just presented
£500 Xmas
Foodstuffs to
Homeless of
Rochdale!
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It will be based
on the TOPS
listing for all
ARC races in
each calendar
year. The first
awards will be
based on the
2015 race
results.
Awards will be
for the 1st,
2nd, 3rd, Male
and Female ARC.
CLUB MEMBER,
listed in each
of the following
race distances.
5Km, 5Mile,
10Km, 10Mile,
Half Marathon,
and Marathon.
The Tops
listings can be
found
HERE
The 2015 award
winners can be
found
HERE |
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ARC permitted event raises £11,500
for local charities
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The Manager and
staff at Morrison’s
Bacup branch with
prolific athletics
race organiser Andy
O’Sullivan
MBE (wearing the ARC
hoodie) presenting
cheque for £11,500
to local charities
during financial
year 2015/16.
Martin Topham of
Petrus (Rochdale)
Homeless is on the
left, John
Waterhouse (Branch
Manager) in centre
and Andy O’Sullivan
on right. Andy said
“ John, Sam and the
Team from Morrison’s
have been so
supportive to the 5K
races in Rochdale &
Rossendale, that’s
why we raised the
cash for local
causes” |
Leith hill Half Marathon
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Click above image to enlarge |
Voted
number 1 race in the land -leaves
3000 events trailing to clinch
magazine title.
Pemitted by ARC (see press
cutting left) |
Andems Runners - Donation
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Andy O'Sullivan and a
group of Morrison’s
staff presenting
£500.00’s worth of
festive foodstuffs to
the local homeless
unit! Once again, ARC
member Andems Runners
using running to do good
work in the community!
The Donation was from
the Lynne Edmondson &
Christine Navan Memorial
5K! |
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Membership Growth 2007 to 2015
We
have grown from 116 clubs/organisations in
our first year and enjoyed continuous growth every year with
currently more than 300 clubs/organisations (see table below).
We expect growth
to continue.
|
Year |
clubs/organisations |
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2007/2008 |
116 |
|
2008/2009 |
145 |
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2009/2010 |
165 |
|
2010/2011 |
202 |
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2011/2012 |
227 |
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2012/2013 |
272 |
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2013/2014 |
301 |
|
2014/2015 |
310 |
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Advice for runners from Lyme Disease Action
From veteran
marathon runners to recreational joggers, from people who run in
urban parks to those who prefer to take more extreme routes,
charity
Lyme Disease Action asks all runners to be tick-aware when
out and about this spring and summer.
Caused by the
bite of an infected tick, Lyme disease is found across the UK,
in city parks (such as Richmond Park in suburban London) as well
as in rural areas. Carried by deer, small mammals and birds,
ticks (whose population peaks from April to October) are
able to sense a passing potential blood donor by picking up the
carbon dioxide that humans exhale. They hook their legs onto
clothing or skin and hide in warm, dark corners of the body.
Tiny – the size of a fullstop – ticks can easily go undetected
and their bite does not cause irritation, because they inject
their host with an anaesthetic.
Lyme disease
causes a range of unpleasant symptoms which may include a
circular red rash, headaches, a stiff neck, extreme fatigue,
muscle and joint pain, and disturbances of sight, hearing,
digestive system and sleep. If left untreated it can progress to
the joints, the heart and the nervous system.
There’s no need
to be afraid – it’s more a case of being aware; knowing how to
reduce the chances of being bitten, how to remove a tick and
knowing what to look out for in the way of symptoms.
To reduce the
risk of being bitten by an infected tick, Lyme Disease Action
advises runners to take the following precautions:
• Try
to avoid stretching out on long grass
•
Ensure you brush your clothing and bare skin off before going
indoors
• Use
an insect repellent effective against ticks (look for those
containing the chemical DEET)
•
Check for ticks regularly and very carefully when you wash or
shower after a run
• Try
to avoid running through areas of long grass or bracken
•
Remove any ticks found attached as soon as possible
Tick removal
Ticks
should be removed immediately with a tick removal tool. Do not
try to pull the tick out with your fingers, burn the tick or
cover it with creams or chemicals. If you don’t have a tick
removal tool, use a thread of cotton wound round close to the
skin and pull upwards or, alternatively, cut a slit in a plastic
card and slide that under the tick’s body. This reduces the risk
of squashing the tick’s body and the rick regurgitating the
(potentially infected) contents of its stomach directly into the
bloodstream of the host (the human).
Treatment
If
you have been bitten by a tick and notice any of the above
symptoms, seek medical help straight away. Diagnosed and treated
early, Lyme disease can be treated successfully with
antibiotics. NB tick bites do not itch like mosquito bites, so
awareness is important to aid diagnosis.
Much more
information is available on the Lyme Disease Action website (www.lymediseaseaction.org.uk).
Lyme Disease Action is a charity striving for greater awareness
of Lyme disease and associated tick-borne diseases.
Ends – 30 April
2014
Note to Editors:
A
Lyme disease poster, showing how to remove a tick correctly, and
leaflets on Lyme disease, are available for publication if
required or, free of charge, for readers to take to their own
local GP, veterinary practice or running club. A fact sheet is
also available on request. Tick removers can be ordered via the
Lyme Disease Action website (www.lymediseaseaction.org.uk)
and cost from £4.99 including p&p.
Press: Issued by
Lyme Disease Action’s press office (www.lymediseaseaction.org.uk).
For more
information,
case studies or to speak to Stella Huyshe-Shires, the Chair of
Lyme Disease Action, please contact Sue Ockwell or Helena Hamlyn
via email –
press@lymediseaseaction.org.uk – or ring 020 8891 4440.
ARC
Championships
Ian Vaughan-Arbuckle has
taken over responsibility for ARC Championships with immediate
effect. He is looking for clubs to stage some championships in
2014. Please see the
Championships page for details.
Full On
Sport
For further information contact:
steve@fullonsport.co.uk
| 01935 426779
see
www.fullonsport.co.uk
Possible ARC Newsletter.
Your
committee is keen to explore the possible production of a newsletter
for ARC members. The idea is for a regular electronic production,
perhaps every 4 months or so, to be sent direct to each club.
Distribution to individuals would have to be effected by clubs since
the ARC does not hold individual contact details.
The
newsletter would contain a variety of general interest articles on
running, a photographic competition, regular contribution from
committee members, reports from member clubs on races, member
spotlight, training tips, letters/forum, diary, ARC championships
and other articles of interest.
Before
embarking on a project of this magnitude, it will be essential to
know whether the idea is wholeheartedly supported by members. We
have already mailed your club to seek their views, but the opinion
of individual members would also be very welcome. If you would like
to comment please do so using the following email address:
newsletter@runningclubs.org.uk
Yours
in sport,
Ian Vaughan-Arbuckle.
Committee Member.
01929
426956
Concerns have been raised in the media recently
over the threat to ash trees in the UK following the identification
of the potentially deadly disease of Ash Dieback (Chalara faxinea)
British Orienteering has issued the following
advice to all clubs on the biosecurity measures that should be taken
by all orienteers (i.e Planners, Controllers and control hangers, as
well as competitors) when holding or participating in an area
suspected to contain Ash trees:
- Thoroughly wash all footwear before
leaving the area, ensuring that all mud, soil and leaf litter is
removed. Event organisers may wish to provide water, buckets and
brushes at a suitable location i.e at a point where there is
little risk of further contamination.
- On returning home rinse all boots and
shoes in a chlorine based cleaner or garden fungicide and allow
them to dry thoroughly. N.B please read the manufacturer’s
label and follow their instructions on use and disposal of the
product.
- Thoroughly wash and dry all kit and any
other clothing that may potentially have been contaminated with
fungal spores.
- Clothing and footwear should not be reused
for at least 48 hours after drying.
Whilst it is currently thought that the disease
is restricted to East Anglia and the South East of England, this
position may change as Forestry Commission pathologists and
surveyors enter more woodlands
Peter Brett, Environment Officer.
ARC Affiliation and Fees after 1st
April 2013
Q. What are the fees for
races and events organised by ARC Affiliated Clubs ?
A. Affiliated Clubs
will pay a fee of £25 for each Race or Event Permit issued. They
will pay nothing more after the race or event.
Q. What are the fees for
races organised by ARC Associate Members ?
A. Associate Member
races will pay the fees set out in the Schedule of fees attached to
the Permit Application for Associate Member races and also published
elsewhere on this website. These fees approximate to those currently
charged by ARC and are some 25% less than those charged by
UKAthletics.
Q. What is the situation
regarding the £2 unattached runner levy ?
A. Races must
continue to surcharge runners who do not belong to a club affiliated
to ARC or UKAthletics. However races will now retain the whole of
this levy for their own purposes.
Q Can clubs whose members
participate in both track and field and road running affiliate just
their road running section to ARC and pay ARC affiliation fees based
on just the number of those in their road/trail/cross-country/fell
running section ?
A. Yes
Subject to approval at ARC AGM on
17.11.12
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Andy and Kate
Bleasdale
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Andy
O’Sullivan,
MBE is
arguably the
World’s Most
Prolific
Unpaid Race
Organiser!
Andy, 59,
has
organised a
staggering
529
races, all
for
Charitable
purposes.
The Former
Rochdale
Policeman,
first
started
organising
races from
his local
pub in 1983.
The self
confessed
extrovert
told ARC. ‘
I did Cross
Country at
School, then
I switched
to boxing,
as soon as I
could I
joined the
Rochdale
Police
Force, long
hours and
dedication
meant that
my fitness
suffered’.
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In
1982 I ran in a
7 mile Fun Run
from Rochdale
Town centre,
really enjoyed
it and was
bitten by the
Running Bug! In
September 1983 I
was persuaded to
stage a 5 mile
race from the
‘Local’. Two
Dozen Saudi
Arabian Cops
took part and it
raised £366 for
‘A Hospice For
Rochdale
Appeal’. I was
on my way!
I have staged as
many as 38 races
in one year, and
in 1991 I was
awarded the
British Empire
Medal for
Community
services to
Athletics. In
2004 I was one
of only 3 people
from the North
of England to
carry the
Olympic Torch in
London, it was a
great experience
mingling with
lots of Olympic
Gold Medallists!
My ‘Stint’ was
in Peckham,
Only Fools And
Horses?????
On 31st
December 2004 I
was appointed
MBE for services
to Athletics and
on my visit to
Buckingham
Palace I
finished my
conversation
with Prince
Charles, stating
‘My Knees are in
Fine Fettle’! I
really enjoy
organising these
races and have
made great
changes to the
Courses, this
minimises People
power and
maximises safety
of all
concerned. The
bulk of the
races are now
round
reservoir’s.
I am delighted
to join ARC and
look forward to
working
alongside people
who love the
sport! Details
of these races
are on
www.ukresults.net |
ARC
Rankings
ARC now has a
ranking system for top
athletes. Top performances
over standard distances for
ARC permitted races will be
available on the following
link:-
CLICK HERE
Suspension Notice
The result of a Case
Management Decision is
publicised on the
UKAthletics website
ROBERT SLOAN - ATHLETE -
1st December 2011
Following an investigation
by England Athletics, an
Independent Disciplinary
Panel chaired by Mr Walter
Nicholls (Solicitor) met on
the 3rd November 2011 to
consider allegations of
misconduct against Mr Robert
Sloan, an athlete formerly
with Sunderland Harriers.
The outcome of the hearing
was that Mr Robert Sloan is
to be suspended from all
competition or from taking
part in any event organised
or run under UKA rules of
competition for a period of
6 months dated back from 9th
October 2011. Mr Sloan
declined the opportunity to
appeal the panels decision,
the suspension will cease on
Monday 9th April 2012 at
midnight.
ARC has decided that Mr
Robert Sloan is ineligible
under ARC Rule 1 (2) to take
part in competition under
ARC Rules. Mr Sloan's
ineligibility to compete
will cease on Monday 9th
April 2012 at midnight.
Grantham Running Club
ARC is keen
to receive comments from members
about our activities and are
pleased to have received this
welcome comment from Grantham
Running Club:-
We noticed
that there were plenty of
runners in the Grantham area
that didn’t belong to the
local UKA registered
athletic club. We identified
the barriers that prevented
them joining that club and
decided to form a club that
they could identify
themselves with and one that
they wanted to belong to –
Grantham Running Club.
Our aims are to encourage
and support anyone that
wants to take up running, no
matter what their ability.
Like ARC, we also believe
that running as a
sport/hobby or organising
running as a club, shouldn’t
cost the earth or be overly
bureaucratic. We aim to be a
low cost and light touch
club that is in touch with
its members.
We applaud the folks at ARC
for making it possible for
us to achieve our goals.
GRC Committee
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North East Marathon
Club
ARC is
pleased to support the North East Marathon Club. Their
race programme has been welcomed with enthusiasm by many
North East athletes.
Click
HERE to see
two articles
Starting a Running
Club
I
started a club in September 2010, similar idea to
yourself there is other clubs in my area but I felt a
desire to be involved in something new !
Originally we formed as a run in England group and I
attended the leadership in running course, after a month
it was obvious that run in England did not meet our
needs or seem to provide value for money, so after a bit
of research the obvious step forward was to affiliate
with ARC (Association of Running Clubs)
Initially I made contact with my local gym, put my idea
to them and they agreed to allow me to run my sessions
from there, this gave my members car parking & changing
facilities.
On the
first night we had 12 turn up, since then membership has
grown and we now get around 50 runners on a regular
basis each session.
Only
recently as membership has grown to manage the club
efficiently I formed a committee and this helped with
the workload involved in running the club
We are
now currently working hard on planning our first annual
10k race which is proposed for next summer.
Hope it
all goes well.
Mark Connor of Liverpool
Running BUGS
Ian Champion, ARC Committee
member and Chairman of the Road Runners Club, reviews a
recently published book about one of the great ultra
runners of yesteryear.
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On sale from 10th
August 2009
‘Tea With Mr Newton’
– 100,000 Miles the longest ‘Protest March’ in
history - by Rob Hadgraft
Published by Desert
Island Books
Foreword by Prof. Tim
Noakes
(author of ‘Lore of Running’)
224-page illustrated
hardback
ISBN
978-1-905328-64-2 Price £18.99
Order from:
www.desertislandbooks.com or
Amazon.co.uk, on or after 10th
August,
or Pre-order now via any bookshop |
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“At last
the definitive autobiography of the late truly great
ARTHUR NEWTON."
Arthur Newton a ‘self-taught’ runner became
an ‘ultra-distance’ running legend. In his later
years he became guru to many international runners
who were happy to ‘take tea’ with him at his home in
Ruislip, London. He was a very modest and private
man. He always avoided publicity and often never
revealed physical or medical injury problems he had
during his competitive years. Some of his private
life he does mention in his books but now at last we
have a far more detailed version. It makes
fasinating reading.
After very lengthy and detailed research,
experienced author Rob Hadgraft launches his fourth
book about a ‘running legend’. He reveals many
previously ‘unpublished’ facts about his every day
life style, relevant to his training and racing. He
also records previously little known or published
reports on some of the events Arthur took part in as
well as illustrations.
I recommend this as a very readable book and a
‘must have’ read for anyone with any ‘historical’
interest in the people and the races which have made
up our chosen sport of ‘road-running’
”.
Ian Champion
Additional to the above Arthur Newton
himself, wrote four books. ‘Running’, ‘Running on
Three Continents’, ‘Races and Training’ and
‘Commonsense Athletics’. They are now out of print
and are rare items to buy. However they are still
available from some libararies. For any aspiring
road runner, the book ‘Running’ is worth a read.
It tells the full story of how Arthur ‘taught
himself’ to run and why during the 1920’s and
1930’s. (He raced and trained, some walking but
mostly running, 109,000 miles). He won the
‘Comrades’ Ultra distance road race in South Africa
five times. He set new record times for the London
to Brighton race in UK, Bath to London 100 miles on
the road, 24 hours on the track and ran in
Trans-continental races in in America. It is very
interesting reading and nearly all of its aims and
principals are still applicable today.
For inexperienced runners and those prepared
to seek and learn it can be of benefit as a guide to
find out what is ‘best for the individual’ runner.
There are various running styles to suit various
needs and this book will give you some ideas as to
how to find out what is best for you. |
Do you
have Sports Massage at your event?
An increasing number of events
these days are providing on the day sports massage
facilities for competitors, pre race, post race or both.
Many organisers already have contacts with qualified
sports massage people who can come along to their event.
But for those ARC club organisers who would like to have
sports massage at their race but don’t have a source, we
draw attention to the service provided by the Sports
Massage Association (SMA). This is a nationwide
organisation and they have a facility on their web site
which allows race organisers to notify their need so that
SMA members in the area of the event can get in touch with
them. (Go to
www.sportsmassageassociation.org and click on “SMA
Events Service” ). Alternatively the same site gives
contact details of SMA members in various areas of the
country (click on “Find a Practitioner”).
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The Rough Guide to Running |
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"The Rough Guide to Running" will propel you ahead
of the pack with a power brew of reliable guidance
and inspirational tips. The guide includes the
basics from good running technique, goal setting
and motivation to schedules, preparation and how
to deal with injuries and strains. You'll find the
low-down from our team of professional runners,
coaches, health experts, including a nutritionist
and an osteopath as well as the best advise on
running shoes, clothes, accessories and gadgets,
and where to buy them. |
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They're all covered, from fun runs and charity
runs to clubs, competitive racing, marathons and
best running events around the world. Whether you
have already notched up many miles or are a
beginner taking your first steps in this addictive
pastime, you need this book. Stay ahead of the
pack with "The Rough Guide to Running!"
Available now with a
25% discount at www.roughguides.com |
ARC Membership Map of England (Location of all
affiliated clubs)
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Click
on the map for a full size version (with key to
clubs and organsiations) |
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News Archive
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