Give running a go! – sign up to The Saxons 5 Mile Race
Saxmundham Running & Fitness Club operates as one of the sporting sections of the Saxmundham Sports & Recreational Club, a registered charity that owns the Carlton Park sports ground at Saxmundham, Suffolk. The Saxons has more than 70 members and is run entirely by volunteers.
The aim of the club is to teach the principles of running and training with the emphasis on having fun while getting fit. Club nights are Tuesdays and Thursdays, and ages range from young adults to people in their seventies.
Chris Fuller, from Leiston, joined The Saxons in September 2021. He had only started running a month earlier, encouraged by one of his sisters who thought it would be a good idea for him to get out of the house and do a Parkrun 5k at Sizewell.
That first run started Chris’s obsession with running, and has seen him go from strength to strength, improving not only his fitness but his mental health.
Chris said: “I joined The Saxons club as I wanted to run with other people and to keep healthy. I’ve made a lot of friends that I go running with now which has made me faster and pushed me with my running and my fitness. When I first came to the club I was nervous to start with but within three or four weeks I was fine.”
James Wilson, head coach of The Saxons said: “Chris started at Saxmundham Saxons in 2021, shortly after completing his first Parkrun at Sizewell in 29 minutes 11 seconds. Since then, he has knocked nearly 10 minutes off that time, achieved personal best times throughout all distances every month, has now completed Marathons and is preparing for an Ultra Marathon in September.
“Chris is the embodiment of what running is about: determination, resilience and most of all enjoyment. To be able to have the opportunity to watch Chris not just grow as an athlete, but vastly increase his self-esteem and confidence has been greatly rewarding for me as a coach.”
The annual Saxons Five Mile Race takes place on Sunday, October 6 at Carlton Park, IP17 1AT. On offer is a multi-terrain course on footpaths, fields, and roads. The family-friendly event comprises a junior fun run followed by an adult race in which 250 participants can take part.
On the day of the race, Chris will be taking a day off from his routine of running races every weekend across East Anglia, and with fellow club members will be volunteering as a marshal.
The junior fun run starts at 10am and costs £2 to enter, and the adult race for ages 15 and over starts at 11am. Registration costs £16 or £14 for affiliated club runners.
Chris added: “It’ll be good seeing all the runners coming to our club from all the different clubs and doing our race. There are all kinds of people at the races of all speeds and abilities. Some people are really fast and very athletic, some people are in their seventies and it’s inspiring how they do it.
“This time four years ago I would never have thought I could do a half marathon let alone a marathon, it’s crazy. I’d say have a go, give it a go – you never know what you can do in life.”
The Saxons are incredibly grateful to all their race sponsors for their kindly supporting the event including Marshall & Lilley opticians, Fairweather Law, Flick & Son, The Poacher’s Pocket, Christies Care, Saxmundham Town Council, O & C Butcher, CRASL Accounting Services, Stay in Suffolk, Wag & Bone, Emmerdale Farm Shop, COES and Angel Podiatry and NFP Engine.
Demi Winton, recruitment team leader, of Christies Care, comments: “Christies Care prides itself on being part of the local community having been based in Saxmundham since 1987. Christies Care are proud to not only sponsor the Saxons 5 Mile, but also have regular team members taking part every year.”
To enter the race visit www.thesaxons.org.uk/saxons-5-mile-race