Our next nominaton for featured TRACcie is Gary Pearse, nominated by Ela and Andy. Have a read through the nomination reasons and Gary’s thoughts on TRAC, and then check out his excellent LLHM report if you haven’t already done so!
Please provide details on why you would like to nominate your fellow TRACcie
Gary has been incredibly supportive since my injury, stepping in to help my daughter with her C25K challenges and encouraging her all the way to her Parkrun graduation, making sure she crossed the finish line with a fantastic time.
Also huge congratulations to him on his own amazing progress since last year’s LLM, especially completing two 10-mile runs recently despite a sore knee. Well done! (Ela Wojciechowska)
Please provide details on why you would like to nominate your fellow TRACcie
Gary has been absolutely amazing in his dedication to better himself over the last year. He – and he would admit this – was overweight and out of condition. He did the London Landmarks Half Marathon and attempted the Virtual London Marathon – I was with him for some of the later – and he struggled during both of them having to bail out of the later.
Through determination and a will to get himself fit he has lost over 5 stone and overcome over things that might have set him back – illness, injuries and at times not believing in himself when those that have been on his journey can see the difference it has made to him. This culminated in him absolutely smashing his PB for the London Landmarks Half Marathon taking over an hour and quarter off of it.
He has also helped the Club by being Club Treasurer and being supportive to runners also starting out on their own journey either on the recent Couch 2 5K programme or those joining. All in all a really decent person who deserves recognition for what he has done. (Andy Whitnell)
Q. What attracted you to join TRAC?
A. I have always struggled with my weight, and decided to have a go at couch to 5k. I downloaded the app and promised myself “next week”, followed by “next week”, but never actually starting, when I saw a Facebook post about Thanet Roadrunners C25K program. After a few weeks shivering in the January cold, I started making more and more friends, and by the graduation, I knew I wanted to be a part of the club!
Q. What’s your best moment?
A. There have been so many! I have to say, our trip to Benidorm in November really stands out. It was my first real attempt at a timed event, and I took my 10k PB down from 1:33 to 1:04. And to top it all, spend a brilliant weekend with so many friends. Massive thanks to Jon Holl for arranging that, and everybody who came.
Q. What would you say to a new person who is considering joining?
A. Do it!, Don’t hesitate, but be warned, it will change your life. Through the hard days, the painful days, the easy days, and the races, there is nothing like the feeling of having a whole club of people backing you all the way, and I think TRAC does that better than anyone.
Q. What does the club mean to you?
A. TRAC is full of my friends, it’s full of support when I need it, and it’s full of people I can help when they need it. As a member, and in my role as club treasurer, I always try to make the club be the best it can be. Even my wife, Julie who doesn’t run feels like part of the club. I hope to have many more years as a member, even after my time on the committee has ended.
