Stone Master Marathoners – Our Races & How Members Can Help

Race Committee Co-ordinator and Chief Race Marshal, Brian Hall, has penned a piece to discuss our yearly races and how all members can play their part in keeping our club great!


I’m sure that when you see the emails from me begging for assistance at our events, your instant reaction is to think “here we go again – I’ve got to take the dog out, or wash my hair this weekend”, much more vital things to do than standing on a junction watching runners jog past without a word of thanks.

Please let me take a few minutes of your time to explain why our races are so important to our Club and to you, the members.

First, for the newer members, the events which we stage or participate in are:

  1. Spring Treble Challenge – the brainchild of one of our more senior members David Upton. As the name suggests, this is a series of three races on consecutive Thursday evenings usually in April. These are tough, off-road events each 5 to 6 miles long and have become very popular with local runners. Venues this year were Kibblestone, Milford Common and Barlaston Downs
  2. Westbridge 5 – usually in the first week of June and initially linked to Stone Festival, a flat, fast five mile loop along the canal to Aston and back categorised as multi terrain. This race is in the North Staffs Road Runners Association programme of races and is favoured by club runners and fun runners alike
  3. Also in June as part of the Stone Festival and to benefit the local community, we help to organise the Steeplechase and Dog Derby on the Monday evening of Festival week
  4. Flying Fox 10 – a ten – mile road race around the picturesque lanes of Standon, Chapel Chorlton and Maer. This is usually the last of the annual NSRRA races and attracts a field of between 200 and 300 runners
  5. Flying Fox Marathon – in 2017 we’re undertaking a huge commitment by organising our well-loved Marathon.

So, what is so important?

Primarily, income from the events, other than the Festival fun runs, is a vital supplement to the club’s finances and without this your annual subscriptions would at least double. The effect of this would, particularly in today’s climate, no doubt deter members from joining or renewing their membership. It is also possible, from this income, to donate to worthy charities and each year we give hundreds of pounds to charities usually nominated by the various Race Directors.

Members of Stone Master Marathoners join John Haine to hand over the £500 cheque
Members of Stone Master Marathoners join John Haine to hand over the £500 cheque

Organising races and similar events is also a good source of interaction between local clubs; we often exchange ideas and information at these venues which gives a useful insight into the world of running around us.

By no means least, the team spirit which is generated by all who take part in organising our events is excellent and spills over to the runners who all seem to enjoy themselves, no matter how tough the terrain! Your assistance is truly appreciated by the runners, the   management committee of the club and particularly by me. The numbers helping, certainly over the past couple of years has grown, making my job easy. We strive to make the events as professional as possible and this can only be done by working as a team, but it is vital that we have volunteer reserves for the future.

Westbridge 5Please remember that it is a rule of the club that all members should help with at least one event each year, a couple of hours out of the whole year is surely not too much to ask!

If you have not yet assisted and wish to do so, there are not just races but also several social events; just ask any one of the organising committee who will be delighted to point you in the right direction.

Thank you all very much for your help in the past, and in the future. It is your club after all! And best wishes for the forthcoming year.

Brian Hall

SMM gifts £500 from Spring Treble to local charity

Stone Master Marathoners has gifted £500 to the Stone Community Hub, a charity dedicated to improving the lives of local people in times of need. Generated from their April trio of races, Spring Treble, the running club’s kind donation will be used for providing Hub’s financial assistance service for 6 months.

Stone Master Marathoners has a real passion for supporting both charity and the local community and Race Director John Haine was delighted to hand over the cheque at a presentation at SMM HQ. He commented, “Stone Master Marathoners aims to inspire runners of all abilities to develop their skills. The club is proud to be part of our local Stone community and our aim is to support other organisations whenever we can.”

The Hub’s Manager, Karen Wardell, was on hand to receive the cheque and told SMM “The donation of £500 will make a significant difference to the work of Stone Community Hub; we will use it to fund the money advice service we offer. We work both with those in debt and those struggling to budget. It is great example of the community working together when local groups such as Stone Master Marathoners offer to support the work we do.” On behalf of the Hub Karen also welcomed anyone in need of help or advice to pop by to the Frank Jordan Centre and a friendly face would be happy to guide them.

Stone Master Marathoners has a long tradition of supporting local charities and plans to continue this with upcoming races including Flying Fox 10 in November and the superb Flying Fox Marathon set for May 2017. Meeting regularly at Stone Tennis Club, the club urges all runners, from total beginner to elite, to join them for a chat and training run to make their running aspirations a reality. For full details of how you can get involved visit www.stonemm.co.uk.

SMM's John Haine presents Hub Manager, Karen Wardell, with the cheque
SMM’s John Haine presents Hub Manager, Karen Wardell, with the cheque