Chair Person – Selina Morris
My running journey started in 2010. One day I thought I would like to try running, and on my own I followed a C25K program. Myself and 2 other Mums went out each week pounding the local lanes and we then thought why not train for a race? In 2011 I ran my first 10K race, at Crowle, and the rest is history!
When I moved to Pershore, I joined the Pershore Plum Plodders which was very much in its infancy at the time. In those early days it was laps around the Abbey grounds.
From there I entered races along with the friends I had made in the club. I was also encouraged to get up early and head to Worcester Woods Parkrun on a Saturday morning
I’ve come a long way from those days, because of the Club support I have become more confident entering races which are more of a challenge (to me).
Since 2011 I have completed marathons, half marathons, 10k’s and 5k’s wearing my Plum top, with pride.
I have said NEVER to an Ultra but watch this space!
Vice Chair – Andy Foster
My running journey began in April 2024. I had been for a routine medical at my GP surgery earlier in the year and had my card marked. I needed to improve my health and I thought that running would help with that.
I did Couch to 5k and then thought I’d give Parkrun a try. I saw a lot of Plums at that first Parkrun and realised that I wouldn’t have the motivation to keep on running unless I found some others to run with, so decided to join the club.
On my first Plod night, everyone was so welcoming, I couldn’t wait to come back for the next session.
My health has improved a lot since I took up running, but what I had not expected was the improvement in my mental health and stress levels as a result of running itself but more so by being a member of this club and becoming friends with many members. Joining the club is truly one of the best decisions I have ever made.
At the age of 64 and with little running experience, my ambition greatly exceeds my ability and potential, but I love seeing how far I can push myself.I am truly in awe of the goals that so many other club members have achieved, and I get great pleasure from following their progress and encouraging everyone whenever I can.
Club Secretary – Dawn Pound
My running started in 2017, I had never been a runner before, just a spectator for my husband and daughter. Things changed when we started to go to parkrun and after many volunteering roles I decided to try and run/walk and now I’ve completed 3 marathons, a few half marathons and lots of 10ks, all with the help of my fellow Plums. I joined the Club after meeting so many friendly people at parkrun (purple being my favourite colour also helped). I joined the Committee as Secretary in 2018, had a break for 2 years but missed it so I’m back again!
Treasurer – Fiona Wall
Whilst going through a bit of a low patch in my life in 2010 my sister Sally and a close friend dragged me out to do some running to see if it would help me. Over the next few years we plodded together around Worcester until we heard of this new thing called parkrun that had started at the Countryside Centre. So, on 4thMay 2013, a couple of weeks after Sally, I plucked up the courage and took part in my first parkrun, not realising at this point, how much this decision would change my life for the better! I’d never thought about joining a running club but, in the build-up to the Worcester 10km in September 2014, which was to be my first ever 10km, I decided now was probably the right time. So, having seen them around at parkrun and thought they looked a fun group to be with, I decided to join the Plums. I couldn’t imagine a more supportive group of people to spend my time with and have made many close friends through the Plums. I have certainly taken part in races and events that I would have never imagined I would have a been capable of before I joined.
Welfare – Maggi Davis
In anticipation of my retirement I was looking for a way to meet people in my local area. I joined the C25K course being run in Upton upon Severn by MHDC. I graduated at Worcester Parkrun on 30 November 2019.
I ran each Tuesday with my Upton group and this continues to this day – we are a mixed informal running & walking group aged up to 82 – now known as the Tuesday Trotters.
When Covid intervened, parkrun was cancelled and Trotters were restricted to groups of 3. I carried on running and entered virtual races and challenges to keep me going. Working in school throughout this time was stressful and I certainly discovered the benefits of running for improving mental health!
Once ‘normal’ life resumed I began to run regularly at Worcester and joined Plodders. I have always found the encouragement of others helpful in motivating me, especially as I am at the ‘plodding’ end of Plodders!
I did parkrun at the Woods and on holiday until one day…somebody called Steve Nichols announced on Facebook that he was doing his 100th Tourist (Cowl Club) parkrun at Ashton Court in Bristol. I headed down and caught the tourist bug; discovered parkrun apps and Saturdays changed forever! 127 parkruns: 77 tourist and 34 volunteers at the date of writing.
Wednesdays are my regular plod night and encouraged by Elaine and Suzanne I became run leader (LIRF). I have also completed training to lead Visually Impaired Runners – an area that I hope to develop.
I enjoy the shorter distances and will occasionally run a 10K to stretch myself. October 2025 will see me run my first Half marathon in Oxford. How did that happen?
Membership Secretary – Lynsey Hall
I started running by completing the couch to 5k run in Bromsgrove. I then visited Worcester Parkrun, which I’d never heard about before. Here I asked someone where and what I needed to do. Fortunately, for me, they were a lovely friendly plum member who introduced me to the club. I may not have come back if it wasn’t for them! Since then friendships have formed and medals have been claimed for various distances. It’s always great to read and hear what everyone in the club is doing from just getting started to running ultra distances.
Runner Development – Ann Hewlett
I joined Pershore Plum Plodders in 2014 after starting parkrun earlier in the year and finding them all very friendly and supportive. Prior to starting parkrun if I went for a run it would only be around a mile and I could just about run walk around parkrun. I set myself of running a 10k before I was 50 but I didn’t stop there and was soon wanting to improve my times. I started running more regularly squeezing runs around my children’s activities and attending club runs. I never expected to end up running marathons. I started guide running in 2015 and I am currently involved with arranging guide running for New College Students. I am a run leader and I am keen to introduce others to the enjoyment of running. I have met so many wonderful people running, reached new goals and as well as keeping me fit it helps me unwind.
Being part of Pershore Plum Plodders is like being part of a big, happy running family. As Welfare Officer I want to help members to enjoy the positive and supportive running experience I have enjoyed.
Kit Officer – Sally Nash
I started running with a friend in 2010, it took us a while to build up confidence to join Parkrun, fearing we would be last! But we bite the bullet and did our first parkrun together on 20/4/2013. Two weeks after I convinced my sister Fiona to join us. It was here that I reconnected with my school friend who was a member of the Plums. Fiona had already joined the club and after some convincing I joined as well, I was reluctant as I thought I was too slow to be in a running group. I love being a Plum, everyone is so supportive and friendly. Apart from Worcester Woods Parkrun, my favourite run is Thunder Run because of the camaraderie amongst the plum runners and supporters.
Health & Safety – Elaine Shelley
I started running c 2017 after enrolling on a couch to 5k course. I found that running gave me the head space and helped de-stress when going through a difficult patch in my life. After graduating from C25k, I continued running initially at park run and the joined Pershore Plum Plodders.
Joining the club means that I can structure running and keeping fit, in particular on those dark nights when running in company really helps! Plod nights can be a social chat – running and talking for an hour over a range of subjects and good friendships have been formed.
My preference is trail running and have completed a few trail marathons, one ultra, in addition to a number of half marathons. I have recently taken up Cani Cross which means I can run trails with my dogs.
Webmaster & Race Director – Steve Molland
I’d not really run since cross country at school until I went to Park Run in May 2014. With almost 200 Park Runs completed, it’s flown by. I’m also lucky to have been able to run in a few other countries with the 1st Rome Park Run in 2018 and a number of other 5k’s in Chicago, Tokyo and New York. In September 2024, I completed my first marathon in Berlin. I trained for 6months and I absolutely loved it, as it was such a well supported event. #UTP
Race League, Challenge Events & Volunteer Coordinator – Steve Nicoll
Having been allowed to travel with a bunch of Runners in 2018 to complete Bushy Park parkrun, I had such an amazing time, I felt joining this club was the right thing. I run most days, and as I work as a Data Analyst and in Communications, it was natural that I should help with collating information, and coordinating the Race League, the parkrun tourism, and various challenge events. Seeing the Club raise money each year in the Plod into Xmas event, is inspirational, and I am proud to be part of a group of likeminded people who always put the club and community in their thoughts when running. Since becoming a Plum Plodder, I have earned over 50 pieces of bling, whilst wearing the purple top, mainly supporting the local events in the region. Flying the Purple flag gives me immense pride, and I will always recommend this club if asked.