Chairperson – Graham Foster

Running has been part of my life since my mid teenage years, especially off road and in the hills. I’ve always found that going for a run is a great stress buster as well as the obvious physical health benefits. I’d never been part of a club until I joined Brackla Harriers in 2016.

Since joining, I have loved the friendly social nature of the club, regular group training sessions, local interclub races and the many new friendships that have been made along the way. Taking part in our team entry events is always a highlight.

I had been on the club committee for around a year when our previous club chairperson stepped down and I was supported by other club members to become chair. 

Club Secretary – Mel Hall

My friend persuaded me to do Cardiff Half Marathon in 2011 which I really enjoyed and I have done it every year since (All with little to no training as I hated going out running on my own). That same friend then said to me in 2015 ‘I think we should do a marathon before we are 30’ and for some reason I thought that was a great idea! So we entered Manchester Marathon in April 2016. I knew there was no way I could wing that so I needed to find some people to run with. Enter Brackla Harriers!

Since joining the club, I have found a whole new love for running (Even on my own!) and have entered a whole variety of races that I probably never would have done otherwise. Here is to many more. It’s great to be a part of the Harrier Family.

Treasurer – Stephen Bond

I have always run.   In school I was probably the only one who enjoyed cross country running. In my twenties I ran for the Police in local competitions. During middle life as a self employed person it was easier to take an hour or so, with the dog, and just run in the countryside, to clear my head.

I came to Brackla Harriers about 14 years ago and started to run with the training nights where we do things I would never do on my own and found that I enjoyed the camaraderie of like-minded runners. I have run a couple of London marathons and attained a GFA time aged 68 (the pinnacle of my running) and have enjoyed a number of half marathons in Cardiff and Amsterdam together with other favourites like Richard Burton 10K, Cosmeston Lakes Relay and Club runs.

 I am no longer able to run but remain active with helping with the administration of the Club and maintain the social connection with the runners.

Membership Secretary – Ian Ogilvie

I have been running with Brackla Harriers for a number of years now, and currently help by organizing our training schedule and club championship race programs. I find running with the Harriers adds a friendly social aspect to running, and I have made some great friends through the club and taken part in a variety of races and events both locally and abroad. Training with the club helps to keep me committed and put my trainers on, when its a cold, dark, rainy evening when I might otherwise decide to stay at home! I enjoy trail and hill running the most and find it a great way to get exercise and spend time in the countryside at the same time.

Training & Race Organizer – Adrian Lewis

It all began as an elaborate ploy to escape cricket. Back in school, cross-country wasn’t my passion—it was my ticket out of ducking bouncers on the pitch. Little did I know then, this reluctant start would sow the seeds of something much bigger.

Fast forward to adulthood, and running took a back seat for a while. But then Covid happened—a time when cycling seemed too long, too slow, and frankly, too much faff. Enter running: the efficient, exhilarating antidote to lockdown monotony.

I soon realised that the joy of running wasn’t just in the solo sprints or long, meditative miles—it was in the community. That’s why I joined Brackla Harriers. With regular events and competitions, the club brought the spirit of camaraderie and challenge that kept my feet firmly planted on the tarmac (and occasionally in the mud).

Running doesn’t just fuel my competitive side; it’s become a deeper passion. I’ve even taken on organising responsibilities at the Harriers, setting out training schedules and compiling event lists for club competitions. It’s not just about ticking boxes—there’s something immensely rewarding about helping others chase their goals while refining my own.

As for the terrain, give me trails and cross-country any day. I thrive in the extremes: short, sharp bursts like 5k and 10k races when I want speed, or the wild adventure of ultra-marathons when I want to push my limits over long distances. Each run feels like either an untamed dash or an epic odyssey—and that’s exactly why I love it.

If my journey—from cricket escape artist to cross-country enthusiast, trail runner, and ultra-marathon adventurer—proves anything, it’s that running has room for everyone. So lace up your shoes, pick your pace, and join the adventure. Who knows where your journey might take you?

Female Welfare Officer – Elaine Wharmby

I started running regularly about 12 years ago and joined Brackla Harriers in January 2020 following a move to the area, tempted by the club’s social side as much as their running.  I love all events from road to cross country.  I have run 17 marathons including some GFA’s in London, and would like to run more marathons, legs permitting.  I have a slightly misplaced ambition of trying to get into the marathon 100 club, but at my current rate of progress I won’t make it until I’m at least 80 years of age!

Male Welfare Officer – Dave Curran

Membership Representative – Elle Goodridge

I joined Brackla Harriers at the start of 2018 having obtained a London marathon charity place for that year (very ambitious at the time) and recently moved to Bridgend (all the way from Cwmafan!).

Since joining the club my running has improved considerably and I have met some of the best people. There are lots of opportunities to compete, take part in more relaxed ‘fun’ runs and, more importantly, to socialise (whether that be with a coffee and cake after parkrun, Thursday chip night or pub crawls).

My favourite things about the club are: the friendly welcoming nature, the commitment of the members, the international races and the Pudding Run!

Membership Representative – Rhiannon Henry

I started running with Brackla Harriers in October 2019 after returning to live in Bridgend after quite a few years away. After finishing a competitive sporting career in swimming, I felt a social running club would be the perfect fit for me. There are lots of opportunities to compete and socialise with a coffee and a cake (the most important bit!) 

 After recently having my first baby in March 2022, my attendance at club is somewhat sporadic at the moment! My favourite event of the year is the Pudding Race. I love the team work on the lead up and on the big day. Seeing all the Harriers pull together to put on an incredible race is amazing. Chips nights and a bacon roll with a coffee after park run are a couple of my favourite club activities. We sound like a healthy bunch don’t we?!

Howard Jones – Brackla Harriers Christmas Pudding Race Director

I joined Brackla Harriers in 1998 to provide some structure to my running as I trained for the Great North Run and the New York Marathon.

Not only has being part of the club helped my running, its also introduced me to some wonderful like-minded people who’ve become close friends.

In the last twenty years, I’ve participated in races across the UK and Europe, including in Spain, Italy and Bratislava. 

As well as taking on responsibility for our organising the club’s iconic Christmas Pudding Race, I co-ordinate the annual international race. In 2024 we’re heading for Burgundy in France.