User:Blackwater26/Blackwater Valley Runners

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Blackwater Valley Runners Running and Jogging club in Aldershot, Hampshire

What do blackwater valley runners do ?

We would like to be described as a social running club, we have 80 members, made up of 45 male runners and 35 female runners, of many different standards of running, Club night is always Wednesday at 6.45 pm for a quick chat, warm up, as pictured below, then we run at 7pm for as little as 4 miles or for the more serious runners up to 10 miles. then runners retire to the bar for refreshment, beer is good for build up the carbohydrates. Sunday morning runs are always a little more relaxed, we go to local beauty spots, of which anybody is welcome, but we are known to go for slightly longer slower runs. Blackwater valley runners belong to the MABAC cross country league, and members run ultra marathons, marathons, half marathons, 10k, 5k and some Blackwater Valley Runners just enjoy a nice run or jog in the countryside of Surrey or Hampshire. New members very welcome, Just turn up at 6.45pm Wednesday night at the Cricket club (near Aldershot lido) Who Are Blackwater Valley Runners? Blackwater Valley Runners were originally formed in 1984 under the name "Air Log Joggers", by the sports & social club of a company called "Air Log" in Aldershot, Hampshire, England. In 1997 the name was changed to "Blackwater Valley Runners". The club logo is adapted from the logo as seen on the bridges along the Blackwater Valley A331 relief road. Currently there are around 80 members, who mainly run socially, like to come down the club for a run then a drink and other members who enter all kinds of running events both on and off the road. The road events include 10K, half-marathon, and full marathon distances. In the Summer, off-road runs from the club are popular. We go out in several groups depending on ability and who you want to talk to on the way round.

Once a year there is an overseas marathon trip organised, to a new place each year. The club organises a coach to the London marathon each year for runners and supporters from all clubs in the local area. It also has a long history of marshalling in the marathon finish area, We also have social events like rounders, quiz nights, dinner dance evenings or just a quick drink and watch the footy after you have run on club nights.

Members of Blackwater Valley Runners are also involved in walking trips, taking them to the Black Mountains in Wales for a gruelling 26 miles hike, and to the Lake District for long week-ends.

 Mabac

The MABAC Running League are probably the pioneers of road running in Britain, founded in the 1970’s (several years before Chris Brasher and John Disley started the London Marathon). The prime mover was Alan Blatchford who died in 1982. He organised a running group at the British Aircraft Corporation in Weybridge (now British Aerospace). Ralph Henley brought in runners from Matthew Arnold School, Ashstead. Hence MA-BAC. Alan Blatchford was also a founder of the Long Distance Walkers Association, and Blackwater Valley Runners have been affiliated to this organisation for many years. Several members of the club run or walk LDWA events which are typically 20 or 30 miles off-road. Many members participate in the monthly "MABAC" cross country league events which are in the surrounding Surrey countryside which are free and typically around 5 miles long as well as the senoir races there are also joggers and junior events of about 2.5 miles. Points are achieved for positions and are added after each race. Blackwater Valley's home run is at Puttenham Common on a Sunday at the start of November at 11.00 am.

Clubs in the MABAC league include 1
BVR - Blackwater Valley Runners	CR - Cranleigh Runners	DMV - Dorking Mole Valley Runners	EO - Epsom Oddballs and Epsom Allsorts	FP - Feltham Puffers	GFG - Godalming Fitness Group	LDWA - Long Distance Walkers Assocation	MAGIC - Matthew Arnold Gym Instruction Club	PP - Pyrford Puffers	RH - Ranelagh Harriers	RR - Runnymede Runners	WW - Wimbledon Windmilersrow 1, cell 1

we are also affiliated members of ARC