Dear Harriers,
I make no apologies if you find this email somewhat blunt and uncompromising. But please read it all.
At our recent Half Marathon Sub-Committee meeting Ed Steele, our Volunteer Coordinator, reported that only 60 odd members of the Tunbridge Wells Harriers had volunteered to help out with our forthcoming Half Marathon on the 23rd February. This is out of a membership of around 260.
It is just over five weeks to the event, which we as runners, put on for runners, and it is special in being one of, if not the largest, club run event in the country, And we are proud of this fact, but if you don’t step up and support in much greater numbers, we are in real danger of not successfully organising what many participants say is the highlight of their running year,
It is an unwritten rule within the Harriers constitution(or at least i think it is unwritten!), that joining the Club, not only entitles you to the many benefits on offer, which are too numerous to mention, but also carries with it an obligation to support our major club events, the Eridge 10, and in this case the Tunbridge Wells Half Marathon which is due to take place on the 23rd February.
As you know, even if you are running, or personally not present in Tunbridge Wells that weekend, this does not excuse you from your obligation. It’s your obligation to either step up yourself, or nominate a relative or friend to volunteer on your behalf. I know Ed’s role in our race preparations is a challenging one, and I am concerned to see the permanent frown that has now set in on his face, as he encourages, supports, entreats and cajoles you all to volunteer and sign up on the dotted line.
Please take this email and its intent positively and seriously and respond NOW, so we can ease Ed’s anxieties and bring back a smile to that beautiful countenance and restore his sunny disposition! Please don’t hesitate to respond directly to him immediately or by the end of the coming weekend at the latest, so he doesn’t have to resort to pleading, begging or worse!
If you don’t want to see or hear from an increasingly exasperated Ed over the next few weeks DON’T, DELAY, SIGN UP TODAY AND MAKE ED’S DAY!
Ed is only one click away and eagerly awaiting your contact at
On another related Half Marathon matter, only nine Harriers have signed up to have a Flying Fish estate agent board outside their properties between the 23rd January and the 23rd February. That means there are still 21 boards available, which serve to advertise the race around the town. As I ‘ve already said, you don’t need to be on the race route, and if you live in Southborough that’s great too, but we are not making the most of this free advertising of our event right now, which helps to bring awareness of the event to the communities in which we live. So, again, please consider supporting the club in this way too, and if you can, email bradley@
If you have got to the end of this email, I trust you will appreciate the spirit and intent in which it is written, and respond positively accordingly.
With very best wishes,
Michael Youlton
Race Director