GMFRS Athletics - GMFRS Running Club
Athletics Section change of Name to GMFRS Running Club
Background
The Athletic Section has been an integral part of Sports and Welfare section since its Formation under Greater Manchester County Fire Service in 1974.
The Section took part in Races throughout the UK under the Fire Service Sports Athletic Association and then under the renamed Firesport Uk.
Between 1974 and 2020 the section has been active in the National League. There has not been an active league since then.
In between those years the team has participated in Road Races, Cross Country; Fell Races; Marathons; Half Marathons; Track and Field.
The Team has been responsible for organising Races within Greater Manchester Boundaries. The Bolton 6 from Bolton Fire station was organised first by Bolton Brigade and then by the Team after 1974. After 35 years it was moved to Heywood Fire Station due to costs and Safety on the Road circuit.
The Team has 5 times been the National League Fire Service Champions; Inter Service Cross Country Champions. National Track and Field Champions; Marathon Team Champions; Half Marathon Champions and Many Individual Champions upto and Including National Fire Service Individual Champion.
There is now only one Fire Service Race left from the League.
This is the Dick Wedlock 5 at Strathclyde on the Sunday 4th May at 11am. (Entries open)
Al other races were retired as the Organisers retired with no one to take over.
Where are we Now
The Organisers of the Team are all Retired as many of the sections in the Sports and Social Association are.
So this is why we are now renaming the Section under The Running Club Name and looking for a Chair, Treasurer and Event Co-Ordinator. These Should be Members of The Sports and Welfare Association.
The Club will promote all types of Running and therefore will be the only section that receives a budget from Sports and Welfare for Events involving Running.
Road Races, Cross Country, Fell, Track and Field, Marathon, Half Marathon, Retired Running Team, Park Runs, Community Runs.
To Be a member of the Team you will have to be a Member of Sports and Social Association.
You will also be registered from April with England Athletics which comes with extra benefits especially insurance whilst running in events.
It is noted that Members of The Association already take part in Many races Park Runs etc for local Clubs or for your-self.
In every area of Greater Manchester there is a 5k Park Run or A Community Run. Free to enter and Many serving Members and Retired Members are running on Saturday or Sunday to keep fit. From April 5th 2025, I will be compiling a list of runners/joggers/walkers who enter these events. It will run April to April.
All You need to do is Register your name with Park Run. Park Run timing Card £5
Register with Burrs Community Run. Timing Card £5.50.
Inform me of Your Name and Run Number by email.
After a run let me know, which Park Run so I can confirm time.
I will collate each time into a table.
It can be 1 run a month, 4 runs a month there is no target but there will be spot prizes in the year.
Minimum 12 runs in the year April to April.
To join in jeffgreen@hotmail.co.uk
Fire Service Races
If as anticipated other Races are organised by Firesport then all participants on the data base will be invited.
Running Vests will be given to any Runner that participates in the Park Runs/Events etc after Completing 8 races.
I hope many of you will take time to join the Team.
Jeff Green
Chair
GMFRS Running Team