In August 2011 the decision was taken by club members to relocate to our current home at the YMCA. Thornton Cleveleys Football Club had proved to be wonderful hosts, but the running club had grown to such an extent that larger and more appropriate facilities were required. The club were delighted to have found such an accomodating partner in the YMCA, a consequence being that a new handicap route suitable for both summer and winter was being introduced.

To be continued……..

Thornton Cleveleys Running Club was formed in 2009 when two couples - Malc Sherwood and Julie Murphy, Bob Fairclough and Gwen James - decided that they would like to start their own club with the emphasis being placed on fitness and fun. Being no strangers to the local running scene and  running clubs the  four had a wealth of experience in running, organising, participating and coaching at various levels and disciplines - cross country, trail, road and track.

The club as it was, started to quickly attract new members to their headquarters at Thornton Cleveleys Football Club on Bourne Road in Thornton.  A constitution was compiled and the club affiliated itself to the umbrella organisation the Association of Running Clubs (ARC) and the now familiar red and white club kit was introduced.

Sadly a road collision took away our good friend and keen biker Bob before he got to see the club progress and go from strength to strength. It didn’t take long for the club to form it’s own internal Road Club and Trail Championships and introduced a monthly handicap course following a 3.7 mile route around the banks of the River Wyre and through residential Thornton. Club standards were drafted and a committee had now been formed. In February 2010 the website www.run-tcrc.co.uk was launched.

Following the sad but understandable resignation of Gwen  as Chair ,Julie Murphy took over, shortly after that the club celebrated as Julie Murphy then took over Malcolm Sherwood and became Mrs Sherwood! Team events followed on from the organised Championship races and in early 2010 the club took part in the Pennine Bridleway, the harsh weather of that year providing a very wintry backdrop to the race (it didn’t stop a return the following year and plans for the next!)

In 2010 the first ever Fairclough 5 Road Race took place in memory of Bob, who had been an active member of running clubs for many years, it was wonderful to see so many of Bob’s friends and running mates taking part in what has now become an annual event.

The first Club Training Weekend took place in October 2010 when some 30 members, family and friends took over the Pine Lodge Holiday Centre near Carnforth, legend has it that some running even took place. Later that year during the annual Christmas Part members voted to adopt the “3 Runners” design created by our very own Steve Burgess as the club logo.

Another event, which is sure to become firm favourite with club members, was the clubs debut in the Adidas 24 Hour Thunder Run at Catton Park in South Derbyshire. This saw a team of 8 and 1 solo runner take part in July 2011 at the event and a memorable weekends running was made by the team of 8 and especially for Brian Cumpsty who shone as the solo to complete 13 laps of the 10k Course.