Athletic club’s junior age win demonstrates clubs love of inclusion and success, podcast hears
The chairman of an athletics club whose junior members won a prestigious national competition by just one-and-a-half points said the margin of victory shows how the efforts of every competitor count.
Rugby & Northampton Athletic Club’s Adrian White was talking to the Running Tales Podcast about the first place finish in the Youth Development League Lower Age Group National Final.
In an episode published on Monday, Mr White told the Northampton-based podcast that every one of the club’s athletes could say they had made a contribution to the win.
The tournament, which took place in September, saw Rugby & Northampton AC beat off the challenge of clubs including Liverpool Harriers, Edinburgh Athletic Club, and Blackheath and Bromley Harriers.
It came after three consecutive second place finishes in previous years.
Mr White told Running Tales, a podcast which celebrates the extraordinary achievements of everyday runners, the win was symptomatic of the club’s desire to achieve both excellence and inclusivity.
He said: "An athlete could have thought, I'm not going to win this, I might as well ease off.
“But that person who didn't ease off and just pressed on, held to second or third, it all counted."
The first line of the club's constitution says it exists to promote recreational and competitive athletics within the community.
And Mr White told Running Tales: “I like the fact it is in that order. Recreational is a great word in itself - it's about the idea of recreating, or making yourself whole and stronger.
"Competitive sport is important, but so is getting off the couch to a 5k or to do your first half-marathon, or lose some weight, get fitter, and get healthier."
"Treat everybody the way you want to be treated. It's an environment where everybody is valued, and when you're valued you flourish."
Running Tales presenter and producer Craig Lewis said Rugby & Northampton AC’s success showed it is possible for running and athletic clubs to champion both elite and everyday runners.
“It was fascinating to hear from Adrian and other club members how they foster an inclusive spirit while aiming to inspire others all their athletes to be the very best they can be,” he said.
“On Running Tales, we often hear how people are put off the sport by overly competitive clubs and schools, or are made to feel they are not good enough, but Adrian offered a blueprint where people can both enjoy the sport and strive for success.”
Running Tales was formed by Craig and his wife Michelle during the Covid pandemic, and tells stories of runners who have achieved incredible things from beating cancer or addiction to running 400 mile long races.
You can find out more about the podcast and accompanying Substack newsletter by visiting www.runningtales.co.uk
The episode with Rugby & Northampton AC can be found on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube including at this link: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/running-tales/id1777040444?i=1000736075353