The committee

My name is Paul and I am the founder member and chairman to Faversham Running Club. I have lived in Faversham since 1990, I am married to my wife Karen and we have two children, Jack and Lucy.

My running journey first started in the late 80’s but prior to that I have always been actively involved in a variety of sports from field hockey, to swimming and cycling, the latter two being a great platform for competing in duathlons and triathlons.  I have always preferred multi terrain routes, especially trails and cross country events with plenty of undulations, inclines, hills and even the odd mountains whilst holidaying in Austria.

My first marathon was the Seven Sisters in 1992, now known as the Beachy Head Marathon, and today this stands as one of the UK’s most beautiful events in the South Downs National Park. For me, your finishing time is irrelevant, it’s the absolute joy of completing this outstanding event.

Plenty of one liners come to mind:

• “finishing lines not finishing times”
• “The miracle isn’t that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start.”
• “running smiles not running miles”
• “I’m not telling you it’s going to be easy… I’m telling you it’s going to be worth it.”

So, if you can focus on the enjoyment, fun and pleasure of running you will go far.

Faversham Running Club is affiliated to England Athletics, which I secured within the first two months of operating.  This means that we have adopted their policies and procedures for an effective and professionally run club.  Part of the registration with England Athletics was to submit our club colours for approval.  My daughter and I created the unique design for our running tops, capturing elements such as the skyline of Faversham together with its cinque port history and the rich colour palette always makes our runners standout at any race.

The enormity of starting and continuing the growth of the club is not to be underestimated, it takes time and commitment, as does my dedication to running. So, from the years of travelling to events around the country, to long weekends in Jersey to compete in races and from standing in all weather to cheer me on and see me cross the finishing lines to the acknowledgement of how important this club is to me, I have always had and continue to have the much appreciated support from my family.

I am extremely proud to be at the forefront of FRC, representing the club since our first gathering on the 6^th May 2015, to the present day and beyond

I have been lucky to have been involved in FRC from the beginning, the last 3 years as the Secretary – a new skill set for me!

I came to running relatively late in life while working in Germany. I taught in a Service Childrens’ primary school which was near the old East German border and was fortunate to have lived there through, ‘the fall of the Wall’, reunification, the 2006 World Cup and meeting and marrying John!

Germany was where my running took off, many local small towns had 5km and 10km runs. We started with the 5kms, progressed to 10kms, then the Berlin Marathon in 2002. Running events in Berlin are fabulous and I would recommend them to anyone!

I now balance out running with yoga, HIIT and horse riding.

I’m Stephen Brown, 58 years old next birthday and now semi-retired from having worked in education in various guises.

I’ve been a member of Faversham Running since it’s inception in May 2015, and in April 2021 was elected Treasurer to the Club. 

I have various interests, these include enjoying the outdoors; travelling; reading; music; languages; learning in general; good food; wine; cava; prosecco and gin as well as socialising with friends.

Whilst living in South Africa, and approaching 50 years old, I focused on my health and well-being and therefore started to run; cycle and swim. 

On returning to the UK and hearing that there was a Running Club that was about to start in Faversham, this is where my hobby for running changed and my love for living in Faversham changed, too.

Being a member of Faversham Running Club, I have met and socialised with members with all running abilities. Inclusivity is key in the club and therefore, my confidence grew, and this encouraged me to enter my first 10k in Herne Bay 2015, Whitstable Park Run and train for my first marathon in Brighton 2016.  

With the support of Faversham Running Club, I achieved my first marathon at Brighton 2016, however, marathon running for me did not stop here and certainly didn’t stop in the UK. I have participated in marathons in Barcelona; Cologne; Venice; Valencia and Seville.  Gaining a place in the London Marathon will remain a dream until I have been successful in a ballot

The club is a great resource for training; information and guidance and I thoroughly enjoy being outdoors, especially in and around Faversham.

On a personal note, I don’t run with a watch timing myself, and respect those that do, my reason for running is for personal achievement and fitness, only. I run with my iPhone and headphones listening to music. occasional jelly babies, although I have tried energy supplements plain water works for me.

I am known for not being a fan of the cold temperatures here, and therefore, I’m often seen running wearing layers of clothing. My legs rarely get a showing outdoors in the UK before the end of May.

Reflecting back on pre–Faversham Running Club, I am quite certain that I would not have settled back to life here in Faversham without there being a Faversham Running Club. The Club has given me a network of friends; acquaintances and likeminded runners and so many personal achievements whilst sharing successes with other members of the Club.

I have always been a keen sportsman, having played Rugby and Cricket for Faversham; in addition, I played Squash for many years. I discovered running as a sport relatively recently 6 years ago. I used to hate running as a kid unless I was chasing a ball to the boundary or had a rugby ball in my hand. Who knew that I would find the one sport that has changed my life so late in years? Since Joining Faversham Running Club I have run many races over various distances and I just love it. Having recently retired from full-time work I have even more time for running and supporting the running club. Outside of running I am heavily involved in the work of a local church and the Faversham foodbank; I am a counsellor and Mentor and love to see people thrive both in work and sport. I am married to Mary who can often be seen on the finishing line at races with her camera, together we have one daughter Bex.