Welfare Officers – Nigel Hillier and Claire Dennison

We are keen to ensure our club offers support and guidance to all of our members, and as an affiliated club we are following the guidance set out by England Athletics by having a male and female welfare officer.

However regardless of gender members can contact whichever welfare office they are most comfortable with in confidence regarding any issues or concerns.

Contact email - [email protected]

Read more about the role of our welfare officers on the Club welfare page.

Nigel

I joined Barrow Runners in 2003 in my late 40s, admittedly being a bit of a latecomer to running, I had always watched the London Marathon on TV and said, like many people, one day I would love to run that. Well 18 marathons later (4x London ) as well as a few major European capitals, Paris being my very first marathon and one virtual marathon (London 2020), I think I have found my vocation.

It was however the welcoming and friendly nature of the club, running in groups with other runners, on road in the winter, off road in the summer, the races 5k,10k, half marathons, 5,7 and 10 mile races along with the trips abroad, to races with the club, the cross country (mud) and the social side that have made this my running family no 2. Running family no 1 is my wife Ann, daughters Kirsty and Gemma and son in law Lewis who are also runners, triathletes, and an Iron woman.

I was club Secretary for a number of years before moving to my current role as one of the club Welfare Officers and also was a regular pacer of the 7.30-8.00 minute mile Tuesday night run group until I retired (from pacing). Competing against other runners in the Leicestershire Road Running league and the Derby Runner XC leagues are some of the highlights along with all the new friends you meet along the way.

Contact Nigel: [email protected]

Claire

I joined Barrow Runners in 2018 alongside my husband, Keith, for two main reasons. The first was because we had signed up for a 10K run in London - having never ran for that distance before - and we wanted to be fit and ready for it and the second reason was to meet new people and maybe get a bit of a social life going as we didn't know many people from the area. From the first rainy evening run in October, we loved it!

I've really enjoyed meeting a wide range of people and hearing about their amazing and inspiring achievements. Since joining, I have ran various 10Ks, quite a few half marathons and even two full marathons. I've made some great friends, had some good nights out, even weekends away and love being part of this club. I enjoy racing and feeling part of a team and I like the challenge of beating my previous times.

I don't profess to be a professional in my new role, but hope that I can support people if needed or just be a friendly face to chat to.

Contact Claire: [email protected]