The Dartmouth Boggle and Word Yahtzee Sports Club (amateur)

established just before teatime 1993^©

Ross Pyne

I first started running (as a sport) when I was about 11 and this continued throughout my secondary education. I competed in several Devon Schools Cross County trials but always failed to get past the first trial (I always enjoyed getting completely covered in mud). I do remember finishing in the top three (podium places) at the occasional school sports day and from early on I preferred 1,500m to 100m.

Probably the highlight event of my school years was the Devon Air Training Corps Athletics Competition, where Ed and I competed. It was very much a Coe against Evette struggle with us both racing in the 800m & 1,500m.

After leaving the ATC and school to continue my education the only sport that I regularly competed in was rowing. Although beach running for hours on end was used as part of our training regime. Whilst at University I often thought about entering the Plymouth Half Marathon, but as each year passed something else came up.

Then just before Christmas 2004, having decided I was sick of sitting on a rowing machine looking at the walls of our much loved rowing club, I decided to do a bit of running. A few weeks and a cover to cover read of Runners World later I had been bitten by the running bug once more. So after about 10 years I started training again but with no real goal. It was maybe a few weeks later in early February 2004 whilst out training in the pouring rain with Ed the topic of a Half Marathon was raised and within another week or so we had entered two races. One thing led to another and needless to say I ended up running three half's in the space of six weeks.

From this footing running a Marathon seemed to be the obvious next step and I set my sights on the 2005 Flora London Marathon (FLM). Knowing that the application forms arrive in running shops at the beginning of August 2004 I went into a local shop and took the first step. The application pack explained that the FLM has many more applicants than the roads in London can cope with and that I would hear if I had a place in December. Many months later (well early in December) the dreaded package arrived on my doorstep only to inform me that I had failed to gain a place.

Thankfully the FLM offers rejected entrants a second chance as a large number of places are given to charities. In return for running for a charity and guaranteeing to raise a certain amount of cash you can (as I have) secure a Golden Bond place. My Charity is the BRITISH & INTERNATIONAL SAILORS' SOCIETY and I feel it relates very well with my interest in and career made from the sea.

When incidents and accidents happen at sea the British & International Sailors’ Society (BISS) is a lifeline providing the vital link to the seafarer and his family when practical help, financial assistance, welfare and pastoral care are needed. As an international Christian Society, they operate a world-wide network of centres, chaplains and personnel to assist with the problems and needs of seafarers of every nationality.

I have two goals for this years FLM, the first is to raise £1,000 for BISS and the second is to complete the 26.2 mile course. Please help me with the first goal and if you are able to sponsor me please contact me on the address below. (Just remember that when you wakeup with a hangover on Sunday the 17th of April 2005 you will be able to switch on the TV and say I have sponsored one of those mad fools).

Thank you & Boggle Boggle

Ross Pyne