The Mike Cloke Memorial Run is taking place on the Thursday, 11th January 2018, leaving from The Keys Centre on Elvetham Heath at 7.15pm. This annual run celebrates the life of Mike Cloke and we will be joined by members from Fleet and Crookham Athletics club. After the run there is the opportunity to get together at The De Havilland Pub, opposite the centre. This is a great opportunity to come together, as a club, to remember Mike and his life. There will be the opportunity to donate to the British Heart Foundation through their collection boxes on the night.
A few words from Ged, one our coaches:
Mike Cloke was a life member of HRR after being a member for many years, serving on the committee in various roles and I believe he was either the first or one of the first qualified England Athletics Coaches at HRR.
He was very enthusiastic about coaching and besides coaching HRR, Mike loved working with juniors where he took a lot of pleasure coaching the juniors at Fleet and Crookham.
At HRR Mike turned out for every handicap and when he didn’t run them he would be the main timekeeper. Following his sad death the club named the monthly handicap after him as a lasting memorial.
Everyone who was coached by Mike has their own fond memories and stories of his words of encouragement – sometime they were not the most motivational comments but the intentions were always positive.
During marathon training from January to April, Mike would often lead a group of runners on their long runs. Generally he would follow a group on his bicycle and take the runners drinks in his back pack. He would cycle ahead and set up a jelly baby stop to ensure runners had enough fuel to get them to the end.
Mike did have some heart issues and was a great supporter on The British Heart Foundation. As such we have some collection boxes at the Memorial Run to any donations for his favoured charity.
Mike was a good friend to all at HRR and F&C AC.
It would be good to see as many runners as possible from the club supporting this event.
