Where do I commence?
I guess 22 August 1980 is a good starting point. Following a, not so well attended, meeting called by Burwood Council on 22 August 1980, for interested runners, just five “enthusiasts” decided to run on the following Tuesday.
Steve Briscoe (Robyn’s husband / Lauren’s father), Kerry Bray and son, Rohan, plus two others (never to be seen again) ran the 1.7k course through Burwood’s historic Appian Way. Within twelve months we had graduated to the ultimate – the 10k Concord Run.
We adopted the name, Woodstock Runners from the Woodstock mansion in Church Street Burwood, built in 1873, as a private home for tobacco merchant, Thomas Penfold and his family. Our logo was influenced by that of the Community Centre’s, which is taken from the town crest of Woodstock in Oxfordshire in the UK and modelled on the Port Jackson Fig tree in the grounds at Burwood.
Throughout the eighties our numbers increased slowly; we introduced sprint sessions (later to be known as TNT); entered teams in Fun Runs; launched out first uniforms; commenced Saturday morning runs (now Bowan Island Coffee Club); and organized the first annual and highly successful Woodstock Runners Community Fun Run, which continued for 19 years and won many awards.
During the nineties, our numbers increased and involvement and success in Fun Runs became the norm. In that time the Club became incorporated and our website was launched.
On the social scale, we celebrated 10 years with a ball, 20 with a Dinner Dance and 30 years with a dinner. Between these significant celebrations, we always recognized the Club’s August birthdays, as well as a Christmas party and Presentation of Awards evening each year, amid many other social occasions.
The first decade of the 21 st century saw many members take active parts in the Sydney Olympics in 2000; with a few fortunate to be chosen to carry the torch; we became affiliated with Athletics NSW; our constitution was formerly accepted; we resumed TNT after a demise of a few years; and Brendan Davies and Tim Cochrane were chosen in the Australian team which was placed 2 nd in the Commonwealth 100kms Championship in the UK. As the weather cooled in 2010, members were delighted, warm and looking resplendent, decked out in our very first Whoodies, launched for our 30 years. The years 2011 to 2020 have seen a huge increase in membership and enthusiasm.
Many Woodies have become qualified coaches and are rostered to lead various sessions. In 2011 the 5k Time Trial was introduced at TNT, and Monday Night Training (MNT) commenced in 2014, with the 5k TT conducted there as well. Around June of that year, Martin organized City2Surf training on three Sundays over the actual course, with breakfast at Bondi and it has continued each year since.
The annual Cooks River Fun Run became popular with many members competing and numerous successes were evident. Also, enjoyable on the day have been the breakfasts provided by Kazu and Tsukiko, then Kath, Paul and Brendan Whiteway.
September 2015 saw renovations of the Woodstock Community Centre, necessitating the Club seeking a “home” for Tuesday evening runs. Many thanks to Burwood RSL, who offered us their Croydon Park Club. While it may not be as convenient as Burwood, causing a big drop in numbers attending, the staff has been welcoming and have looked after us extremely well.
Exciting trips were undertaken in this decade – many on Joe’s bus, for which we were most grateful. We travelled to Orange, Newcastle, Canberra, Central Coast, South West Rocks, Mudgee, Tasmania, Hamilton Island and Hawaii.
The Handicap and BBQ have continued, though changing format somewhat over the years and from Saturday to now, Sunday. An Australia Day run has been organized annually for more than 30 years; along with Breakfast Runs from John Dawlings’ home and the Cronulla Breakfast Run over 22 years. In our earlier days we had Breakfast Runs from the big city hotels, along with hotels at Manly and Bondi, and sometimes managed a swim and shower there at the hotel prior to breakfast.
Parkrun arrived in Sydney early this decade and members embraced the concept. They became involved not only as runners, but Event Directors and volunteers, as well as being instrumental in the setting up of quite a few.
In recent years we have been grateful for financial grants from Burwood RSL and the Dept. of Sport and Recreation for equipment, coaches and promotion of the Club. Woodies have competed around the world. We have enjoyed much success from out elite through to beginner runners, both achieving lofty goals which they set themselves. Just last year, our ladies won relay bronze in the Open NSW Championships. Members have diversified as well, competing in triathlon, cycling, swimming and orienteering. Even running has branched out to trails and ultramarathons.
Appreciation and thanks over four decades is extended to the many who have served on the Committee; those involved with 19 years of the Fun Run; editors and contributors to the Year Books and The Rundown; Handicap organisers; uniform officers; trip advisors; website personnel; 5k TT volunteers; team captains; coaches; session coordinators; Breakfast Run and BBQ hosts; and social club members. Over our forty years the following have been appointed Life Members of the Club for their massive contributions over many years – Kerry Bray, Chris Siepen, Colin Townsend, Dot Siepmann, John Dawlings, Joe Ayoub, Barry Cole and Martin Amy.
As I reminisce over 40 years, the hundreds of friendships made within in the Club is significant. Love has manifested itself in many marriages, and the arrival of children and grandchildren. While celebrating these wonderful events, we remember the passing of many members over the years. We appreciate their extraordinary contributions, particularly those of Foundation Member, past President and superb athlete, Steve Briscoe, who left us in 2012.
In 2020 Woodstock Runners is in very capable hands with an enthusiastic, competent and active committee, ably looking after 200 passionate, dedicated and keen runners. Here’s to the next 40 years of Woodies.