Committee

Chair - Maurice Raymont

Hi, I’m Maurice. I’ve been part of the Bovey Valley Runners for just over a year and a half, and have been privileged to serve as a committee member since the start of 2020.

My running journey started with the c25k to support my wife.I did several 5k fun runs with the family and was kindly entered into my first 10k at Haldon in March 2019 This was the start of it. I then entered my first half marathon at Torbay in June 2019 and had a marathon booked  this year that was sadly cancelled.

Being part of BVR has helped me improve both physically and mentally and has given me more confidence than I’ve had before

I run Maurice’s Mondays,I  love running with all the pace groups the club has and seeing our members going from strength to strength and being part of their journey.

Vice Chair - John Mellitt

Hi I’m John.
 
I’m proud to be one of the founding members of BVR – I actually ran on our first ever club run night and helped to set up the original committee! This is my second stint and I was really pleased to be asked back! 
 
I’m a slow and steady runner who enjoys the challenge of the distance rather than worrying about my time. I’m not a natural athlete and my view is that if I can do it, so can everyone else. Being part of BVR gave me the confidence to develop from a 5k plodder to a half-marathon plodder and I really enjoy encouraging other people to do the same. 
 
I’m a confirmed road-runner, you can keep your muddy trails, and I firmly believe that hills are for walking up!

Treasurer - Jill Bishop

Hi. I’m Jill, now retired and able to offer some time to the club so I have taken on the role of Treasurer for the Bovey Valley Runners.

My running journey started when I woke up on my 57th birthday and decided I needed a new challenge. Having never run before (and being told at school that I’d never make a runner) this was massive for me.

I was on holiday at the time, I left my husband napping in the afternoon and went for a run/ walk along the seafront (running when someone passed me and walking when no one was looking). When I got home I continued with my run/ walk regime until I could run 2 miles without walking.

A friend advised me to join a ladies social running group which I did in late 2015. I enjoyed running with others so much more. I did my first 10k that year and the following year my first half marathon. My next challenge was to complete a marathon before the age of 60. Having not been successful in the London Marathon ballot I decided to run York Marathon in 2017, this was amazing and I spent 2 weeks after on a “runners high”.

Since then I’ve completed a couple more marathons and 3 ultras over 24 hours. My favourite distance is a half marathon because I’m not a fast runner, I prefer distance over speed.

Since retirement I have completed a few courses in fitness and running leadership mainly for my own self development and interest.

I joined BVR between Covid 19 lockdowns when I moved to Bovey Tracey. I immediately felt welcomed by run leaders and fellow runners alike. I especially liked the fact that I could run in a group with others of a similar pace to me.

Since joining I have also become a volunteer run leader. I think you could describe me as a running addict.

Membership Secretary - Lisa Raymont

Hello I’m Lisa and I’m the membership secretary.

I started with BVR in the first round of couch to 5k in 2018/2019.

I started for fitness but found so much more in BVR, friendship, support and better mental health.

I’ve been away from running for a while now for various reasons, but I’m pleased to be involved in the club as a committee member and do my bit to help, support and give something back to our lovely club.

Website and Communications - Rob White

Hi, I’m Rob and have been with BVR since Sept 2018.

As a young lad I was never a runner and it wasn’t until I started to take my daughter to the Parke Parkrun that I considered having a go.

I used the Cto5K to start, but didn’t get that far so went straight into the Parkruns in 2015, but after just a few months an achilles injury stopped me running for a year. But since then I have increased both my number and distance of runs.

We are blessed with having some fantastic scenery, on the coast and in the moors, so you will often find me plodding up and down the trails in the sunshine and the rain.

BVR is a brilliant all-inclusive group that so encourages people of all abilities to just get out and run, and have fun.

Run Co-Ordinator - Alice Mann

Hi, I’m Alice, I have been running since 2012, I did my first run and couldn’t walk for a week.
Thankfully, I didn’t listen to my body when it said to not ever do that again and have ran on and off ever since.
 
I have completed one marathon and a few Half’s but the main reason I run is for enjoyment, as long as I get out I don’t mind what pace I go and would always choose running with someone over running on my own.
 
I have always been lucky to find amazing running groups to join, meeting some inspirational people along the way, Bovey Valley Runners is definitely one of the these groups. I am proud to be part of such an inclusive and fun running club.
 
Whether you are a completely new runner in the C25K or running ultra marathons, BVR has a place for everyone and will support you in whatever you want to achieve.

Committee Member - Kirsty Pearce

Hi I’m Kirsty.

I joined BVR back when it began. I had been running a little bit prior to this and could just about run 5k. With the support and encouragement of some of the leaders I moved up to the 10k group (we didn’t have pace groups back then). It nearly killed me! Since then I have completed lots of races including 7 Half Marathons.

BVR has helped me in so many ways. At 53, I am fitter, stronger and lighter than I’ve ever been. I have made so many friends through the club who I run with on club nights but also socially.

I love how inclusive BVR is, supporting runners of all abilities. I wanted to give something back to the club so I became a run leader and now I have joined the committee.

Committee Member - Beccy Kennedy-Bruyneels

Hi, I am Beccy and have newly joined the committee in 2023 as a general committee member. 
 
I joined BVR in 2018 a few months after moving to Bovey Tracey. It helped me settle into the community really quickly as everyone was so friendly and welcoming, I have made many friends. I quite often lead runs on a Wednesday evening for the various different groups, which I think is a great way of meeting and getting to know all of the BVR members.
 
I started running in 2016, it took me a good year to actually enjoy running! Mostly roads to begin with but since joining BVR I have found a love for trail running, I love exploring the area with other BVR members on the many beautiful trails around here. I have only ever run up to half marathon distance, I feel this is enough for me, but we have a wide range of runners in BVR from couch-5k all the way to ultra running.
 
I have found Bovey Valley runners to be an incredibly inclusive club, welcoming all runners of every ability.

Committee Member - Ruth Bushell

I began running in 2015 when, at the age of 50, I’d just completed a degree and was feeling more confident that, although ‘old’, I could still achieve new things in life! I’d enjoyed running at school but when I left to start my nurse training, I never gave running another thought and did no regular exercise for most of my adult life. 

I started running on my own as a way of losing weight but soon found other benefits like meeting new people and the positive effect on my mental health. I found it a fantastic way to reduce stress levels and it definitely helped my anxiety and depression. 

I  joined BVR in 2018, when I moved to Bovey and have found it one of the most positive things in my life. I have made good friends through it, become healthier and fitter and enjoyed mini running adventures and exploring new parts of the county. 

I love trail runs, exploring Dartmoor and social runs and am looking forward to being part of the committee and supporting the work of BVR as I feel it has a really important role to play in this community.