About WSFRL
WSFRL How it started
The idea of the League was that of David Bridges who at the time was recreation officer for Horsham District Council and also that there was a need for a similar league in Sussex for joggers and fun runners without the serious intensity of road and cross-country racing under AAA’s rules.
David Bridges called a meeting at his home, via the local press and “Jogging Magazine” (now “Running Magazine”) which took place on 22nd October 1982. Such was the interest that it was standing room only. Representatives at that original meeting were:
League Representative | David Bridges |
Sponsor’s Representative | Oliver Sellars (Infopress Ltd) |
Arunners | Norman Crook (formerly Littlehampton Glasshouse Crops Research Institute) |
Horsham Joggers | Carol Clift & John Otway |
Portslade Hedgehoppers | Norman Collingbourne |
Worthing & District Harriers | Peter Long |
Appleyard Amblers | John Taylor & Mike Simmons |
Barns Green | Keith Hotchkiss |
Crawley Joggers | Jack Shelton |
Distillers CO2 Runners | Martin Jones |
Lodsworth Village | Margaret King |
A race calendar for 1983 was agreed and ProNutro, a breakfast cereal company, agreed to act as initial sponsors until June 1983. The Barns Green half-marathon arose out of this meeting and, although no longer part of the League’s race calendar, continues successfully today. The first race calendar was as follows:
January | Worthing 2 miles |
February | Horsham Joggers Valentine 3 miles |
March | Worthing Harriers Cissbury Ring 2¾ miles |
April | Tortington 10 km |
May | Portslade Hedgehoppers 5½ miles |
June | Distillers C02, Reigate 5 miles |
August | Arundel 7 miles |
September | Washington Village, Chanctonbury Ring 4 miles |
October | Barns Green ½ Marathon |
November | Appleyard Amblers. Warninglid |
December | Lodsworth Village |
Interested parties not at the meeting but subsequently involved in the League’s creation were:
Arena 80 AC | Ron Grover |
Holmwood Hounds | John & Pam Chiverton |
A scoring system reflecting participation, as well as winning, the award of spot prizes and the key principle that events should be cheap to enter (£1 per runner), with the net proceeds ideally being donated to charity, were all agreed. The League’s constitution and method of scoring are detailed later.
From Past To Present
Since that initial meeting a number of changes to the scoring system have been made, the last fundamental change being made in 1989, but the general ethos of the League has remained, namely to encourage jogging for those of all ages and abilities. Today 17 clubs comprise the League as follows:
Club | Vest Colours, current clubs only |
---|---|
Appleyards Amblers | |
Arunners (formerly LittlehamptonGlasshouse Crops Research Inst.) | Purple & White |
Barns Green | |
Crawley Joggers | |
Crawley Run Crew | Black, white lettering & red stripes |
Distillers C02 Runners | |
Horsham Joggers | White, Maroon & Grey |
Lodsworth Village | |
Arena 80 AC | |
Holmwood Hounds | |
Portslade Hedgehoppers | White, Orange & Blue |
Worthing & District Harriers | Green, with red/white diagonal stripe |
Biwater Shellabear | |
Cranleigh Runners | |
Surrey Stragglers | |
Trumpton Trotters | |
Brighton Hash House Harriers | |
Saints & Sinners | Yellow & Black |
Chichester Runners | Green and White |
Fittleworth Flyers | Gold & Emerald |
Lewes AC | Red & Gold |
Southwick Strollers | |
Lancing Eagles | Blue & Yellow |
Henfield Joggers | Green & Black |
Hove Hornets | Orange & Black |
Steyning AC | White with 2 black diagonal stripes |
Goring Road Runners | Black with fluro yellow under arms |
Haywards Heath Harriers | Maroon & White |
Shoreham College Shufflers | |
Burgess Hill Runners | Light & Dark Blue Quarters |
Worthing Striders | Orange & Black |
Separate events for juniors are now organised by many clubs and an advice sheet for juniors and their parents is available.
Public liability insurance up to £10 million is paid by the League covering all events included in the League’s race calendar.
To celebrate the League’s 10th Anniversary a relay event was held in 1993 in the grounds of Christ’s Hospital School with individual trophies presented to all participants. This relay was subsequently held in Hove Park until 1997, with the proceeds being used to finance the League’s expenses. The relay was held again in 2003 and 2004 organised by Portslade Hedgehoppers. A team trophy was donated by Arena 80.
How To Join
Clubs wishing to join the League should contact the League’s co-ordinator and should show a commitment to the League by entering League events in the year prior to formal application at the League’s AGM in November. A five minute presentation to League clubs at the AGM should be made giving details of the club, members etc after which each club in the League will vote on the application as set down in the constitution.