About Worthing Striders

Worthing Striders was established in 1996 by thirty running friends who wanted to form their own running club with the type of running they enjoyed in mind. The initial idea was to start a club with the minimum of rules and fuss that concentrated on road, off road and cross country running – AND SO – Worthing Striders was born.

Worthing Rugby Football Club is our club headquarters because of its excellent facilities and its close proximity to the South Downs. Our club colours of orange and black were chosen to be easily recognisable at races.

Our original principles still hold firm but we have developed our operating format within the guidelines and principles of England Athletics to ensure we are compliant with new rules and regulations.

Worthing Striders participate in all types of races from fun runs and 5Ks to marathons and ultra-running: our members are diverse in their running needs. We are a mix of experienced runners, runners returning to the sport and beginners. We also have an excellent balance of age groups and a 50:50 ratio of male and female runners.

Throughout the year we attend a number of organised run events and have been known to host a selection of social nights and charity fundraising activities.

We are known as a friendly club!

Remembering Our Honorary President, Dr Ron Hill MBE 1938 – 2021

Ron Hill, during the formation of our club and up until his death, was our Honorary President, as well as being a personal friend to some of the founding Striders. Ron will always be a running inspiration to every Strider new and old – a true legend in orange!

Ron was born 25 September 1938 in Accrington, Lancashire and was the second man ever to break 2hrs 10mins in the marathon. He set world records at four distances and ran in three Olympic Games (Tokyo 1964, Mexico 1968, Munich 1972) and won gold medals at the European Championships and Commonwealth Games.

Ron was the first British runner to win the Boston Marathon in 1970 shattering the course record by three minutes with a time of 2hrs 10min 30sec. He is also the founder of the Ronhill and Hilly clothing companies and is famous for his “running Streak” in which he has not missed a day of running since December 1964.

He was awarded an MBE in 1971 for services to athletics.

Ron’s final marathon was the 100th Boston run in 1986. He completed 115 marathons in all, 112 under 2hrs 50mins, 103 under 2hrs 45mins and 29 under 2hrs 20mins.

More recently Ron achieved his goal of racing in 100 countries before his 70th birthday and to celebrate his 50th year of running at least a mile a day he completed the Heaton Park Parkrun in Manchester. He crossed the line in under 30 minutes – not bad for a gentleman of 76 years.

Ron Hill Worthing Striders
Ron Hill Orange

RON’S RECORD TIMES
Marathon 2hrs 9mins 28sec
20 miles 1hr 36mins 28sec
25K 1hr 15mins 22sec
15 miles 1hr 12mins 48

1268 yards 1 hour 12 miles 
Half 1hr 4mins
20K 58min 39sec
10 miles 46mins 44sec
10K 28min 39sec

AND some facts you may not know:

  • Has recorded a run distance of over 160,000 miles
  • Introduced synthetic fibres to running clothing
  • Innovated the ‘wrap over split’ running short
  • Designed the first union jack running shorts

Our Charities

Heads On Worthing Striders

Meet the Committee

Our volunteer committee consists of up to 10 elected members of the club, elections are held once a year at our annual AGM. Key posts are Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary and Treasurer.

The committee’s function is to ensure Worthing Striders Run Club operates in safely, fairly and to England Athletics standards. They are the voice of our members.

Rob Graham

Rob Graham

CHAIRMAN

Mike Osmon

Mike Osmon

VICE CHAIRMAN

Lesley Card

Lesley Card

SECRETARY

Dan Barnett

Dan Barnett

TREASURER

Anita Watkins

Anita Watkins

COMMITTEE MEMBER

Siân Osmon

Siân Osmon

COMMITTEE MEMBER

Greg Head

Greg Head

COMMITTEE MEMBER

Ross Holmes

Ross Holmes

COMMITTEE MEMBER

Other committee members: Christina Zafar

Our Sponsors

Worthing Striders Run Club is a group provided by volunteers, we receive no funding or donations to assist with our operations.
 
We are proud to have a number of local businesses and organisations that who help with the running of our club. Without them things would be significantly more difficult!

Worthing Striders at Worthing Rugby Club
Worthing's JeanStore supports Worthing Striders
RT Page supports Worthing Striders
Worthing Striders kit by Broadwater Sports

Thinking of becoming a Strider?

If you are 18+, you can try the club before committing to becoming a member. Come as a guest to any of our regular sessions and see what you think, just let us know.