Dave Hughes

I’m Dave I am chairman of Ackworth Road Runners! 

I’ve lived in Ackworth for just over 2 years. I’ve got two teenagers, if only to ensure that I’ve got use for my salary. I spent my childhood in Cornwall and still have family down there. I studied Russian at university. For the past 20 years I’ve worked as a civil servant in Leeds.

I joined ARR in (I think…) May 2012, having already taken part in a couple of 10k races. Back then I recall we were much smaller – well under 100 members and met in the shelter of the trolley park in the Co-op car park. I remember being nervous about joining but Stewart assured me I’d be fine and I was.

The club has always been welcoming and inclusive and from day one I enjoyed the camaraderie and competition; lift sharing with Mick and Sue Knowles and Lee Hopkins and racing against Mick and Martyn Stearn. Some of my earliest club memories are of racing Mick at the Summer Handicap from the Pit Club in Fitzy and Martyn overtaking me on every hill at Wakefield 10k.

I’ve done more races and collected more t-shirts (they were inevitable and unavoidable until a few years ago) than I care to remember over the past 12 years (and power of 10 is down so I can’t count them!). My PBs are all a good 7 years old now (though maybe a cheeky marathon PB would be doable with some effort ).

Here’s a couple of my running highlights – and claims to fame (such as they are):

• Completing the Bob Graham round in just over 23hours in 2021. My attempt was inspired by Simon Bennett’s Round and I felt immensely privileged and humbled to be supported so well, by so many friends from the Club. It was one of the best weekends of my life.
• After 13 years of failed ballot entries… winning the Club ballot for the London Marathon in 2024. Training went well, but a couple of last-minute injuries and some poor race prep’ (cramps) meant I didn’t quite get a PB, but it was a fantastic thing to have done and a great weekend with club mates in London.

“Interesting” running facts about me:

• I’ve never DNF’ed a race. There’s plenty I’ve entered, forgotten and not started, but I’ve never started and not finished! Having written that I suspect this will be the year.
• I have on two separate occasions purchased 3-race bibs for the same race (if you’re interested, Sandall Beat a few years back and this month’s Wakefield 10k!).
• I tend to forget which races I’ve entered and when they are taking place (see points 1 and 2 above).
• I’ve never, ever made the ‘top 3’ of the club GP (or the handicap series). If the handicapper or GP-league setter are reading this, then please take note!
• I’ve made friends for life at the club. Enjoyed (and continue to enjoy) running trips away (fantastic trips to Malta, Valencia and many, many trips to the lakes and the peaks) and days and nights at the pub!

I appreciate I’ve got big shoes to fill (thank you Stewart and Chris!) but I’ll do my best to hold the ship steady! I’m at training most Tuesdays and Thursdays and normally enjoy a pint afterwards. So, if we’ve not met yet- come and say hi!