Introducing Macclesfield Harrier Owain Morris. As the Club’s Road Running Manager, Owain is keen to increase participation in road races. Owain can be found on the start line of most local races. He actively encourages and supports members to participate in races and to have fun.
Q1. When did you start running?
OM: I started running at university although I didn’t have much of a structure, as I prioritised nights’ out! Near the end of my time at university, I decided to up my distance and started doing a few runs with the university running club. Running with a club, I learnt the importance of keeping my slow runs slow rather than trying to PB every time I put my trainers on. Gaining this perspective and having more structure led to me to really enjoying my running and it’s now been a big part of my life for over a decade!
Q2. How long have you been a Macclesfield Harrier?
OM: I moved to Macclesfield in October 2021 and immediately joined the club. The Thursday evening social runs helped me to get to know people and to find my feet in a new town. I really enjoy these runs and go almost every week! I also get down to track on a Tuesday and to the Monday night Tegg’s Nose runs whenever I can.
Q3. What has been your favourite race and why?
OM: There are so many races that I’ve enjoyed that I’d struggle to pinpoint a definite favourite! One of the first races that I ran was the Conwy Half Marathon. It starts right outside Conwy Castle and then heads towards Llandudno and up the Great Orme, so you’re treated to
fantastic views throughout the race. Provided that you still have something in your legs after the climb, the race has a fantastically fast finish down the Great Orme and along the flat to Conwy Castle. I also really enjoyed the Macclesfield Half Marathon as running along so many other Harriers and the home support from the marshals gave me so much energy. Knowing every inch of the course and the fast downhill finish from Wrigley Lane to the leisure centre certainly helped too.
In terms of PB chasing, it’s hard to beat the summer and festive editions of the Wilmslow 10k. The first 5k is net downhill and there are pacers every 2 and half minutes. It’s impossible not to be carried away with the fast start, and I’ve PB’d 3 of the 4 times I’ve ran it!
Q4. What does running mean to you?
OM: Even though running literally involves moving my legs and getting from one place to another, I find it’s a great opportunity to switch off and stand still. Whether it’s chatting with club mates, thinking through problems, or appreciating beautiful landscapes as I move through them, running bring me to a meditative state. Running is a great way to relax and to stay fit.
Q5. Do you have a top tip for other runners?
OM: Don’t forget to enjoy the journey. PBs and race times feel great, but they can crowd everything else out if you’re not careful. You’ll spend a lot more time running slow, chatty and workout runs than you will participating in races, so you should definitely take the time to enjoy each of these types of runs for what they are!
Q6. Is there anything else you would like to add?
OM: In my role as Road Running Manager, I’m looking at tweaking the fixtures in the Road Running Club Championships for next year. However, I want to make sure that I do this in the interests of everyone at the club. As such, I’m collecting feedback via a Google Form (LINK TO GOOGLE FEEDBACK FORM) which will also be published on the Facebook pages, and Instagram. Please keep an eye out for this and take a few moments to provide your feedback so that next year’s race calendar reflects what club members want. It’d be great to have as many of you as possible participating in next year’s Road Running Club Championships.
To see previous ‘Meet the Member’ articles CLICK HERE