Jogging Society

The Jogging Society which was also formerly known as the ‘Plodders’ society in the McGarel, was first mentioned in the publication in October 1978. 
The society existed due to the founders of the society having an interest in conducting tours to see the sights of Regents Park every Tuesday and Thursday lunchtimes. Society members would initially meet at the Riding House Street Gym on those days, and then take part in either three planned routes around the park. These planned routes consisted of one, three and five kilometres of jogging. For beginners to jogging, they were advised to jog for the course of 1.2km, which allowed them to eventually jog upto larger distances of 3km and 5.2km, with hopes of being awarded a 50km badge.

In November 1978, the society had fifteen members during this time, some members either ran shorter courses of 1.2 kilometres, middle courses that consisted of running 3 kilometres or long courses of 5 kilometres. Two members on behalf of the society, ran in the inter-colleges cross country race at this time, one member finished in 15th position, whilst the other did not complete the race.

In December 1978, three society members competed in the London Cross Country League in Ruislip, which resulted in Andrew Charman finishing in 12th position, Steve Windsor finished in 124th position and Julian Cleary came in 137th.

In January 1979, members and staff were encouraged to compete in a 5 mile race to promote the society in the London Colleges Cross-Country league in Guildford on Wednesday 24th January. The race that took place on this day, saw the Prince of Kent start the race. In the ladies race, a new addition to the society, Sally Mander finished in 4th position. Whilst in the men’s race, Andy Charman finished in 4th position, Steve Windsor finished 59th position, Julian Cleary finished in 70th position and Amjid Masood finished the course in 72nd position. Later on in February, the society competed in the final race of the league which saw Cleary finish in 108th position, Dave Floyd finished in 106th position, Masood in 99th position, Windsor in 86th position and Charman in 4th position.

On 14th February 1979, members competed in the Seetech Cross Country Championships, which saw the Polytechnic’s Andy Charman finishing in 5th position, Dave Floyd coming in 33rd position, Steve Windsor in 34th position and Julian Cleary in 41st position.