1. Please briefly introduce yourself?
James McNish-Porter, runner and committee member.
I joined the Club for the 2005 beginners course run by Tony McDonald-Liggins and was hooked from then on.
I started running with groups from H I think (as it then was) with Barbara Crowley to start with and over the years with every other group (thank you Sue White, Roger Clark, Robin Gale, Steve Rich, Paul Price, Peter Tree, Keith Thornton, Chris Jones and all the other group leaders over the years) up to B with Phil Olson before lockdown.
On the racing side the Essex Way (every leg over the years), South Essex cross countries (as many as I can get every season) , Benfleet 15 (5 times) and the Grizzly (6) are probably my favourites, plus of course the Brentwood Half (10 or so). I have helped on the Club committee since 2015.
2. What events, if any do you have booked?
I sadly have no events booked, not even deferred events, having left the diary blank after last year's Grizzly.
I would love to think there might be an Essex Way leg to run or a cross country season in the autumn.
3. What does running mean to you?
The fresh air, challenge, being a bit fitter and sometimes even a bit of adventure, obviously, but also teamwork and so much encouragement from other runners.
4. What is your best BRC memory?
There are so many. Getting the hang of covering the distance in the first place, especially the first time running eyeballs-out on the beginners course (a whole 75 metres up Riseway), and post- cross-country tea and cake.
But if pushed I would say all those hundreds of long Sunday runs in good company.
5. Proudest running moment?
When the London Marathon finally went to plan after making a mess of the first time, and getting to the top of the Stairway to Heaven on my first Grizzly stand out.
6. Best bit of running advice you have been given or received?
That's easy: the piece of advice that works for me is "Hold it back!".