Chris Rudge Steps Down
Steve Kibble
Greetings KRew
The big news in the KR community this week isn’t the rain, but that my co-Director Chris Rudge has decided to step back from his leadership role in the club. I know this would have been a hard decision for him, as for the last 5 years, the club has been a big part of his life both from the running and the organisation of the many aspects of club life that he has been involved with.
When I took over the leadership of the club at the end of 2016 after founder Dave Holmes stepped away and handed over to me, I put together a committee with a vision to revitalise the club and to do more running than we were doing at the time but keeping it a community based social running club. Chris was one of the first people that I tapped on the shoulder to join me and he quickly stepped up taking on leading the Monday night runs that we introduced at the time.
The next issue we took on was the development of a new logo and new shirt, Chris came up with a bunch of designs that we considered and settled on the now iconic KR red shirt and logo. Chris took on the huge task of dealing with merchandise and I think that we can all agree that we have one of the best shirts of any running club in Sydney. Of course the KR Flags that have come out at many a KR event and race where the KRew have run.
Chris has also been instrumental in increasing our social media presence in the community, revamping the website (yes we do have one), upgrading our Facebook page, and introducing Instagram as another way that we engage with the community at large. I know these all work as many a new member has told me that they found us through one of these mediums as well as seeing the shirts as we run each week over the bridge.
Over the last 5 years Chris has helped and offered informal advice and coaching to many a novice and more experienced runner in our club. The KRew have also seen Chris’s own running journey develop and evolve over that time, as he chased his first sub 3hr marathon, sub 85 min Half and sub 40 min 10k. He now runs all these events in much fast times than this and its been good to see his love of running and how he has shared that with the club.
I know as a club we will miss Chris’s smiling face and his enthusiasm for all things running and I’m sure you all will join me in wishing him well as he directs his almost boundless energy at exciting new projects in the future. (And he is only living in Newtown and so I know that he plans on still coming along to run with the club on our regular runs.)
Stay tuned, as we will have a special night shortly to gather so that the members of the club can thank Chris for everything he has done and wish him well in his future endeavours.
However, KR goes on and I’m pleased to announce that Anthony Wood has stepped up to take on the hosting and leading of the Monday night runs. He will be ably assisted by Brian Gore who will co-host and lead if Anthony is away.
Joy, who has been doing a lot of social media, recently will continue her role growing and nurturing our Instagram presence.
Chris O will continue with his weekly health tips that I know that we all enjoy.
Judy is still taking on our social life and currently organising the St Patrick’s Day Balmoral run.
Matt and Kate Southerton have put there hand up to take on the development and maintenance of the website and I will take on the merchandise role.
If you want to help and volunteer to give back to your club, then please message me I’d love to hear from you.
I look forward to seeing you all tonight for the KRClassic, if you are bringing a bag Joy is back and will have her car there so you can store it whilst you run.
That’s it for this week, remember to take care of yourself and others.
Keep running and happy trails,
Steve
Director
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