Completely understand your decision Jim, but a big loss to our club all the same! What has always stood out for me is your total commitment in races - your photo gallery shows that! - and willingness to put yourself forward when the club has needed you most. Perhaps most recently exemplified at last year's Fell Relay Championships when the team was one short at the last minute and your participation depended on a late fitness test (jogging gingerly round the rain-lashed quarry?!). Well, you not only passed that fitness test but went on to produce a storming, top quality run! Not sure when Pudsey Pacers last had a runner with a top 10 finish in the English Fell Running Championships but your superb performances in the Buckden, Fairfield, Edale Skyline and Turner Landscape races last year gave you 8th place in age category - again, a huge credit to you and an inspiration for those of us who always feel we could 'do more' on the fells!
And no Jim I've not forgotten your 2 - 0 lead over me in the 3 Peaks Race! Never to forget in the 2007 race you coming past me off Ingleborough and, under the bellowing instructions from Richard Pattinson, your yellow vest sailing off into the far distance...
Baildon is lucky to have you, but club running is a small community really, so see you soon!