Merry Christmas from Rocket Rod!

Firstly, I would like to convey my personal thanks to all who have helped make the Brathay Trust's events so successful, especially the Challenges Team. Thank you to my wife Dorothy and daughter Maria, all marshals and helpers.

There have been record entries for many of the events in spite of the Covid restrictions and lack of training opportunities for the participants. On a personal note, I have had to miss races through illness, injuries and personal commitments. I really must stop falling over (I'm getting more like Only Fools and Horses' Uncle Albert every day!)

As many of you know, running isn't my only passion. The other is football! I've followed Man U for over 80 years, through the good and bad times - mainly good. My proudest achievement was to be a personal friend of the great George Best and to manage the George Best XI Charity Team.

I've previously spent 3 years in the REME Corps, 10 years in Lancashire Fire Brigade and 10 years as a bus drives for the Greater Manchester Corporation. On moving to the Lake District in 1988 to live and work in Ambleside I later joined the Royal British Legion and one of my treasured memories was attending the Great Pilgrimage 90 tour as the wreath layer at the Menin Gates in Belgium. I've recently been appointed President of the Langdale and Ambleside branch of the Legion and finally (for now!) I founded the Great Langdale Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K and other running events in the Langdale Valley.

Most of my achievements would not have been possible without the love and support of my wife Dorothy and family. Enough about me - have yourselves a merry little Christmas and keep on running in the New Year.

All the very best,

Rocket Rod