Name:  Donna Daly

Age (Group): Senior Ladies

Event (s) or Position in the Club:  800 – 10k (Road, X-Country and Track)

How long have you been a member of the Club (Why did you join?):  I first joined Riddings Athletic Club when I was 11 years old after winning the District Junior Schools X Country Championship. Riddings then amalgamated with the three other clubs in our area to become Scunthorpe & District AC. I had a year out in 2005 to concentrate on University but have been back training ever since!

What do you enjoy the most/least about training?:  I love racing well and feeling like I have achieved something. I hate under achieving and not getting the results I want!!

Which athlete (or official) that you have trained with works the hardest in training?: Most athletes at the club work and train hard. The official/organisers probably deserve the most credit though as they don’t do it to achieve results etc but to support the club!  

What is the best result you have achieved?:  Winning the UK Inter-Counties which is also the world Trials in 2000 is by far my greatest achievement! Unfortunately that year they didn’t select a GB team from Under 17 so I never got recognised for it! The following year they did! Gutted!!!!

What event has been the most enjoyable?:  The race above was the best feeling in the world! I do however love the relays. Athletics is very individual and it’s nice to get away from that and feel part of a team especially when the team is so successful!

What is your ambition for yourself (or for the Club?): To have a full season injury and illness free and know that I have performed to my potential!

In terms of the club I would love for them to get recognised as a strong athletics club and for the athletes to gain the respect they deserve!

If you were to be given one wish, that you could use to improve Quibell Park (equipment or facilities) what would you wish for?:  The usual a pool, indoor track, gym facilities etc.

What other sports/interests do you take part in?:  I don’t have time to play or participate in any other sports activities but I teach PE so get to be involved through work in all areas of sport and I love it!!!!

Who are your sporting heroes/inspirators?:  Kelly Holmes, Paula Radcliffe,Seb Coe, Steve Ovett, Steve Cram all distance legends!!!

Name:  Steve Heslop

Age (Group): Vet 45

Event (s) or Position in the Club:  Road section statistician. I run on road. Cross country, track and fell.

How long have you been a member of the Club (Why did you join?):  Joined in 2000 having signed up to do Scunthorpe ½ marathon and being introduced to the club via a training group that was started for it.

What do you enjoy the most/least about training?:  Quite like Hill Training and training in a group. Least like running in the heat of summer and training alone.

Which athlete (or official) that you have trained with works the hardest in training?: Rod Burton, anybody who runs 18 miles waiting for a XC race to start because he needs to keep his marathon training on track is awesome. 

What is the best result you have achieved?:  2002 won both club 2-mile races, well on handicap.

What event has been the most enjoyable?:  Beating Stu Frow at last years XC (blame Carl Taylor) and my second ever Steeplechase at Grantham where despite stopping for a bath at the second to last water jump I still improved my PB, I think some of the spectators enjoyed that too.

What is your ambition for yourself (or for the Club?): To keep improving my times. Staying in front of Carl. Running a Sub 4 Hr marathon.

For the club to become the best it can and keep helping and encouraging athletes of all abilities.

If you were to be given one wish, that you could use to improve Quibell Park (equipment or facilities) what would you wish for?:  A new stand with super facilities underneath it.

What other sports/interests do you take part in?:  Watercolour & pastel painting, gardening, model making.

Who are your sporting heroes/inspirators?:  Alan Ball, the footballer, and David Bedford and Brendan Foster from when I was a lad.

Name:  Matthew Shaw

Age (Group): Senior / Uder 23

Event (s) or Position in the Club:  400m / 400mh

How long have you been a member of the Club (Why did you join?):  I remember smashing triple jump at school and then the Scunthorpe schools meetings when I was in year 7 and 8 and wanted to come down to Quibell to see what it was all about. However I was far too committed to cricket at the time. Finally I joined as a 14 year old and I don’t think I’ve triple jumped once at Quibell!! Stuart Frow got me hurdling!!

What do you enjoy the most/least about training?:  I enjoy the banter, but mainly just pushing myself as hard as possible. If I wake up in the morning in agony, I’m pleased. But yeah, got to have a good set of people around you in especially in the winter. In terms of least enjoyment, I absolutely DETEST the amount of injuries I’ve had since university – two seasons wasted.

Which athlete (or official) that you have trained with works the hardest in training?: All the guys I train with at Don Valley in Sheffield are absolute animals who smash the lactic and the aerobic stuff constantly. In terms of Scunthorpe Sam O’ Neill is an animal! Got to mention all the coaches like Stuart, Walter, Eric & Co. They have been turning up for years putting plenty of time into nurturing some seriously good athletes...for FREE!! 

What is the best result you have achieved?:  I feel as though I am miles from achieving anywhere near what I can, I just need to get through my injuries. But I would say coming 5^th in my heat at the national champs in 110mh when I was 18 or coming 4^th in the BUSA indoor final. BUSA medal 2009!!!!

What event has been the most enjoyable?:  Probably running steeplechase for a laugh (or early winter training). I have a good time getting smashed by all the skinny distance runners in the XC as well.

What is your ambition for yourself (or for the Club?): I aspire to be a strength and conditioning specialist (better than a personal trainer) within track and field. I also intend to pursue writing in some manner of my career. In terms of the club, I would like to eventually coach my own 400m group but I think I may have moved away from here once I’ve graduated. I also want to see these 4,000 toddlers (u11’s) turning into new Kevin Sempers, David Hughes, In shape Richard Dowses and Matt Waldens!!! Also I’m going to SMASH that 400mh record by at least 3 seconds.

If you were to be given one wish, that you could use to improve Quibell Park (equipment or facilities) what would you wish for?:  Move Quibell to a new area before you start to think about investing money into the place. The facility needs sustained security and a permanent absence of vandalism. Until then no cash should be injected into additional facilties.

What other sports/interests do you take part in?:  I’ve always taken up football and might do so in my final year at university, but I’m not one of the typical ‘lads’ and team sports aren’t my thing anymore. I am interested in Olympic weightlifting, Rugby and Strongman events.

Who are your sporting heroes/inspirators?:  Got to be Colin Jackson, what a guy! Read his books, watch his programmes but please do not diet like he did!! Jonathan Edward is my other hero. Both of these guys are exactly who the younger society need to be inspired by; two moral crusaders who make headlines for the right reasons that genuinely deserve article space. They promote an excellent way to lead your life and how to avoid being on Jeremy Kyle! But you can’t forget those mortal, everyday heroes!!