Photo above, from left to right: Emanuel Paixao, Johnny Butterworth, Keith Vine, Jenny Fuller, Pete Fuller, David Seymour, Jackie Murray, Sheila Pearce, Rowland Stibbard, Chris Mann and John Deacon

The name Dorset Doddlers arose in 1982, when a few runners based in Sturminster Newton, Paul Hart, James Shepard, Brent Jones and John Cowley, ran the 10-mile Salisbury Road Race. The entry form asked for a Club Name, so on Paul’s suggestion they put down Dorset Doddlers.

The name was formalised the following year, when a group of runners including Paul, James and Brent, had just completed the London Marathon and decided to form a club.

The Dorset Doddlers were founded, in 1983 and have been running round in circles ever since. The Club has grown steadily over the years and now has over 150 members, most of whom are based in North Dorset.