Suzanne Budgett

My preferred running has to be on the fells and cross country. I just thrive on all that mud and rough stuff! I'm lucky living right on the moors, my biggest decision being whether to run on Darwen Moors or West Pennine Moors, either of which is within immediate access from my house. This really makes my training more pleasurable for me. Although I originally joined a predominantly road running club, an introduction some years ago now, to my fellow friends at Horwich, soon changed my preference to running on the fells.

Although I don't particularly have one favourite race, I do very much enjoy taking part in relays and seeing the camaraderie between fellow runners and clubs.

As for achievements... Well, any race I complete is an achievement, and if I manage to gain a decent finishing position, that's a bonus.

Two of my most memorable occasions spring to mind immediately. One was in 1999, being adorned with a silver medal by the infamous Ron Hill at the end of the Tour of Tameside. The second was standing on the starting line of the World Masters in Austria in 2002 sporting an England vest and feeling a weird wave of mixed emotions come over me. I couldn't quite believe that it was me stood there wearing an England vest!