This week’s Introducing features one of Heanor RC’s longest-serving members and the driving force behind the club’s successes in recent years.

Chairman, coach, team manager and Matthew Walker Christmas Pudding 10k race director, Rob Rainsford reveals his favourite session, the best and worst things about the club and the plan to return to his PB-setting heights of 2009.

HOW DID YOU GET INTO RUNNING? In my secondary school we did cross country in PE class; a lot of the kids hated it but I loved it. I drifted away from the sport in my late teens and early 20s, eventually rediscovering my love of running again in the early eighties when I joined Derwent Runners and later, through my workplace, Rolls Royce Harriers (2nd claim).

WHAT MADE YOU JOIN HEANOR RC? In 1990, we moved to Smalley and my work took me into Hucknall so it seemed the obvious thing to do.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN WITH THE CLUB? I joined Heanor in 1992, so that’s about 22 years. I was sentenced to the Chairman’s role in 1995.

WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST RUNNING ACHIEVEMENT TO DATE? A sustained period of time training without injury! Beating Lee on Markeaton Park in a North Mids XC many moons ago.. Completing 4 London Marathons.. But the top one has to be being the team manager for the HRC men’s 6 Stage team last year when we very nearly got amongst the medals at the Midlands! One day…

FAVOURITE SESSION? 300s & 600s or any interval session really. & when I’m fit… Hill reps!

INDUSTRIAL ESTATE OR SHIPLEY PARK? They both have their place in the sessions but I will go against the grain and plump for the Industrial Estate.

BEST THING ABOUT THE CLUB? The spirit and camaraderie is unique; there are no no prima donnas. The support given by everybody to everyone in races and training is second-to-none. Everyone just gets on with it, which is evident in the success of our flagship event the Matthew Walker 10k.

WORST THING ABOUT HEANOR RC? The unjust and false persona that we just look after the faster runners. I think we are victims of our own success at times.

BEST FRIEND IN THE CLUB? If pressed, I would say Lee Perkins. When I joined the club I think Lee was about 15 years old and I have seen him move through the age categories from junior to vet!

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE RACE YOU’VE COMPETED IN? That’s a toughie… Top one for me has got to be the Prague Half Marathon, closely followed by the Leeds Abbey Dash and London Marathon.

WHY DO YOU RUN? I don’t really know why nowadays – but I still like to think I could get back into a race at some point in the not too distant future. Watch this space!

FUTURE TARGETS? Personally: To avoid any more injuries! It’s been a nightmare for me between 2010-2013. My aim is to get back to my purple patch of 2009/10, which was the last time I hit any decent times (37.20 at Leeds Abbey Dash and 1:26 at the Worksop Half Marathon).

From a coaching point of view: To carry on with the coaching and hopefully see everyone improve even more, especially the youngsters that we have. Also, to see the senior men and women strike medals in the regional relays!