Club legend, Peter Leach, has recently decided to hang up his coaching whistle after 37 years service and we are forever indebted to him. Indeed, if it wasn’t for Peter, his brother and two friends, the club may not even exist. It was those four, who at the time were running for Leicester Corinthians AC, that recognised the need for a local club and in September 1984, Harborough Athletic Club was born. Peter’s membership number is No 3.
Peter passed on his knowledge and experience to other athletes from the outset, gaining his first formal coaching qualifications between 1986 and 1987 and finishing as a Level 3 Performance Coach. His own mantra is “to always compete with the best” and he has assisted many others to achieve the same standard. Amongst many others, Peter takes great pride in his contribution to Sean Fenwick’s development, who won many races including the Leicestershire and Rutland Cross Country Championships and the Kettering Charity Cup and was awarded a place on the England team for an international cross country competition.
As an outstanding runner himself, Peter was a member of a team that won a bronze medal at the AAA National Marathon Championships held at Gateshead in 1982. He finished in a time of 2hrs 31mins 18secs which remains his PB (a time many of us can only dream of). He also has two bronze medals from the National 12 Stage Relay Championships with the Leicester team. He went on to win the Duchy Marathon in 1986 wearing a Harborough Athletic Club vest.
Sorry, we forgot to mention. The reason for Peter’s coaching retirement is that he wants to concentrate on his running in his mid 70s… He still feels competitive and has been heard to say: “I might win a pot or two – I won’t find out if I just sit still”. Sincere and heartfelt thanks to Peter from everyone involved in Harborough Athletic Club.
