Profiles of all the members of the Pete Bland Sports team

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Pete Bland

Pete likes to keep his hands on the company cheque book and still does the accounts 2 to 3 days per week. He is also a regular on the mobile shop which he now sees as hobby rather than work.

Pete was a prominent lakeland fell runner throughout the 1960’s and early 70’s. He won several fell races throughout Cumbria, Lancashire and Yorkshire and in a number of Scottish Highland Games as a professional runner, before transferring to run as an amateur in longer races in 1973.

One of his most notable performances was finishing second with John Richardson in the Elite Class of the 1973 Karrimor Mountain Marathon in North Wales, the class being won by Joss Naylor and Alan Walker. Pete continued running the fells until the early 1990’s when he had to retire due to injury.

ANNE BLAND, GRANDDAUGHTER HOLLY & SPICE

Anne Bland

Although retired from the business Anne often gets roped in to help out on the mobile shop. She is very keen to be involved in some of our forthcoming Breakfast Runs and is responsible for keeping Pete and Matts feet on the ground.

Anne started running in her mid-30’s. As a fell runner her most notable performance was winning the Elite Mixed Team Class, with her husband Pete, in the 1978 Karrimor Mountain Marathon held that year in Peebles. She also became the first woman to complete the Elite class in the Karrimor.

Anne then moved into running road marathons and became very successful, running 13 sub-3 hour marathons, the best being her 2:50 1981 London Marathon. All these marathons were completed when Anne was in her 40’s. She also competed in the World Masters Marathon in San Diego, California in 1984.

MATT BLAND & DAUGHTER HOLLY

Matt Bland

Matt has been responsible for the day to day running of the business for the last 12 years. He controls most facets of the company constantly striving to improve all aspects of the business.

Matt has been a regular recreational runner now for sometime, training between 3 and 4 times per week. His main sport for many years was football, representing his county at U18 level and playing semi pro for a short while before going to university in London. In that time he also ran competitively, clocking 37.16 for 10k and also completing several 10 Mile and 1/2 Marathon races. Matt completed the Hood to Coast Race in America in August 2008 and may be seen competing in a fell or road race very shortly!!

JON BROXAP

Jon Broxap

Jon has been with the company longer than any of us can remember (at least 20 years). Many say he is part of the fixtures and fittings and plays a prominent role in the continued success of the business. Jon has several roles, liasing with race organisers and looking after sponsored athletes are two of his many jobs. He recently took up the role of course planner for the Saunders Mountain Marathon.

For many of his younger years Jon was an International fell runner. He competed head to head most weeks with some of the stars of the sport, Kenny Stuart, John Wild and Billy Bland. He won several International vests and competed abroad on many occasions. For a short time he turned his hand to road running which culminated in a 2.29 in the first ever London Marathon. One year of road running was enough and he swiftly returned to the fells.

RAYMOND HAMS WHERE HE LIKES TO BE, IN THE SNOW

Raymond Hams

Raymond is in charge of stock control and deliveries and has been with us for over 4 years. He is also often on the shop floor particularly at weekends and tends to be the boss on Saturdays in store. Recently he has become more involved on the mobile shop taking the van to key races such as Snowdon and Wasdale.

He runs off-road for fun and to keep fit for the mountains. Raymond also loves climbing and snowboarding.

SUE OWEN HOOD TO COAST USA 2007

Sue Owen

Sue has worked in the shop for the last 4 years, originally working in internet sales. She now manages the website but can occasionally be seen in the shop or on the mobile shop at races. Sue is the driving force behind the new web site and each day takes that aspect of the business to another level.

She enjoys running for pleasure mainly on the trails and fells of south Cumbria. Her most enjoyable running experience to date was competing in the Hood to Coast road relay in Oregon, USA. If you are contemplating doing this event her advice would be to avoid Leg 1 – 5.64 miles with a descent from 6000 to 4050 foot!

MARTINA PYNE

Martina Pyne

Martina joined Pete Bland Sports just over two years ago and is in charge of internet sales. She often works on the shop floor as well and like many other staff has done her fair share of stints on the mobile shop, recently attending one of our key races, Snowdon. Martinas attention to detail and work ethic ensure your goods are delivered fast and as ordered.

She originally comes from Koprivnice in the Czech Republic, the same town as the legendary runner Emil Zatopek. Following in his footsteps Martina, a former sprinter, is now turning to running 5 and 10 k road races and is venturing into fell running.

PHIL LEE PROUDLY WINS BRONZE IN THE WORLD CEREBRAL PALSY GAMES

Phil Lee

Phil joined us in 2007 and works on the shop floor. His product knowledge is second to none and there is nothing Phil won't do to help you in store. Phil also assists Martina with internet sales.

He is a keen runner competing in both 800 and 1500 m races on the track and is currently training hard to break into the British Disabled Squad. He has represented England and Wales in the World Cerebral Palsy Games in America in 2005, winning Bronze in both distances. His personal best times are 2.15 for 800 m and 4.42 for 1500 m.

Phil also runs on the road in distances from 5k to marathons. His best times are 3.19.20 for the marathon, 1.24 for the half-marathon, 1.03 for 10 miles, and 38.11 for 10 km. He is determined to beat Matt’s 10k time and did on the 6.12.09, clocking 36.45 in the Ulverston Christmas pudding 10k.

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