Dasher of the Month courtesy of Simon Smith
June’s Dasher of the Month is the multi-talented Diane Dudgeon. I first met Di when we were timekeeping together at Witton Parkrun. I could tell that she was a superstar so (when I could get a word in ) I insisted that she joined us. As well as being a great runner and friend to many of us, Diane is also one of the Race Directors at Witton Parkrun and she has recently volunteered to become our Club Welfare Officer. Thanks, Di
June 2025 Diane Dudgeon
1. Do you have a nickname?
No, not really. Most people call me Di but some call me Dudge. Diagonal Dudge is my latest nickname!
2. What is your favourite piece of running kit/equipment?
I do like my faithful black running leggings as the pockets are great in them (I’m easily pleased).
3: What’s your favourite race?
I like trail and fell races – and as my race experience isn’t that varied as of yet, I think The Roddlesworth Roller is a favourite. It’s local, has a lovely route and it raises money for a good cause.
4: 3 PBs that you’re most proud of
2018 Chester Metric Marathon in 2:08:35.
I had the V45 record on the Don Ashton Memorial race in 2019-2022 – 52:12. I actually beat that in 2023 but was nowhere near the new record time – and the times have just got faster so I doubt I’ll ever hold the age record again!
Parkrun PB at Ormskirk of 22:47 – still trying to top that!
5: What has been your worst running injury?
I only started running in 2014 when I did C25K and after doing a 10K progression programme, I joined another running group. On one of their club runs, I suffered a grade 3 muscle tear to my shin that took 6 months to heal. It took another 3 months until I could run. It was very painful and was also the deciding factor to run unattached for a while.
6: Improving Dasher to keep an eye on
As I’ve only been a Dasher myself for nearly a year, I can only comment on runners I have run with or seen in races. I think some of the ladies are doing really well – Sanne, Jenna and Ruth are improving all the time, and Julie & Jackie are coming back really strong. Martin (Wright) is brilliant – he’s done 65 marathons and still manages to pull off a decent Parkrun after running one!
7: Where is the most exotic place you’ve ran?
I don’t think I’ve run anywhere exotic! We had a 10 year sabbatical from holidaying abroad due to having a family and that’s when I started running so I’ve only ever run in Lanzarote and Portugal abroad. I have run on some beautiful headlands in Wales and the South coast though, and our own Darwen Moors are something spectacular.
8: Highlight of your running ‘career’ so far
Joining Darwen Dashers! As I have been running solo for the last 10 years or so, running has been more of a hobby really. Apart from being top of the Parkrun Championship at the moment, I think completing the 2018 Chester Metric Marathon has to be a highlight.
9: Any hobbies we don’t know about?
I’m such a geek. Some might know I’m part of a Trig Bagging group (with John Randall) where we are ‘bagging’ the 100 trigs in Lancashire. I’m an avid Star Wars fan - I have a great collection of vintage stuff and I’ve met a lot of the actors from the Trilogy like Kenny Baker, David Prowse and Anthony Daniels. I also collect Wallace & Gromit memorabilia, world stamps and coins. I do a lot of volunteering too – litter picking with Keep Blackburn Tidy, and I’m a Run Director at Witton Parkrun and Witton Junior Parkrun.
10: Interesting fact about yourself
I’m not very interesting to be honest – but I have met quite a few famous people just going about my everyday business: I briefly met Anita Roddick when I worked for the Body Shop; I met Gary Lineker at a golf tournament (and told him he was fit – years ago, obviously); I went drinking around Prague with Gilly Coman (Bread); and when I was doing my Art BTec, Terry Gennoe gave me tour around Blackburn Rovers before the revamp and I met all the old players like Colin Hendry, Tim Sherwood, and Tony Parkes. I got married in Las Vegas and whilst in New York, I was asked for a light by Lukas Haas who was just stood outside a shop on Times Square. I was also on the Andrew J. Barberi Ferry that crashed into Staten Island that same week – luckily, we weren’t injured. I was involved in the TV show DIY SOS when they did the Nightsafe project at St Silas’ Blackburn in 2019 and met all the presenters there. I have loads of blonde moments even though I have a Master’s Degree, and I can touch my nose with my tongue and wiggle my ears.
11: Most interesting job(s) past or present
I’ve had quite a few different jobs over the years; I used to be the Relief Manager of the Brown Cow whilst I finished my education which was a lot of fun (and lock ins!), and more recently I was a PPE Buyer for an Irish company, where I did a lot of international travel for shows and conferences. It’s great hearing people’s worldly stories.
12: Dasher you admire and why?
Our lovely Lady Linda (Coffey) is inspirational! Her running is just fabulous for her young years and she is so nice and funny, I do like catching up with her at races. And Heather is so clever and forward thinking, and proving herself to be a great addition to the Dashers’ Committee.
13: Any future running ambitions?
I would like to attempt a Marathon – I always said I would run one when I turned 50 but I never felt confident about it. Who knows, 52 might be the age?
14: Which song on your playlist makes you run faster & further?
I’m going to sound like a right old biddy here, but I never listen to music when out running. I like to look around and take in my surroundings, especially given how I mostly run off road. Give me the birds tweeting and leaves rustling anytime.
15: Which person past or present would you most like to run with?
I think Robin Williams was such a beautiful soul; I fell in love with him as Mork growing up in the 70s and he was such a funny and amazing actor in all his films. Even though he hid his pain, he was hilarious and I bet he would’ve been great company whilst out on the trails.
16: Best thing about Darwen Dashers.
There is no elitism and everyone is so nice and friendly. There is a real community feel about the whole group. I have had reservations about joining running clubs in the past, but I am so glad I joined Darwen Dashers – I feel at home. I have to thank Simon and Paul for convincing me to join last year.
17: Any running, or other superstitions?
I won’t divulge my pre-race or run activities but it is safe to say, I do stick to a certain routine before any race or parkrun. I don’t like my Strava distances finishing on funny numbers so end up jogging about to round them up and I also have a thing about race numbers!
18: Your perfect, indulgent, post run meal
I’m not a fussy eater and I eat anything and everything, but I do love a big roast dinner – the only problem being it’s me who always ends up cooking it.
19: One piece of advice for a new runner
Listen to your body and don’t do things or try to keep up with other people or their expectations of you if you’re not ready. Just take it steady and enjoy it!
20: Sum yourself up in 5 words
Maternal, wholesome, low-maintenance, insightful, grateful.
