History of the Black Pear Joggers
On a summer's evening, Monday club night, there may well be nearly 200 Black Pear Joggers heading out for a run (usually including a number of people who are joining in for the first time). In the summer of 1999, there was an average of 12 people (and a dog!) attending the Club at Perdiswell Leisure Centre on Bilford Road, Worcester, who kindly host us. The club’s origins go back even further though…
This page is very much under construction. If you have any interesting stories or information about the history of the club, let us know.
1980s: Perdiswell Ladies
Back in the 80s, Olympic marathon runner Sally Ellis founded the Perdiswell Ladies Jogging Club. Much of the history and how this eventually evolved into the Black Pear Joggers is not known, but it shows that the club and its home at Perdiswell has a long history.
Sisters Karen Hinks (4th from left) and Suzanne Price (right) are still part of the local running community; running with our neighbouring club, the Pershore Plum Plodders.
Eventually, the club allowed men to participate and was named Worcester Joggers. This article from the Worcester News (April 20th 1991) shows members training for London Marathon. Stuart Wild went on to develop the club’s Sunday marathon training schedule. Liz Stacey (right) still runs with the club.
1999: Twelve people and a dog
Back in the summer of 1999, an average of 12 people and a dog met for a run at Perdiswell Leisure Centre.
2001: A club is formed
Around 2001 people decided to form an official club. The Worcester Joggers club colours were blue, and the club continued to grow, with people attracted to a friendly atmosphere, different paces, group leaders, mustering for back markers, and social events (lots of people new to the City joined to make friends).
The original Worcester Joggers website can still be accessed online today, which features a range of historic photos and club information!
2005: Black Pear Joggers
In 2005 the club applied to become affiliated with UK Athletics, and the club’s name changed to Black Pear Joggers to avoid confusion with the already affiliated Worcester AC. The kit was changed from the original blue; to black with white and orange hoops.
Why Black Pear?
The Black Pear of Worcester, from which the Club is named, dates back to Roman times. English bowmen from Worcestershire carried black pear to the battle of Agincourt, and when Queen Elizabeth 1st visited the City in 1575 the Black Pear tree was part of the welcome celebrations, and the Queen ordered 3 pears to be added to the City’s coat of arms.