Jim Adams, the very well-respected chairman of Stroud and District Athletic Club, is standing down at the end of this month.

The 69-year-old has held the position for the past eight years, a position he will officially relinquish at the club’s AGM on Tuesday 30^th September.

Adams will remain a familiar face around the club but he said: “I think I’ve done my bit, I’d like somebody else to take on the role, bring new ideas and energy.”

Whoever takes on the role will have big shoes to fill because Adams, who has been a member of the club for two decades, has certainly made a big impression as chairman.

“I’m very proud about what we’ve achieved,” he said. “In terms of the balance of the club, it’s almost a 50/50 split between males and females.

“We’ve also got a thriving triathlon section, we’ve got ultra-runners and keen parkrunners. There’s a lot more diversity at the club.”

Adams will remain a major figure at the club because he is taking on the role of vice-chairman, replacing Dermot Mullen.

“Dermot will also be stepping down at the AGM,” said Adams. “He was previously chairman before me and has supported me throughout my time in the chair.

“I will take his place as vice-chair and give him a break!”

It means Adams will still be very much hands-on when this year’s Stroud Half Marathon takes place on Sunday 26^th October.

The race was first run in 1982 and this year, for the first time, it will be run alongside a 10K.

“It’s very interesting,” Adams said. “There is a limit of 200 entries for the 10K and the leaders of both races should be crossing the finishing line at about the same time.”

The finishing line is at Marling School which is also the starting point for the half-marathon, a race that will get under way at 9am.

The 10K, meanwhile, will start at 9.20am in Grove Lane in Whitminster with Adams explaining: “We will be bussing the 10K competitors from Marling School to the start at Whitminster.

“The Stroud Half Marathon is the club’s flagship event and we want to encourage as many people as possible to get involved.

“It may be that some people feel a half-marathon is too much for them but they’re more comfortable running a 10K.”

Last year’s Stroud Half was won by Western Tempo’s Dylan Gillett in one hour, eight minutes, 11 seconds.