In his prime, Roger won many local road races including the Swineshead 10 mile, Gamlingay 8.5 mile, Stondon Stomp 10 mile, Standalone 10k, and Ampthill Cross Country.  He set his best marathon performance of 2 hours 29 minutes at the London Marathon of 1982, but many believe his best overall performances were in the Dorset Doddle 31 mile event along the undulating coastal path from Weymouth to Swanage.  Roger won this event on several occasions, and in 1991 he set a record of 4 hours 20 minutes; a record that still stands today and is unlikely to be beaten.

Roger was born and raised in Leeds, and moved to Biggleswade after joining the RAF in 1964.  He was stationed all over the UK and Germany, and finally left the RAF in 1978 after 14 years service as a Senior Electrician, working on Nimrods, Canberras and Buccaneers.  It was during his time living in Biggleswade and stationed at RAF Wyton that Roger joined Biggleswade AC, and he soon made his mark in local road and cross country races.  He was a committed front runner who always went out hard to try and destroy the opposition and hope he could hang on.  It usually worked!

Later in his running career he enjoyed many long distance challenges, and completed a number of courses including the South Downs 80 miles (14 hours), West Highland Way 95 miles, Yorkshire 3 Peaks Fell Race, the Three Peaks of Great Britain twice (best time 17 hours), High Peak 40 miles and the Ben Nevis Fell Race.  He was legendary for getting lost on some courses, but he always managed to finish the event with a smile on his face, always willing to give support and advice to other runners.

Roger's outlook on running, and on life in general, was that nothing was impossible.  And this is how he lived his life.  No matter what crazy running scheme he and his friends came up with it was always Roger who said that it was achievable and that we should give it a try, and he was usually proved right.  He was an inspiration and hero to dozens of runners, and his cheery outlook on life and willingness to give advice and help to fellow runners was truly magnificent.  Our hearts and thoughts go out to his wife Ann and all the family at this difficult time.