Co-founding Wells City Harriers with Kevin Sheppard, Bernie helped build a thriving club while achieving personal success, including PBs like a 2:40 marathon, 74-minute half, and 4:36 mile. Inspired by Steve Ovett, he favoured track sessions, half-marathons, and iconic events like the New York Marathon. His passion, camaraderie, and contributions to the Harriers remains his proudest achievements.
Bernie Mundy
(At the first Wells Fun Run)
Interview - January 2025
When did you start running and what got you into running?
My initial motivation to run followed a judo injury. I became fat and unfit and started following a Canadian Air Force fitness regime. Every session ended with a short out and back run. Well the runs became longer and I was hooked. I entered the first London Marathon on about 6 months running and ran about 3hr15. That was 1981. Cliff Temple sent me a schedule.
Bernie's first half marathon, alongside Brian Beale (1981)
Do you have a running hero or someone who inspired you?
My stand out running hero has always been Steve Ovett. He never had the natural ability of rival Seb Coe – but he made up for that in guts, determination and unbelievably hard work.
How long have you been a Wells City Harrier for?
Interesting question. From the start. The Late Kevin Sheppard and I hit on the idea of a local club when driving back from Bath AC where we were members and trained every week. I’ll never forget the response we had from local runners to meet and join us in centre of Wells for what became the regular Wednesday evening run. From little acorns etc…
What was the club like in its infancy?
In the very early days of the club people joined from all walks of life – some good athletes and many never having run before. The majority stuck with it and despite the fact that none of us had any real idea what we were doing, and running shoes were still in their infancy, people went on to achieve wonderful things. There was a lack of training and dietary advice in early days so we just winged it with what info we could glean. Then we all shared anything we found out about diets, injuries etc. My first training runs were in Woolworth’s plimsolls (little black pumps from a now defunct high street store for all you younger members). Running has come a long way since then – but it was a magical time of invention leading to WCH.
What runs do you enjoy the best?
If I could still do them it would be the Sunday morning 20s with Tony Williams and Paul Curtis (all that was missing were numbers!) Later track sessions became my favourite training. I still do similar sessions only on road and much, much slower!
What distance races do you enjoy running?
Although I ran countless marathons in first 7 years or so of running I really enjoyed half marathons more. We did run them frequently all over the place. On the track it was 800/1500m.
Do you have a favourite local race?
Bath Half Marathon was my early favourite as well as the 5 mile Weston Prom series which used to attract excellent runners from all over.
What do you enjoy about Park Run?
I did love competing, especially in track meetings and road miles. Although no longer really competitive, Park Run produces the same camaraderie between the runners – and age categorisation gives me a level playing field to run in.
Burnham Park Run (2024)
Are there any standout moments during your time as a WCH – for yourself or other members?
Anyone who remembers the twinning relay runs in the early 80s will know what I mean by saying that both runs (Dover to Wells then Paray through Germany to Bad Durkheim) were unforgettable experiences. Tony and I started with a 20 mile leg only to find Germans were doing 10k apiece. We had ‘em though as corporal Jones might say. Great friendships were forged.
Where is the best place you have run?
Tempted to say London for Marathon, but finish for New York through Central Park is my favourite. Boston was pretty good as well.
New York Marathon (2000)
Most of your results and PBs were pre digital records. Can you share a few?
I have been trawling through old diaries and dug up my best times. Marathon wise I ran a series between 1982 and 1986 in the low to mid 2hr 40m. Training with Tony and Paul helped! My best half marathon was 74 minutes. My best 5k 16:32. All my notes say my best 10k was sub 34. Probably 33min59.9! Usually struggled to break 35. My best mile on the track was 4 minutes 36. Best 800m 2min03 (both as V45). As a V70 I ran a 47 minutes 10k, and a 1hr40 half. For about 1 day I held the fastest V70 5k in the country!
Do/did you participate in other sports?
Junior League football for 10 years, cricket for about the same and judo (until I realised I was better off running as I was a bit puny).
Did you have a preferred running brand?
New Balance were my first serious running shoe, but for my best marathon times I wore Adidas Adistar runners. During track racing I wore, and still have, Brooks’ spikes and road shoes. Most recently it is Asics. I have always bought the lightest shoes I can find.
What is your greatest running achievement?
Just before I turned V40 I had a major operation to remove my left Kidney. Rather put paid to all the distance mileage I was used to doing and I became an 800/1500/5k runner (although I did run a 2hr 56 marathon less than a year after the op). On the track I won several South West County championships and as a V45 won bronze in national 800 championships. Still I think my greatest achievement was, with Kev, getting WCH off the ground, and I am so proud to see how it has developed over the subsequent years.
Any other running stories?
My track coach for several years was my friend Clive Thomas. I turned up to a county championship one year (1992 I think) to run and Clive took me to one side and asked if I would pace Adam Duke to attempt a championship record 1500m. Of course I said yes, ran my fastest 600 ever, and Adam broke the championship record. Been friends with Adam ever since. I think if Clive was still with us I’d still be running track.
Pacing 1500m
Incidentally, and unknown to each other, Angela Thomas also ran the first London in 1981 and I think we were pretty close to each other timewise. First time we ran in New York me and Kev were part of a group containing Madge Sharples and we became friends. Madge was the older face of Avon cosmetics at the time and we had a visit to their NY HQ. Won’t mean much to younger members of the club but she was a very formidable lady. To view Bernie's performances, visit his 'Power of 10' and 'Run Britain' profiles, by clicking on the images below.
Missed an interview? Click on the links below to Meet another Harrier.
Carol Buckland - November 2024
Graham Goldsmid - January 2024