Anne Roden is one of the best female distance runners that South London Harriers has ever had. Her marathon records remain unbroken and not 
many men in the club have run faster. Anne started running in her mid 30s, following years of playing high-class korfball and she soon adapted her more ‘chunky’ netball player physique to that of a slim compact runner.
Anne has run many international marathons for Great Britain. In Belgium in 1988 she ran a time of 2 hours 38 minutes, in Milan in 1989, Anne ran in the World Cup Marathon in 2 hours 39 minutes and the World Cup Marathon in London in 1991. Another challenging marathon that Anne ran was in Kuala Lumpur when she was second in 2 hours 48 minutes in spite of temperatures of 100 degrees and 100 per cent humidity. Anne also won the Auckland City Marathon at the age of 46 in 2 hours 39 minute; the first race ever to cross the famous ‘Coat Hanger’ bridge. Both of Anne's veteran records were set on the challenging Boston course where in 1992, she ran 2 hours 37 minutes as a 45 year old. The record Anne set as a 50 year old of 2 hours 45 minutes at this race remains unbroken to this day. Anne was equally as successful at other road distances and excelled as a track and cross-country runner winning the Surrey League on many occasions.
Anne’s brother and coach, Tom, puts the secret of her success down to her mental attitude. As Tom says, it was Anne’s ‘ability to enjoy every minute of preparation, to always put in one hundred per cent’ that made Anne a great runner. Everyone who knows Anne will agree that this is how she conducts her whole life.
When she was the SLH president from 2001 to 2004 it was universally agreed that she was excellent at the job introducing many new and exciting ideas.
Another gift Anne has is her ability not only to share her love of athletics but also the secrets of her own success. With this aim, she works tirelessly to bring the enjoyment of the sport to all ages. Anne’s Sportshall groups have been victorious on numerous occasions and many of the youngsters nurtured in this environment have gone to become excellent athletes. Other children just enjoy the fun of this type of training and benefit from increased mental and physical fitness. Anne also works in local schools and it is partly thanks to her efforts that South London Harriers can boast that 1/3 of its members are under 20 years of age.
It is typical of Anne’s enthusiasm for new and innovative ways of making running more inclusive that she has wholeheartedly embraced the parkrun concept. Anne has given her full support to Banstead parkrun, 
not only as the Patron but also by volunteering on a regular basis. Many young athletes are encouraged to run the parkrun as an enjoyable training session, no one is pressurised and every one is encouraged with the same amount of enthusiasm.
Banstead Woods parkrun director Chris Phelan is honoured that Anne has agreed to become this event's patron. He is having a trophy engraved in recognition of Anne’s contribution to athletics. This will be presented to the runner whom she considers to have made the most sustained improvement during the year. This perpetual trophy will be presented at each anniversary of the first evet in June.