Achievements
PC Broadbent, aged 38 years, joined the Lancashire force as a cadet in 1976 and has served 20 years as a constable in the Northern police division.
His sporting career starts as far back as his cadet days when his attributes to running-related sports were clearly established. However, it is in the past ten years when Steve's talent for long distance running on both roads and in the hills went from strength to strength.
In recent years, Steve developed an interest in organising running events which led to him being nominated for a number of sport secretarial roles.
Steve's world of sport did not just stop at running. Orienteering, triathlon and more hazardous sports, including water-skiing, snow-skiing and hand gliding, were on his list during the 1980's.
Things came to a head in 1996 and 1997 when Steve was in the winning team in the 'Three Peaks Yacht Race', organised the 1996 National PAA 10 Mile Road Race and finally, broke the three hour barrier running the London Marathon in 2 hours 54 minutes. A summary of all his achievements are highlighted:
Sporting Activities
1977 - Selected for the Lancashire Cadet cross country team in the National Championships in Hendon and runner-up in the annual Lancashire cadet orienteering Championships.
1978 - 1997 - Competed for the force in the Northern Police Cross Country League.
1980 - 1987 - Became a proficient powered hang-glider pilot and water-skier.
Steve Receives his award from
Chief Constable Pauleen Clare
with his wife Anne and Club
chairman, Mr David Brindle
1984 - In the summer, Steve combined his up and coming running and cycling abilities by cycling from John o' Groats to Land's End with a fellow colleague. Not content with the direct 850 mile route they extended their journey to 1100 miles and ran up and down Britain's three highest mountains, Ben Nevis, Sca Fell and Snowdon.
This was one of Steve's earlier challenges which the two officers completed in 14 days and raised £2,500 for a local charity.
1987 - 1992 - Competed in a large number of triathlons including the 'Jennings Lakeland Mountain Triathlon' which involved fresh water swimming, cycling over mountain passes and fell running disciplines.
1993 - Competed in the Lanzorote Ironman Triathlon which involved a 2.4 mile swim, a 112 mile cycle ride and a marathon run in 90 degrees of sunshine!
1994 - With a fellow colleague won the Cheshire Police annual 'Frostbite' race, a 50 mile two day orienteering race in rural Cheshire. 1995 - With two other colleagues came 3rd in the Northumbria Police 'Cheviot 2000 Mountain Marathon' - a gruelling 22 mile fell race in the Cheviots.
1996 - With four colleagues from Nottinghamshire force competed in the prestigious Barmouth to Fort William 3 Peaks Yacht race. This event involved sailing between the two points via Britain's three highest mountains, Snowdon, Sca Fell and Ben Nevis.
Steve with his running partner, MossSteve and his team mate had to run to the summit of each peak after being dropped at the respective harbour ports, a total of 72 miles and 10,000 feet of ascent.
The race was the closest fought in its 20 year history. Head to head with other yachts the team won the race in 3 days 5 hours and 1 minute, only 6 minutes ahead of the next team.
To add to the excitement, the event was televised by Channel 4 Transworld Sport. Steve's team featured in much of the ten minute film which has apparently been seen on satellite TV as far away as Australia!
1997 - During Steve's 20 year sporting career, he has managed to complete the same number of marathons.
He has completed 8 PAA Championship marathons in a variety of locations in the UK and equally 8 London Marathons. He has also competed in Berlin, Rotterdam and Amsterdam.
His best marathon achievement was in 1997 when he finally reached his marathon goal, a sub 3 hour time. Ironically, his 2 hour 54 minute run placed him just in the top 1000 runners - '999' th no less!
Organisational Achievements
1992 - Steve was nominated as secretary of the force Athletics and Cross Country Section. Since his appointment he has organised the annual Inter-Divisional Cross Country, 10 Kilometre road race, Athletics and Triathlon Championships.
1993 - 1995 - Steve's experience in triathlon events, particularly the mountain variety led to him establishing his own 'Lakeland Slateman Triathlon' involving three gruelling disciplines in the Lake District hills.
This event attracted 100 police officers from as many as 30 police forces to take part annually over a three year period.
1996 - Steve took a year off from the Slateman Triathlon to take on his biggest ever organisational challenge. A national PAA 10 mile road race championship event.
Taking place on Morecambe Promenade the event attracted 350 police officers from 40 police forces. Two nights accommodation, food and entertainment as well as the race had to be carefully co-ordinated. Steve and his team from the Athletics Section were successful in putting together a well hosted event.
1997 - Nominated as secretary of the Lancashire Constabulary Sports and Social Club and now sits on the PAA Regional Committee.
The now well established 'Slateman' name returned again to form the 'new look' Lakeland Slateman 3 Peaks Challenge.
This was a gruelling 40 mile run over England's three highest peaks, Scafell, Skiddaw and Helvellyn. 80 police officers competed in the new Slateman Challenge which tested endurance, navigational and athletic skills and abilities.
Again the 1997 event was a success and will return this summer.
Other Achievements
Finally, when not out running or organising events, Steve has taken to surfing ...the Internet! A website named 'UK Police Running Sports' has been devised and is up and running.
It includes details of all established police running related events including PAA Championships and his own 'Slateman' event.
A Lancashire Constabulary Sports and Social site is under construction which will highlight all the sport and social activities for the Lancashire Force.
The Future
1998 - Steve plans to complete the well known 'Bob Graham Round' in the summer of '99, a tough 72 mile fell run in the Lake District. His long term plan is to complete his 50th marathon race on (or around) his 50th birthday.
