Check out our inspiring coaches below. All coaches are volunteers, but officially trained and insured by England Athletics. You can spot them a mile off now in their bright new kit!
Read their bios below to find out more about them, their favourite race, top training tips and more…..
Qualification: Leader in Running Fitness (LiRF)
Favourite Race: Half Marathon
Coaching Top Tip: Stick to the plan! Having a good plan for whatever you are doing (couch to 5k or your first marathon) is good practice and not only keeps one motivated but also helps avoid injury.
What I enjoy about coaching: Having come to running very late in life, what I enjoy most about coaching is seeing new starters going from never running to 5Ks and beyond.
Other than running: I have three wonderful dogs, I’m Disney obsessed, and I’m a professional composer and conductor.
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Qualification: Leader in Running Fitness (LiRF)
Favourite Race: London Marathon (predictably) or Osterley Night Run (unpredictably)
Coaching Top Tip: In winter, dress for the second mile and not the first otherwise you’ll be discarding clothes mid run.
What I enjoy about coaching: Seeing people progress and achieving their goals, especially when they get faster than me!
Other than running: How incredibly social running can be, I’ve made some incredible friends who I’ve met through running.
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Qualification: Leader in Running Fitness (LiRF) …nearly!
Favourite Race: London Marathon to run, support or volunteer. The Beerathon, 5 miles, 4 pints and 4 things to eat, all in fancy dress. What’s not to love!
Coaching Top Tip: When it comes to races, be the best you can be on the day, enjoy yourself and smile.
What I enjoy about coaching: I enjoy the thought of motivating others and demonstrating that through consistency and hard work, plus fun of course, you’ll get the rewards you deserve.
Other than running: Cycling, gardening and drinking beer in the sunshine
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Qualification: Leader in Running Fitness (LiRF) & Level 3 Personal Trainer
Favourite Race: Anywhere that includes a holiday!
Coaching Top Tip: Rest days are just as important as run days.
What I enjoy about coaching: Motivating people to achieve their goals
Other than running: Seem to spend a lot of time doing DIY!
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Qualification: Leader in Running Fitness (LiRF) …nearly!
Favourite Race: Surrey Half or one of the many Dorney Triathlons.
Coaching Top Tip: As a Triathlete I really value cross-training for all runners. It’s incredible for keeping you injury free, strengthening different muscle groups and keeps training fun.
What I enjoy about coaching: Helping people to enjoy endurance sports as much as I do, discovering new local routes and meeting lots of different people.
Other than running: When I’m not training for my next Triathlon, I’m a professional musician. I play the trumpet and conduct orchestras!
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Qualification: Coach in Running Fitness (CiRF), Club Coach Co-Ordinator
Favourite Race: London Marathon & Ultras (mainly trail ones)
Coaching Top Tip: Train your mind not just your body and trust the process
What I enjoy about coaching: watching others achieve their goals and enjoying the social side of running
Other than running: Scuba diving, travelling in our campervan, food (especially chocolate!)
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Qualification: Leader in Running Fitness (LiRF)
Favourite distance to run: 10k, Half Marathon.
Coaching philosophy: No excuses, just get out there and do it.
What I enjoy about coaching: Seeing the change, improvement and enjoyment.
Other than running: I am a scuba diving instructor, and sometime disappear off around the world to do some work with a marine conservation organisation.
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Qualification: Coach in Running Fitness (CiRF), UKA Regional Panel Member, Black Park Parkrun pacer squad manager
Favourite Race: New York Marathon. Just 5/10k these days !
Coaching Top Tip: SMILE (…..100 reasons ! )
What I enjoy about coaching: Helping others achieve their goals. Teaching running techniques (and learn from my many mistakes in the past !)
Other than running: Previously active in motorsport and national level tennis, playing rock guitar
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Qualification: Coach in Running Fitness (CiRF), Level 3 Personal Trainer & Level 4 Nutritionist
Favourite Race: Half Marathon
Coaching Top Tip: Consistency over perfection!
What I enjoy about coaching: Watching the enjoyment others get out of improving
Other than running: dog walking, in the gym, with my baby daughter or enjoying a glass of wine or 2
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Qualification: Leader in Running Fitness
Favourite Race: Great North Run – I’m from Sunderland and this is a big local race. Always amazing to see the Red Arrows overhead as you’re running as well!
Coaching Top Tip: Consistency is key, set realistic goals and celebrate your progress.
What you enjoy about coaching: Helping people to enjoy running and seeing them achieve their goals.
Other than running: Exploring different places with our Labrador, Charlie, and volunteering at races.
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Qualification: Leader in Running Fitness (LiRF)
Favourite Race: Tough to choose, but it has to be the London Marathon
Coaching Top Tip: Don’t be afraid to set yourself ambitious goals
What I enjoy about coaching: Seeing folks smiling after a hard session
Other than running: Fettling old motorcycles, repairing bicycles for charity, studying art history
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Qualification: Leader in Running Fitness (LiRF) and Level 3 Personal Trainer
Favourite Race: Winter Tanners 30 Miler (a really chilled trail run and great food stations!)
Coaching Top Tip: Get your fuelling right and you’ll revolutionise your performance, especially on the longer runs!
What I enjoy about coaching: Seeing people develop and enjoying their running!
Other than running: I’m really getting into triathlons and climbing mountains! Love it!
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Qualification: Leader in Running Fitness (LiRF)
Favourite Race: Cabbage Patch 10 miler
Coaching Top Tip: Consistency, keep turning up to the sessions and you’ll reap the rewards.
What I enjoy about coaching: Seeing others achieve more than they thought possible.
Other than running: Gym, dog walking, baby Guinness and karaoke
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Qualification: Leader in Running Fitness (LiRF)
Favourite Race: Parkrun
Coaching Top Tip: Beginners follow a running plan and run in a supportive social group
What I enjoy about coaching: Helping others get into running and being part of a team
Other than running: Tennis, pickleball and football
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Qualification: Leader in Running Fitness (LiRF)
Favourite Race: South Downs Way 50 Miler and Beer Lovers Marathon
Coaching Top Tip: Consistency is key and listen to your body, don’t be a slave to the programme!
What I enjoy about coaching: Seeing the progress the runners make each week and seeing their confidence and belief grow that they can achieve so much more than they thought they could
Other than running: Exploring the world, good food!
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