Southend Sports

I've raced all distances, from 800m on the track to a 40-mile ultra-race in ten Peak District, but my personal favourite race distance is the 5km where my personal best is 16.37 on the road. I also helped set a then-world record for a relay race from New York City to Los Angeles at the age of 16, a race that involved a total of 3064 miles and 15 runners.

Having since qualified as a UKA endurance coach over 20 years ago, I am now privileged to share my hard-won knowledge and expertise by coaching athletes on the track, on the roads up to the marathon and for cross-country. My most notable achievement as a coach has been coaching the English National Under 13 Boy cross-country champion in 2011. I have been a self-employed personal trainer and running coach for the last 10 years. I enjoy working with the young athletes at SS Athletics and helping them on the pathway in the sport.”

Through coaching, I have had the honour of working with and helping athletes achieve excellence. Some have gone on to become county champions at both the borough and county levels.

Coaching isn't just a profession to me – It's a calling, and to that end I'm dedicated to helping develop the athletes I work with so they can maximise their potential.”

Whilst I no longer compete (as my 40-year-old knees won't allow it), I do still own a pair of spikes and regularly take the opportunity to have a little “sprint off” with SSA endurance boys at a Friday session.

I have loved working with the athletes at SSA, watching them grow and develop (some from their very first day on the track, through to their very first competition), and it is wonderful to see the camaraderie and support between the athletes and the coaches. SSA not only helps the athletes achieve their personal bests, but builds character, teaches the athletes how to cope when things don't quite go to plan and in the alternative, encourages them to recognise and celebrate their own success.”