Coach and Leader Profiles
Coach and Leader Profiles
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Whitchurch Whippets - Your Running Club
Meet our awesome coaches and qualified run leaders. Expand each section to learn a little more about them...
Fiona Leatham - Club coach coordinator
UKA Coach in Running Fitness, UKA Leader in Running Fitness and UKA Off Road Leader (Fell, Hill, Off Road and Trail Leader module)
Been a Whippet since: 2010
Favourite race or distance: Half marathon, if I had to pick one then the Potters Arf, a tough and testing race but with loads of really good support from the locals.
Favourite training session: Probably hills or a reps session, especially when it's over half way into the session and it's going ok.
Favourite post-run food: Chelsea buns
Top running tips: Be consistent with your training and build up the distance gradually. Double tie your laces...
Best and worst running moments:
The best: Finishing the London marathon for the first time in 2011, if you don't know what happened next, don't ask, you may never get away! The worst: A few: Being injured for 4 months, once having stitch for the first 12 miles of a marathon and having to stop and re-tie my laces in a 10k pb attempt.
Janice Eastwood - Club Chair and Run Leader
UKA Leader in Running Fitness
Been a Whippet since: 2017
Favourite race or distance: London marathon - the noise from the crowds and electric atmosphere give you goose bumps all the way round, there’s no other event like it!!
Favourite training session: Long Sunday runs either chatting to friends or listening to music, especially in the springtime when the weather is bright but still cool.
Favourite post-run food: Egg on toast or a big piece of cake!
Top running tips: If you’re struggling with a run, just slow the pace right down, you’ll still be moving and might actually enjoy it. Oh and always double-tie your laces and trim those toenails before a long run!
Best running moment: Crossing the finish line at the 2025 SheUltra after months of injury-hampered training. Yes, there were a few tears of joy!
Worst running moment: Getting a horrible stress fracture on a 20-mile training run, still six miles from home. I stupidly ignored my friend’s suggestion of calling a taxi so hobbled on, resulting in nearly seven months off running.
What would your message to newcomers to Whippets be: Welcome to the friendliest club ever!! Oh and don’t always believe a run leader when they say there’s no more hills!!
Carol Fowles - Run Leader
UKA Leader in Running Fitness and UKA Off Road Leader (Fell, Hill, Off Road and Trail Leader module)
Been a Whippet since: 2018 when I moved from Suffolk to Shropshire
Favourite race or distance: Pretty much anything off-road! I've been on too many memorable runs to single out any one in particular, but what's not to like about being out in the countryside, with a bit of sunshine and a glorious view?
Favourite training session: Sprint sessions. The best one I ever did saw me in a team with three of the fastest men in my previous club. I was still recovering from my last sprint by the time my team mate was coming thundering towards me AGAIN! It was a proper challenge, and really hard work, but I loved it!
Favourite post-run food: Depends what's quick and easily to hand. Bacon butties go down well, but cereal, yoghurt and fruit, or a poached egg on toast are nice.
Top running tips: Keep at it. Don't give up. Set yourself a goal, and work towards it.
Best running moment: Being the first runner for my old club in the annual Round Norfolk Relay. 16 miles, starting in darkness in Kings Lynn, running across the marshes as the sun was coming up on a glorious September morning, and beating my predicted time by about 40 minutes. Fortunately the next runner was ready and waiting when I got to the finishing point!
Worst running moment: The finish of the Sea to Summit Half Marathon in December 2019. You completed the half marathon (an enjoyable run from Prestatyn along Offa's Dyke), but the finish was a further 2.5k up a steep hill which was unrunnable. Despite putting layers on, I was frozen by the time I got to the top (it was blowing a hoolie and sleeting up there). I got cramp in both my feet, so could barely walk. At the top, you dropped your timing chip in a bucket, and then had to descend via the same route (unrunnable!!). I was in the early stages of hypothermia by the time I got back to our van, and to add insult to injury, the timing chip gave me a time 45 minutes slower than I'd actually done. I was not a happy bunny!!!
What would your message to newcomers to Whippets be: Join. You won't regret it. The Whippets are a great bunch of friendly, sociable and supportive people who just want to share their passion with other like-minded souls.
Sarah Gill - Run Leader
UKA Leader in Running Fitness and UKA Off Road Leader (Fell, Hill, Off Road and Trail Leader module)
Been a Whippet since: 2017
Favourite race or distance: Grizzly club run, Devon. Challenging, but loads of mud and hills.
Favourite training session: Speed work. Hard work with an adrenaline rush.
Favourite post-run food: Anything with starch in it.
Top running tips: Enjoy it. PBs are great, but you also need to enjoy social chatty runs.
Best running moment: Crossing the finish line with my good friend (and fellow leader) Nikki after completing the full Grizzly in Devon. The longest distance we've ever done.
Worst running moment: Wrexham half marathon. Terrible run and didn't realise I had a spinal problem at the time. All fixed now.
What would your message to newcomers to Whippets be:
Joining the Whippets was the best thing I've ever done. Lovely friendly club with lots of different groups to suit everyone. "A Whippet is never left behind"
Duncan Meredith - Run Leader
UKA Leader in Running Fitness
Been a Whippet since: 2015
Favourite race or distance: 10k because you still have energy to breathe afterwards.
Favourite training session: Trail, it’s more interesting than road.
Favourite post-run food: Chip buttys.
Top running tips: Take it steady and talk to your leader.
Best running moment: Helping couch to 5k newcomers do their first park run.
Worst running moment: Getting wet and frozen in any run
What would your message to newcomers to Whippets be: Do it to enjoy it, listen to your leaders.
Simon Phillips - Run Leader
UKA Leader in Running Fitness and UKA Off Road Leader (Fell, Hill, Off Road and Trail Leader module)
Been a Whippet since: 2008
Favourite race or distance: Llandegla Dash in the Dark. It’s hilly, muddy, off-road and run in dark, so what’s not to like.
Favourite training session: Hill reps of course.
Favourite post-run food: Post cross country cakes or should that just be any cake.
Top running tips: Try and do some trail or off-road running, it has a stack of benefits including improving your balance, strengthening your legs and core. Also don’t be afraid to run your long runs a lot slower than normal, you’ll still get all the benefits without the chances of over doing it.
Best and worst running moments: My worst running moment was probably a long run out and back down the canal towpath many years ago. I felt great running out, but when I turned around it was into an ever stronger headwind and ended up taking 20 minutes longer on the way back. I don't think I've ever been so demoralised during a run as there just wasn't any shortcut to take.
My best moment, well definitely one of my most memorable, was running around the Long Mynd in the Mercia Hill Trial the morning after it had dumped loads of snow during the night before. It was definitely one of those days you're glad to be a runner.
Michelle Purcell - Run Leader
UKA Leader in Running Fitness
Been a Whippet since: 2014
Favourite race or distance: Liverpool spring 10k.
Favourite training session: Simon’s special K’s (a killer really!)
Favourite post-run food: Italian or Thai very close call
Top running tips: Start training slowly, don’t expect results too quickly and you will appreciate what you achieve more, but most importantly run to enjoy it don’t beat yourself up if you have a bad run.
Best running moment: Doing my first half marathon
Worst running moment: Getting taken out in a race where I needed a quick time by a bloke in an adapted wheelchair who wasn’t looking where he was going ( luckily still managed to do the time I needed)
Adam Richards - Run Leader
UKA Leader in Running Fitness and Qualified Guide Runner
Been a Whippet since: God was in short pants... or feels that way! 2013ish I think
Favourite race or distance: Half marathon - long enough to be a challenge, short enough that I can waste the rest of that day basking in the glory of finishing in one piece.
Favourite training session: Hills, purely because I'm a glutton for punishment.
Favourite post-run food: The unhealthier the better!
Top running tips: The hardest step is the first one out of the door, once you're out you may as well enjoy yourself.
Best running moment: The first time I ran the London Marathon. The atmosphere was incredible and start to finish it was a very emotional run.
Worst running moment: Hmmmm.... jumping a hedge during a training run! If you know, you know...
What would your message to newcomers to Whippets be: Set yourself a target that is an achievable goal. Keep moving the goalposts for yourself and you'll be amazed at what you can do.
Andrew Rodgers - Run Leader
UKA Leader in Running Fitness
Been a Whippet since: 2019
Favourite race or distance: Parkrun: relaxed, friendly, and you can run (or walk) at what ever pace you fancy on the day.
Favourite training session: Carb loading. That’s training isn’t it?
Favourite post-run food: Chips from the chippy after a Whippets run.
Top running tips: The hardest part of any run is getting out of the door.
Best running moment: Primary school sponsored run, aged 9. It’s all been downhill since then.
Worst running moment: Being overtaken by an 85 year old on an uphill section of the Freckleton Half.
What would your message to newcomers to Whippets be: If you’re off your backside and moving you’re doing okay.
Dave Thornton - Run Leader
UKA Leader in Running Fitness and Qualified Guide Runner
Been a Whippet since: 2016
Favourite race or distance: Farndon 10k. Nice and local and a lovely run through the lanes.
Favourite training session: Early Sunday morning social long run especially in Spring and Summer. 10 miles done before most people are up and about - sets you up nicely for the day.
Favourite post-run food: Large full English breakfast at the Raven Cafe after a Sunday morning long run.
Top running tips: Don’t worry about beating your PB’s on every race - just enjoy the run.
Best running moment: Finally breaking 50 minutes at Chester 10k - running into Northgate Street and seeing the timing clock at 48 minutes - totally unexpected.
Worst running moment: Ellesmere 10k in 32 degree heat - just one water station. Most people were walking after 5km - just too hot
What would your message to newcomers to Whippets be: Try not to do too much too soon and get injured. Build up your time and distance slowly and feel the benefits.
Martin Dudley - Run Leader
UKA Leader in Running Fitness
Been a Whippet since: 2022
Favourite race or distance: Half marathon. They feel less chaotic than 5k or 10k races.
Favourite training session: Intervals or hills. Tough sessions to do, but you always feel better after doing them!
Favourite post-run food: Usually something unhealthy as a reward for my efforts!
Top running tips: Try to pace yourself as best as you can - that way you'll enjoy it more! Set yourself challenging but achievable targets.
Best running moment: Running the Great North Run. The atmosphere and support are brilliant nearly all the way around the course
Worst running moment: Any run in hot temperatures.
What would your message to newcomers to Whippets be: Keep turning up - the hardest part of running is when you first get into it. There will be plenty of encouragement from others at the club who have been in the same situation.
Julie Hollins - Run Leader
UKA Leader in Running Fitness
Been a Whippet since: 2018
Favourite race or distance: Really enjoyed the Sandstone trail 10 mile, beautiful setting and scenery.
Favourite training session: Fartlek - it’s good to mix things up.
Favourite post-run food: Poached eggs on toast.
Top running tips: Dress for the second mile.
Best running moment: A 29 minute Parkrun in 2019 - it will never happen again!
Worst running moment: Getting a knee injury and not being able to run for months.
What would your message to newcomers to Whippets be: The Whippets are a friendly bunch, it’s not all about running…great social gatherings too!
Gill Fowles - Run Leader
UKA Leader in Running Fitness
Nikki Shingler- Run Leader
UKA Leader in Running Fitness
Been a Whippet since: 2017
Favourite race or distance: Hard to choose but I really enjoyed the London vitality 10k. You get to see a lot of the London landmarks without needing to run a marathon! The Beerathon in London is always a good one too! 5 mile laps, a pint and snack between each one and fancy dress what's not to love!
Favourite training session: Anything with intervals. It makes me feel like I'm one of the fast runners for a change!
Favourite post-run food: Chip butty!
Top running tips: Don't be afraid to give one of the training sessions ago, whether it's hills, intervals etc they are suitable for absolutely all abilities you only go as fast as you wanna go.
Best running moment: Finishing the Grizzly with Sarah and another group of runners who refused to let us 2 finish last after 20 gruelling miles of hills, beaches, mud, cliffs, road, water etc you name it it was probably in there! It's definitely my biggest achievement to date and it was bloody hard going both physically and mentally (story for another time) but to finish it hand in hand obviously in tears has been a highlight!
Worst running moment: Finishing Hilly Fields parkrun and being so close to being sick I was actually on the floor on all fours. Luckily I was able to keep it in.
What would your message to newcomers to Whippets be: We are a lovely if not slightly mad bunch, but definitely all friendly, oh and we love cake!
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