Coaches Gallery

What is  a LIRF? - Click Here or a CIRF  - Click Here

Head Coach

Ian Jones

CIRF

First fond memories of running as a 6-7 yr old at primary school challenging self to how many laps of the playground could be done during break times – in shoes. Probably initiated from the relentless jogging as a toddler needed to keep up with mother during any outing to the shops. Those early training sessions developed some sort of endurance!

Secondary school confirmed I wasn’t born with fast twitch fibres, always finishing last in the 100m and I was rubbish at cricket too. But with some planned misbehaviour when the PE teacher thought a reasonable punishment was to run laps of the playing fields instead, off I went very happy. I also smashed the school cross-country records before leaving school then went on to college and made new ones there too. Did ok at cycling and got wear a GB jersey on several occasions and a few years racing in France too. Then reality kicked in and mundane life took over instead. Joined BHR in 2003 and competed in distances from 5k to marathon, although 10k to half marathon being my favourite distances. Been coaching for the last 5 years and adore watching our runners improve in all aspects of their running. Special interests are functions and dysfunctions of muscles.

Kim Cruttenden

LIRF

I started running in 2015, at the age of 54, following a “Couch to  5k” plan from a book which led to doing parkrun and then, along with my husband,  decided it was time to join a club! Luckily for us, BHR met on Wednesday nights which was the best night for us so we became members of the “friendliest running club”. Since then I have been very proud to race in BHR colours and even ran my first Marathon in 2017 in Brighton, having said I would never, ever run one! I’m now up to number five and wondering which one to do next!

I was encouraged to become a LiRF in 2018 and particularly enjoy leading the Beginner and Improver groups, watching them “get the bug”!  I’ve also recently become involved with a Learn to Run group, which I would love to do again as it’s so rewarding to see people achieving something they didn’t think they could.

In my own experience, whilst racing and meeting challenges is both mentally and physically uplifting, I also really enjoy running with the lovely friends I have made with the club and want to share this experience by encouraging people to come and experience the same.

Viv Smith

LIRF

I started running in 2012 when I did a couple of 5k race for life races to see if I could run and to keep fit, but my running journey really started when I joined the BHR Tuesday group in 2014. My first week at the club was running up a hill which I said (repeatedly) I couldn’t do and after lots of encouragement I managed it! But this didn’t put me off as I came back every week to see how far I could get without stopping. Since joining I have run a  few 10k’s and half marathons. After this I said I wanted to try and run a marathon, so I ran the Brighton Marathon in 2017. This was meant to be my only one, however I have now achieved 4! I love running as it makes me feel great and everyone at the club are so friendly.

I completed my LiRF course in August 2019 to help and give something back to the club for all the encouragement and support I’ve had over the years and hope to do the same to others along the way.

Stuart Condie 

UK Athletics L2 

First started running at school in cross country; won South London Schools and London Schools team events and did 800m to reasonable level. Then nothing much (other than beer women and football) till I joined BHR in 1993. Been a qualified coach since 2000 and am currently on the Local Coach Development Programme. Also elected as Regional Councillor for England Athletics and strong armed onto the Sussex Network.bIn competitions I’ve done most running events from 60m indoor sprint to the marathon (never again!) with both BHR and HHH for track events. I hold several M40 and M50 HHH club records for sprint events, got a UK ranking of 15 in 2007/8 for M50 sprints, and an SGP ranking of 6th over 2010-13. Am now concentrating on 5m/10k/XC type events.

Angie Bower

CIRF

I joined BHR back in 2010 along with my daughters who shortly afterwards moved away and left the club. My husband declared that now I was going to the club alone, I would never keep it up! Ten years on, 3 marathons, 11 half- marathons and a few fun runs later, I am still here. 

After retiring from teaching, I qualified as a coach, first as a LiRF and then more recently as a CiRF. 

I love encouraging others to perform to the very best of their ability and to enjoy the many benefits that running offers: physically, mentally and socially. I am still running at 63 years old and loving it!

Liz Cooper

UK Athletics L2

I was introduced to running around sixteen years to add to my then current sporting interests of netball, tennis and cycling.  I only started to take running more seriouslywhen I was challenged to compete in my first half marathon in Stroud by a friend, who is now my husband!!  I then moved to Sussex and became a member of BHR and loved the support, encouragement and friendly nature of the club.  I have competed in races up to marathon distance and became a coach around eight years ago and love seeing the progress people can make with a little encouragement and self belief.  In 2011, I started the daytime running group for the club which continues to go from strength to strength and in 2014 became the Head Coach.  

Helen Pratt

LIRF

2010 ... The 1st Brighton marathon . I entered it with no intention of running it . I did it and managed to run some of it. This was enough to get the bug ! That September I joined Burgess Hill runners . A wonderful, friendly , encouraging running club, who cheer on and encourage all abilities ..from the fastest to the slowest . I have since run 4 marathons and several halves , 10k etc . I dont find it easy but love the sense of achievement and challenge. I have been a LiRF for 2 years helping with the Tuesday group and now the Wednesday groups . It Is great to see how people develop their running . It is lovely to see those who , when the start say " I can't do it " after a while get up that big hill . Or even cross the finishing line at the end of an event .

Kim Gow

CIRF

I joined BHR when it was a very small club, there were about 20 of us having been running previously with a couple of friends. I have since seen it grow to the huge welcoming, inspirational, diverse and friendly group we are today.

I was asked to become a coach when I went part time as a teacher in 2015. More recently I took a further qualification to become a CIRF. I have run two marathons, London and Beachy Head but find that shorter and hopefully faster courses are more my thing. I have run countless 10K’s, park runs 5K round the Olympic park and the mile on the track at K2. 

I enjoy running and the benefits it gives me both physically, mentally, emotionally and socially. It’s a great feeling to coach others encouraging them to push themselves to things they never thought possible.

Di Delderfield

LIRF / Walking Group

I’d watched many London Marathons on TV and felt inspired by the achievements of the runners. My first race was the Burgess Hill ¼ Marathon, in 1995 at the age of 39. A work friend was a Burgess Hill Runner and he told me to run with people from the club.  I couldn’t keep up with them but they cheered me on as the course looped around. Because of how good that made me feel, I thought I would go along to a club night. They made me feel like a valued member of the club from Day 1. I’m proud to say that our club has the same principles today. As for marathons, I did my first one in the Year 2000, not as soon as I’d hoped, but to date I have done 34. I think every runner has a marathon in them, only you can decide whether you want to achieve that goal. It does change your life and I know it changed mine. BHR also changed my life, I have many wonderful friends and I met my husband there. I wanted to give something back to the club, so I trained to be a LiRF and with Jan Lavis started the Beginners Group. One of the best things I have ever done. It is very satisfying to see people grow through running.  Our beginners have become good friends too.  Life is sweet.

Jean Leak

LIRF

I started running in 2012 just it improve fitness, but soon the running bug took over and I entered my first half marathon. After successfully completing this race I decided I needed to learn more about running and eventually plucked up the courage to join BHRs in 2013. With my knowledge as a swimming teacher and coach I know how important good training and technique is and therefore deciding to take my running further to help and encourage others. I recently took my LIRF and  have started leading groups of all abilities during Tuesday and Wednesday sessions.

A person walking down a dirt road  Description automatically generated

Oliver Day

CIRF

Running was something that I saw other people doing and wished that I could do. My sister was into running and it was when she ran the London Marathon that I was inspired to perhaps give it a go. My journey started slowly as a New Year’s resolution in 2007. At that time there was no ‘couch to 5k’ program and my start involved old trainers, jogging bottoms and a top. At first I struggled to run around the block, stop-starting as I made it through that 1km distance. I persevered for the first three months, slowly managing to run the 1km distance and then slowly increasing the distance. I stuck to a rigid routine, running the same three nights every week. Slowly I increased my distance up to 5km, using several routes around the town, clockwise and anti-clockwise to break up the routine. It was sometime during the fourth month of running that it slowly took hold of my life. It dawned on me that I was now a runner and it was not so much about how far I could run but just how long it would take me. I had started to really enjoy this new hobby and even started to run at weekends.

I’ve learnt a lot through my own experience and through listening to others. I get a lot of enjoyment trying out new running routes and through keeping training sessions interesting and relevant. It is through enjoyment that I try and impart my training methods. I feel we learn best when we train happy.

Keith Brown Profile Picture

Keith Brown

LIRF

I joined BHR in January 2015 with the ambition of getting a bit fitter.  Having been a tennis player all my life (and still coaching regularly at local clubs and schools) I wanted to get into running but didn’t know where to start.  The club has been fantastic in helping me develop in to a confident runner and offering advice whenever it is needed. 

In the two years that I have been a member I have now joined the Parkrun 50 club, completed many 10k runs, many of the WSFRL races for the club and 5 half marathons in 2016 in cities such as Belfast and Manchester.  My times are improving constantly and I have the club to thank for my continued motivation and love of the sport.

I completed the LIRF course in October 2016 as I want to help out at the club and give something back for everyone that has helped me.   I also look forward to using the coaching skills I possess from tennis and applying them to groups of runners.

Claire Giles Profile Picture

Claire Giles

LIRF

I started running in 2010 that was the Sports Relief 10k never run before - well except in 2007 Race for Life and that was a walk/ little jog after knee op. 

Since then I've never looked back - running is part of my life, and has helped me along the way with personal reasons etc.. it makes me feel so good, love the feeling, the friends I have met along the way, the races I have run, and the collection of bling I have :)

I am involved in Brighton & Hove parkrun I'm part of the Core Team there - again I'm addicted to that, and Saturdays aren't the same without parkrun :)

I am a Personal Trainer, Selfie extraordinaire! (Always taking running pics;) )Zumba Instructor, I work at Heights health & fitness as an Instructor & am involved in their social media! 

I have run many 5ks, 10ks, Half Marathons, Three Marathons the fourth next year 2018, one Ultra, Second this year 2017, and many more to come ...

William Whitehead

LIRF

TBC

Mark Nicholls

LIRF

TBC

Phil Latham

LIRF

TBC