Runner... Coach...
If I had to pick one word to describe me it would be a difficult choice between the two.
Who am I?
I am a fully qualified British Athletics Coach and former GB and England athlete.
I’ve finished in the top 20 of the London Marathon.
I’ve competed for Great Britain and England on track, road and cross country.
Now all the passion, commitment, knowledge and experience from competing for over 10 years at the highest level in GB, elite and international competitions is channelled into my coaching.
When did I start running?
I fell in love with running aged 11 years old at school sports day. Unexpectedly winning the 800ms.
Like all the best love stories there have been some highs (representing England at the 2002 Commonwealth Games). And some lows (getting injured during my last ever GB appearance in 2010).
Some times when we have drifted apart (giving up running during university to go partying). But we always got back together.
Moving to Cumbria has introduced me to the crazy world of Fell Running. Alongside challenging myself with seeing how far I can go in Ultras. But you will also still find me most weeks at my local parkrun testing myself over 5k or just enjoying running with friends.
So it’s a love affair that still endures to this day aged 53 years old (and counting).
“Have you run the London Marathon?”
The question everyone asks when you say you are a runner. And the answer is yes. Seven times in fact! From being competitive as an Elite Athlete to running with the masses with a Good For Age time.
My fastest London Marathon was in 2:37:39 to finish 16th in the Elite Women’s Race in 2009.
My slowest (so far) was 2025. Clocking 3:50:03 but still good enough to qualify again as Good For Age.
My most recent was 2026 improving my time from the previous year to finish in 3:48:11.
Each year somewhere around Canary Wharf at about 16 miles into the marathon I swear “never again!”. But nothing beats the London crowds cheering you on along the Embankment in those last two or three miles. So will I be there next year…. Let’s see….
What was my best race?
My major breakthrough came after the decision to step up in distance to the 10000ms. Defying expectations (including my own) to qualify for Team England and then go on to finish 6th in the Manchester Commonwealth Games 2002 in a new personal best. My first time competing in a major stadium in front of 35,000 people.
Representing Great Britain in the World Cross Country championships was another highlight. Alongside being part of the bronze medal winning GB team in the European Marathon Championships in 2010.
But I think one of my favourite performances was my Half Marathon personal best 72:36 to win the Great Eastern Half Marathon in 2008. The middle one in a hattrick of victories in that race from 2007 to 2009.
How did I get into Coaching?
Injured again as an athlete and feeling fed up it was perfect timing when an email dropped into my inbox from British Athletics to invite me onto their Elite Athlete to Coach course.
Now I am one of the leading Marathon coaches for masters runners aged 35 and beyond. I have coached numerous runners to represent England Masters. With over ten years experience as a full time coach and the author of Masters Running, the comprehensive guide to 5k, 10k and Half Marathon.
Alongside Running Jo my coaching experience includes roles as Great Britain Team Coach for the European and World Road Running Championships and numerous England Team competitions. Endurance Coach at Bath University for three years. In addition to leading the England Athletics Youth Talent Programme for endurance for the previous five years working with our best 16 to 18 year old athletes.
What do I love about coaching?
I love the challenge of finding the right balance for each individual runner and athlete between training hard, enjoyment and sense of achievement. The focus, determination and sense of fun which drove my athletics career is now directed into my coaching.
I am a self-confessed geek. I love stats and data. I love developing my technical knowledge and building my experience. In physiology, training principles, movement patterns, strength work and more. Talking to other coaches. Attending conferences, workshops and training courses. And reading extensively.
But most of all I love the privilege of sharing the passion, the running and the joy of the runners I coach. As a coach I always believe that anyone can run and everyone can love running. You just need the right motivation and inspiration.
What do I bring to coaching?
I bring all of my knowledge and experience as an elite athlete coupled with empathy and real-world understanding. Much of my international success came after the birth of my first child. Also whilst working part time. So I know what it takes to juggle life, family, work and training.
As a former elite athlete with ten years of genuine experience of performing and competing at GB, elite and international level, I know exactly how to train, target and peak for race day. I have a fundamental understanding of race strategies, pacing and how to translate training in effective performance on the day.
But most of all I bring fun, inspiration, confidence and self-belief to my coaching.
To find out more about my Personal Bests and running history visit Power of 10
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