OKEHAMPTON RUNNING CLUB COACHES
ANDY VALLANCE, Andy is a keen runner who over the last 10 years has run 13 full marathons and numerous other events. His first marathon was the ‘LONDON MARATHON’ in 1999 where he finished in 3hrs 39mins. He has gone on to run other marathons in NEW YORK, CARDIFF, NOTTINGHAM, NEW FOREST, GLOUCESTER and NEWTON ABBOT and has a personal best of 2hrs 47mins. His preferred event is off road running with Dartmoor so close by and his only wins have been at 2 local events the ‘STICKLEPATH HORSESHOE RUN’ 2006 and the ‘CAWSAND HILL RACE’ 2007. Other sporting achievements are riding ‘LANDS END to JOHN O GROATS’ in 2007 it took him 7 days and did it again in 2009 in under 4 days, also recently climbed ‘MOUNT KILIMANJARO.
GAVIN PUNCHARD, Gavin like many runner started in his mid 30’s realizing that middle age spread was looming and that it was a excellent way of relaxing, taking his mind off work and to meet up with a great group of people. What started as jogging 2 or 3 times a week, often short distances and mainly off road has developed over the years to running 5 GRIZZLY’S, numerous 10K and half marathons. Completing sub 40 minute 10k’s and 90 minute half marathons and a 2hr 58mins marathon time.
BRYAN FRIEND, Bryan has been running for the past 25 years in that time he has completed over 50 half marathons and 7 full marathons. Some of the half marathons he has run include ‘PLYMOUTH, EXETER, TORBAY, THE RUBY RUN and BIDEFORD where his personal best is 1 hr 23min. His marathons include NEW YORK, CARDIFF, NOTTINGHAM, NEW FOREST, NEWTON ABBOT and LONDON. Bryan has also spent the years running off road in such events as ‘THE GRIZZLY, EXE TO AXE, AUTUMN TRAIL, SOURTON SCRAMBLE, CAWSAND HILL RACE and the STICKLEPATH HORSESHOE RUN.
ROGER VOADEN, Roger started running in 2005 after retiring from 22 years of football. His first competitive run was the ‘RUBY RUN’ in which he completed in a good time and that was it he was hooked. He has now gone on to complete 10ks races, 10 milers, ½ marathons, marathons and even 3 ULTRA MARATHONS. He has some very competitive personal best which can be seen on the results page. He goes on to say ‘I have made many friends and think it’s a wonderful way to meet people. I think it’s a great that from a small group of us running on a Thursday night, it should lead to a successful and friendly running club, where we can share our experience and knowledge to encourage others to either take part in organised runs or simply just to keep fit’
KATY GRAVES. Katy has run since the age of 10 when she ran for her primary school and has been running ever since to keep fit. She has run for Crawley Athletic Club and the Tiverton Harriers and is a coach for the Womens Running Network in Okehampton. As a primary school teacher she has established a group cross country club at school and enjoys getting the children into running. She competed in her first Half Marathon last year in the Ruby Run and has run in other events such as the Sourton Scramble, Tavy 7, Dornafield 10k and the Santa Christmas Pudding Run where she dressed up as Santa! Her aim to run: so she can eat cake and chocolate and drink wine!!!
PHILIPPA ALLOM. Philippa discovered the joys of running when she hit 40. The bug bit hard and it became a passion - entering more than 55 races in the last 6 years. Her favorite event is the half marathon and all off road events including the Grizzly, Drogo 10, Haytor Heller and The Bicton Blister. Philippa is keen to encourage people to take up running and enjoy all the benefits - it's never too late to start. She enjoys helping people to train for and enter events.
RACHEL SHORT has been running since she was a teenager, she started running because her then boyfriend had signed up for the Plymouth marathon and refused to do any proper training. She kept going, no idea what happened to him !
Rachel has run marathons in London, Paris, Boston, along the Devon coast path and as part of a team of firemen, as well as lots of shorter and longer distances. She cycles and swims as well but running is the only thing which she thinks of as a real sport.
Since leaving London she has changed from a road runner to an off road Dartmoor hill runner but still sometimes wants a nice long flat bit of road to run along.
She has always used running as a de-stressing activity away from her hectic working life and gets very cross if she can’t find time to run.
Rachel initially joined SWRR in Exeter, but was very pleased when ORC started up much nearer home , and turned out to be such a friendly and well organised group, so she switched allegiance pretty quickly.
She is sure all those sprint training sessions and Kenyan hills have done her some good…. Haven’t they ?
