Our Run Leaders

All of our run leaders are DBS-checked and follow established club safety protocols. Most also hold basic first aid training, and several are qualified in Leadership in Running Fitness (LiRF) — an England Athletics course designed to help leaders effectively support and guide runners of all levels.

Our run leaders are here to:

  • Keep you safe on every run

  • Introduce you to new routes

  • Offer advice on technique and form

  • Help you get the most out of your training

During group training sessions (such as speed or endurance workouts), dedicated run leaders are assigned to oversee each group. They ensure every session runs smoothly, safely, and inclusively — so you can focus on enjoying your training.
They’re also your main point of contact within the club for any questions or concerns.

Meet the run leader team:

  • Esther Dixon

    Head Coach, Fallows & Track Lead
    Esther loves to lead track and long runs, and is qualified in Leadership in Running Fitness and is undertaking her Coach qualification.

  • Russ Andrews

    Fallows & Impalas Lead
    Russ loves to lead speed endurance sessions, and is qualified in Leadership in Running Fitness.

  • Paula Heyes

    Brockets Lead
    Paula loves speed endurance sessions. She is also qualified in Leadership in Running Fitness.

  • Martin Scales

    Gazelles & Track Lead
    Martin's favourite sessions to lead are speed endurance and track.

  • Paula Sparks

    Muntjacs & 0-5k Lead
    Paula loves run leading the 0-5k group and speed endurance sessions for the muntjacs. She is also qualified in Leadership in Running Fitness.

  • Molly Davis

    Fallows Lead
    Molly's favourite runs to lead are Sunday long runs.

  • Chris Newton

    Roes Lead
    Chris' favourite session to lead is the 20:20 Out and Back.

  • Ally Brown

    Brockets & 0-5k Lead
    Ally's favourite sessions to lead are the 0-5k program and speed endurance sessions.

  • Esperanza Castro

    5k Circuit & Fallows Lead
    Esperanza loves leading speed endurance sessions and Sunday runs.

  • Lucy Crocker

    Gazelles Lead
    Lucy loves leading speed endurance sessions and has a degree in sports science.

  • Andrea Skidmore

    Impalas Lead
    Andrea's favourite sessions to lead are speed endurance, steady 5 miles and the 20-20 (out and back).

  • Carmien Gharbaoui

    0-5k Coach, Muntjacs & 0-5k Lead
    Carmien is in her element leading the Striders' 0-5k program. She is also a fully qualified personal trainer.

  • Jennifer Graham

    Muntjacs & PIRTR Lead
    Jen's favourite session to lead is the post injury return to running (PIRTR) and she also runs with the Muntjacs.

  • Jess Ives- Keeler

    Impalas Lead
    Jess' favourite sessions to lead are the endurance sessions, especially with the shorter efforts and the ladder session. She also has a degree in physiotherapy.

  • Alexsandro Meireles

    Gazelles Lead

  • Mohan Taylor

    Roes Lead
    Mohan’s favorite session type is intervals, a good mix of pushing ourselves, but with a small enough group to get to know each other (although if there too much chat, you should be in the next group up!)

  • Ben Ward

    Impalas Lead
    Ben is qualified in Leadership in Running Fitness.

    His favourite session is the 300m Group Shuttle Runs as it allows for a good session and a nice recovery chat!

  • Clarance Phillips

    Roes & Fallows Lead
    Clarance loves run leading at Striders for all different reasons.

  • Hannah Warman

    Roes Lead

  • Sarah Goodyear

    Muntjacs Lead
    Sarah's favourite training sessions to run lead are lamppost hills or the three hills challenge. She is also qualified in Leadership in Running Fitness.

  • Julie Kempson

    Muntjacs & PIRTR Lead
    Julie loves leading the PIRTR group and runs with Muntjacs. She is also qualified in Leadership in Running Fitness.

  • Tracy Bullot

    Fallows Lead
    Tracy's favourite sessions to lead are speed endurance and Sunday long runs. She is also qualified in Leadership in Running Fitness.

  • Matty Robinson

    Gazelles Lead
    Matty loves to lead speed endurance sessions.

  • Helen Moye

    Impalas Lead
    Helen loves leading Friday daytime runs.

  • Maxine Shackell

    Muntjacs Lead

    Max’s favourite sessions are 20:20 and  Aston Hills.

  • Tracy Plumpton

    Muntjacs Lead

    Tracy loves all sessions as they help to improve fitness and stamina. The intdrvals are great as they allow for a diverse group of speeds, even within the individual groups. The ethos of Striders is valuable as ‘no one ever gets left behind’. Everyone encourages and supports each other.

  • Steve Dennis

    Gazelles Lead

    Steve enjoys endurance & interval sessions as they really help to achieve your full potential.

  • Keith Dennis

    Impalas & Gazelles Lead

    Keith prefers to do speed endurance sessions.

  • Jim Whitehead

    Impalas Lead

    Jim loves to lead speed endurance sessions and loves a longer Sunday run.

  • Kevyn Hopkins Hall

    Impalas Lead

    Kevyn’s favourite sessions are the Friday or Sunday Trail runs. Though these aren't training sessions, I feel these really highlights everything great about the club. It is a social run where everyone is welcome, no-one is too slow or too fast, and it's a wonderful space to talk, have fun and really get to know the people around you, which can be harder in some of the efforts during the week, where you are pushing. 

  • Tanya Catton

    Muntjacs Lead

    Tanya’s favourite sessions are the interval sessions to lead. People can see how well they are progressing with these. I also like how we are all running together in one group and no one gets left behind.

  • Sarah Dennis

    Brockets Lead

    Sarah’s favourite sessions are the intervals. I like these because it helps those getting use to longer distances gradually and can be challenging.

  • Dave Mendonça

    Roes and Fallows Lead

    Dave’s favourite session to lead is speed endurance.

  • Philip Cook

    Roes & Fallows Lead

    Its the steady runs Philip enjoys the most, enjoying the social side of running with the Striders.

  • Callum Allcock-Green

    Gazelles Lead

    Callum’s favourite sessions are the speed endurance ones and the 20:20, I find they are the best to push yourself and really find a challenge. 

  • Richard Sutherland

    Roes & Fallows Lead

    Richard’s favourite session is any with hills because I just love hills. They are the best sessions to push you outside your comfort zone.

  • Adam Mead

    Roes Lead

    Adam’s fave session is Speed Endurance because it gives you a chance to push yourself a bit more each session with some real tangible results.

  • Neil McKinnon

    Impalas / Fallows Lead

    Neil loves the Wishbone Hills because it's a tough session but it always feels rewarding. “It's also one of the sessions that the club all do together so feels extra special”.

  • Chrissie Thomas

    Impalas Lead

    Chrissie’s favourite sessions are wishbone and lampposts hills so I can push myself a little more each time! I also love encouraging and helping others out!