Mandy Waldon
Club Runner since 2007
Bio: I started running at University in Brighton as it was cheap and very flat along the sea front! I ran my first half marathon in Reading in 1996 encouraged and supported every step of the way by June (another run leader). I have run many races over the years and still get the same buzz as I always have. I love the sense of freedom running gives me, the chance to explore new places and to feel strong physically (and mentally!).
Quote: It doesn’t get easier you just get stronger
Simon Hodkin
Club runner since 2012, competitive runner since 2007.
Bio: I got into running to help me through a bad time in my life. Now it’s among the best things I do in my life. I’m continually seeking PBs (personal bests), before I get too old to get any more. Glad to give something back to the Hares by becoming a Run Leader. I was once a Fencing Leader. (I’ve heard all the jokes thanks). Have won more medals running than fencing though.
Quote: Never trust how you feel in the first mile
Andy Davy
Club runner since Jan 2018
Bio: I started running in 2014 with some friends from work and ended up running a half marathon later the same year which is when I got hooked! Since then I have run several half marathons as well as London Marathon and a couple of ultra-distance events. What I really enjoy is getting out in the countryside and exploring, taking in the view at the top of a hill, and of course running with friends from the Hares! Time out from the daily grind! I’m normally found out and about on a Sunday morning, map in hand, getting muddy and looking for new routes.
Quote: “That’s not a hill!”
Brian Billington
Club Runner since 2014
Bio: Started running after having to retire from national league hockey in 2012 , Got into running though parkrun and now has run over 80 different parkrun locations and more than 300 runs, Has no issue with getting caked in mud so cross country is his preferred surface to run on , Can also be found on a bike.
Quote: If you find me passed out at the finish line … stop my Garmin for me!
Ami Taylor
Club Runner since April 2022
Bio: I have loved running since school and held various sports leadership roles in my teens. In my twenties I branched out into cycling to support some running injuries and found I loved triathlon and open water swimming too. I much prefer trail running, I love exploring new places, seeing nature, mud and also, my old injuries prefer it!
More recently I have found that the only way to keep running is to take my daughter with me in the buggy, so she frequents Parkruns and Hungerford High Street with me, while I get the peace of a long run to myself on Sundays and of course the Club run on a Tuesday!
Caroline Bowyer
Club Runner since 2015
Bio: I never enjoyed running at school and only started to lose weight for my brother’s wedding! But now if I stopped I’d really miss that great feeling you get AFTER a run (never beforehand – like most people I have to arrange to go with someone otherwise I’d talk myself out it!). What I really appreciate about being part of a club is having a group of lovely people to run with and finding new places to run. My OS Map App is my favourite piece of running kit to find new routes (not always paying great enough attention to the gradient lines – so be warned!). I relatively recently started open water swimming and once in a while I try a triathlon.
You’ll find me in very colourful running leggings or coveting other people’s colourful running leggings.
Quote: We’ll be pleased we went!