People

Paul discovered running late — he was 54 when he laced up for the first time in 2019 — so he knows first-hand that it's never too late to find out what you're capable of. That belief shapes how he sees the club.

Since then he has tried nearly everything the sport offers: road, track and cross country, from 800m to the marathon. He picked up age-category wins in both the CC6 and HRRL series this season, and last year was honoured to receive an England Masters vest at Manchester marathon. But the running he values most happens between races — weekend miles through the Winchester countryside with clubmates, and Saturday parkruns, where he'll volunteer as happily as he'll run.

As Chair, Paul's ambition is simple: a club that succeeds at every discipline and every level, and that genuinely welcomes everyone — from those running their first social 5k to the most competitive athletes, across all ages and abilities.

Cathy started running at the age of 48, when she retired from a career in the City. She always thought her Dad — who still runs competitively at 86 — was mad, getting up early and running in all weathers, but now she's exactly the same. Cathy runs all distances from 5k to marathon and is chasing a sub-3:30. She particularly enjoys racing for the club in the Hampshire Road Race League and loves the support and camaraderie that WRC has in abundance. She believes passionately that everyone can run, and that it's never too late to start. Cathy lives in Ropley with three horses and two dogs, and has recently started studying modern history.

Bruce started club running after he moved to Winchester, looking for coaching and competition to make running more interesting and more fulfilling. That was many years ago — many years of interesting, fulfilling running, with great friendships, shared club, team and individual successes, and support when challenges sadly arise. The club, its coaching and his friends have supported his running from 10k and half marathons through to marathons and ultras; there is always someone to help, guide, console or celebrate with.

He particularly enjoys his long-distance challenges: the winding trails and paths, the changeable weather, the varying terrain, the constant adventure — living a different life, if only briefly. Also very high up his priorities are his family, and his work as a chartered financial planner helping people to plan, grow and protect their wealth and financial wellbeing. As club treasurer, Bruce looks after the club's finances so it can meet its objectives.

Sam rediscovered running when her children joined a local club some 13 years ago. She immediately caught the bug and entered the Great South Run. Happy not only to finish it but to do so in a reasonable time, she decided to take the plunge and join a club too.

Sam has run all distances from 1500m up to the marathon and beyond, but has a special place in her heart for cross country, and can always be found in the mud through the winter months. Relays are something of a speciality, and she will travel far and wide for the excitement of a good relay race — especially if there is potential for a masters team win.

Although running is an individual sport, the value of community has been important for Sam. She has helped manage the Welsh Castles team and was, until recently, road relays manager for women. Away from running, Sam has worked for over 30 years in the NHS, mainly with children and families. Safeguarding has always been of paramount importance in her work, and that experience supports her as club welfare officer.

Matt is an enthusiastic endurance runner, although not necessarily a fast one. He has only recently discovered the sense of camaraderie and support that comes with club running. Matt doesn't compete as often as he might like but thoroughly enjoys the challenge when he does. His favourite distances are half and full marathons on road or trail, and he has also competed in a few ultra-distance trail races and is eager to do more. Matt is too scarred by childhood experiences to consider cross country or track, so don't even ask. He looks after the club's website and membership process, and lives in Winchester with his wife and teenage son, running his own security consulting business from a glorified shed at the bottom of the garden.

Tamsin has run in some shape or form for most of her life, save for a brief reprieve during university years when she thought she had found better things to do. Realising she was wrong, she took it up again and went on to run most distances, in later years everything from 5k to the marathon — although she has been known to suffer a few longer races. Tamsin runs for the love of it and for how it makes her feel, mentally and physically; being outdoors is her favourite part. She wants this running club to be a safe place for anyone of any ability to join up with friends and enjoy the journey of training together.

Caroline started running in 1998, when she bet her Dad she could beat his time at the Stroud Half Marathon — she did, just. She has continued running on and off ever since, with a couple of breaks for children. Caroline runs for fun, fitness and camaraderie, with a sprinkling of friendly competition. She will run any distance from 5k to marathon, particularly enjoying racing in the local road race league, especially if there is a chance of a team win. She prefers to spend her weekly running hours out on the trails, with obligatory coffee and cake stops. Caroline would like the world to know what an inclusive, friendly and supportive club this is, by sharing all that we do on our social platforms.

Nick is one of the club's two lead coaches, with over 25 years of coaching experience from beginners through to Olympians and a UKA level 4 endurance coaching qualification. He sits on the committee as coaching representative alongside Andy Parkinson, giving the coaching team a voice in how the club is run. Read more about Nick's coaching on our coaches page.

Andy is one of the club's two lead coaches, bringing over 27 years of coaching experience and an MSc in Sport & Exercise Psychology to how the club trains. He sits on the committee as coaching representative alongside Nick Anderson, giving the coaching team a voice in how the club is run. Read more about Andy's coaching on our coaches page.

Lara, while not a runner herself, is mum to one of our junior runners and has been involved with the junior training group for the past seven years. As Junior Representative on the committee, she represents the views and needs of our junior members and their parents, and is the first port of call for anything junior related. Lara is a primary school teacher and lives in Winchester with her husband, two sons and an ageing Labrador.

Colin ran in his youth for a local club and, after a hiatus, returned to running in his twenties when he realised that despite not even being the best runner in his family it was probably still the sport for him. When injury allows he runs any distance from 5k upwards, has dabbled in the odd marathon on road or trail, and harbours an ambition to go further. The temptation of an empty club record book even got him back on the track in recent years. Trail and mud are Colin's favourite places to run, but he also competes on the road. Rarely found at the front of the pack, he loves how running lets you set your own goals while being part of a group that supports you in achieving them. As Senior and Masters Representative, Colin represents the views of the club's senior and masters members on the committee — separate from his role as one of our junior coaches, which he does alongside it rather than because of it. He also helps organise the annual trip to the Welsh Castles Relay — sorting out logistics, squeezing in a run, and driving athletes around accompanied by what is frankly the best Spotify playlist. Colin works in IT and lives with his family in Eastleigh.