Our head coach, and Yorkshire legend, Rob, has been with the Harriers for over 40 years and has been running even longer.
He has participated in running events on all seven continents. He won the National Four Peaks team race. He was also awarded a Bronze medal at the World Masters Mountain Running Championships in Ireland. And another Bronze medal in Australia in the cross-country discipline.

It is also about helping the less fortunate, so he raised funds several times for the third Cancer Unit at the Manchester Hospital. He is very proud of this very worthy cause.
Rob oversees our training activities and trial events when he is not carrying out training sessions himself. You may also find him out on the moors hitting the trails.

Yorkshire lad, and former Endurance Leader in the British Army, Andy trained to become a Coach in Running Fitness in 2015.

With a  fantastic sense of humour and running knowledge,  Andy loves to inspire beginners and novices looking for improvement on their running skills.

When he’s not coaching you’re likely to see Andy up on Sutton Bank with his energetic young Spaniel, Henry, trotting ahead.

Duncan has been a Harriers member for 8 years now. He fell soon in love with the club (and it’s members) and was made men’s captain at the very beginning.

His contagious enthusiasm and eagerness to make things happen resulted also in him being elected as Club Chair.

Leader in Running Fitness

Helen has been running for over 16 years now. It all started with the 5k Race for Life 5k with some friends.

She is a keen fell runner who has represented GB in the World Masters Championships in Italy and Ireland.

She has started coaching club sessions and has been focusing on strength and conditioning workouts.

Joe is a lifelong runner who joined TaSH in 2023.

He’s happiest racing anything
offroad.

Jody has over 9 years experience as a Coach in Running Fitness.

He focuses currently on core and circuits workouts and enjoys road running.

Lorraine has been a member of the Thirsk and Sowerby Harriers since the 00’s. After being challenged by her brother to run her first 10k in Lincoln she’d caught the running bug so joined TaSH. The Harriers have certainly helped her to keep running!

She qualified as a Leader in Running Fitness in 2022 and completed her Coaching qualification in 2023. She is keen to help and encourage other runners through coaching whatever their goals are.

Lorraine likes running off road and you might see her running behind her running buddy Border Collie or fellow Harriers around Thirsk or up on the hills.

Leader in Running Fitness

Nigel joined Thirsk and Sowerby Harriers to keep fit in the early 1990s, after having played football, cricket and squash.

With the help of coaches and other members he was encouraged to enter monthly time trials, handicaps and many local races, eventually running all distances up to marathon.

In 2014 Nigel undertook a Running in Leadership course and now you’ll see him supporting the coaches by blowing a whistle, taking warm ups and encouraging other runners.

Liv has been running for over 10 years. In 2018 she won the North Yorkshire senior ladies cross-country league. She is passionate about sharing her love of running with others through coaching – bringing a fun energy to her sessions.

“I try not to complicate running but rather, take it back to basics. I like to focus on building good fitness, good form, good recovery and keeping it fun. A hard session will feel tough, but it’s important we enjoy it too.”

She is also an accomplished writer and poet, who balances her love for running and words.

You’ll likely find Paul on the fells or in front of a computer.

Richard took up running during the COVID lockdowns, and joined Harriers when he moved to Thirsk in 2022. He loves to help people develop, so chose to become a Leader in Running Fitness and share his love of running in 2024.

He’s unlikely to be found running on the road, as his favourite runs are exploring new parts of the countryside. He has competed in races from 5k’s up to Ultra distance, and one day he hopes to win one…

Richard thinks runs without hills are like fruitcake without cheese: Great, but with the potential to be so much better.

I started running to do the race for life & joined harriers a few years later in 2016. I remember coming into the gym at Thirsk school & being greeted by Marian. I came to training but didn’t do a time trial or enter a race for a few years cos I (stupidly) thought it was too scary, just for proper runners, not for me. I dabbled with running but it wasn’t my main exercise, I would maybe come to club once a week & do a parkrun a month. Although I did get round to the Harrogate League (inspired by the buffet?) I never made it to KFC as it clashed with my gym classes.

All that changed with COVID when running became not only my main source of exercise but basically my entire social life. I embraced the craziness of KFC & fell running, started wearing the most jazzy leggings available & joined the committee as a team captain.

I became a leader in running fitness in 2025. I like encouraging others especially if it allows me to shout

Sara didn’t start running until her late 40s but quickly go into the joy, freedom and health benefits it brings. After moving back to Yorkshire in 2021 she joined her first running club TASH and has love the inclusivity and friendliness of the club from day one.

Plus the running horizons it has provided by taking part and enjoying XC and fell races.

After taking early retirement in Feb 2025 she wanted to improve her knowledge of running and successful complete the Leadership in running and fitness.