Meet The Volunteers
Jez Heard
I’m Jez! I'm proud to be a member of the team, and lead on the Front Desk and ticketing. I was awarded TRC Volunteer of the Year for 2022.
I’ve been running for over 40 years now and have also coached ‘non-runners’ to help get them started. I have volunteered for many ‘health related’ charities and joined @parkrunuk three years as I could see the importance of exercise for both physical and mental health.
This became much more important with the pandemic, and I joined TRC last Spring as a volunteer to help more ‘non-runners’ look after their health. I spent most of my professional career as a trainer and coach, often developing people through beliefs and attitude.
Andrew Simms
I’m Andrew and professionally, I run campaigns for environmental and economic justice issues. I also write the occasional book.
You’ll sometimes see me on Monday night, more often at the Wednesday social run and usually on the Sunday long run (my favourite outing) that leaves from the track each week at 9am. I co-edit the Herne Hill magazine, ‘Red & Black’, so if you have a story to tell about your own experience let me know, I’d love to hear it!
I ran a bit as kid for Chelmsford AC, and then did nothing for… decades. It was a friend back in 2012 telling me about ‘this thing called Parkrun’, that broke the spell of torpor and got me running again. I’ll now will happily attempt any distance from 400m to a marathon.
Annes Stevens
I'm Annes and at TRC I help lead the Greatest group every Monday... I mean the Green group! I took up running when I first started work in an attempt to combat sitting at a desk all day and I’ll be honest, at the start, I thought it was a pretty awful activity! But I stuck with it, and when work brought me to London I thought joining a club would be a good way to meet people. I’ve now been a member of Herne Hill Harriers for 9 years and I love the different running discipline it’s introduced me to. My personal favourite is cross country, and on the track I like the 1500m.
At weekends, if I’m not running around the common then you might see me pedalling round Richmond Park. I enjoy a good bike packing trip too. For my day job I make cartoons. Someone’s gotta do it.
Jas Dhalley
I'm Jas and I am a qualified Strength & Conditioning coach. Pre-TRC, I used to run online classes during lockdown to help keep people exercising for their mental and physical health.
I hosted my first Strength & Conditioning class for TRC in mid-February 2023, and now lead classes every Thursday from 19:30 in the studio at the track.
I’m also involved in various other local community projects which are free and welcoming to everyone just like Tooting Run Club. I am also a @parkrun ambassador and I help setup new Parkruns and liaise with the local councils on a regular basis as part of this role.
Gareth Briggs
Hi, I’m Gareth, and I lead the Monday night sessions on Tooting Common! I’ve been with TRC since the very beginning, running with the club from its earliest sessions. Though I’ve been running (slowly!) for over a decade, my coaching journey only recently began, thanks to TRC sponsoring me through my qualifications and training.
My coaching style focuses on keeping things “low and slow,” ensuring the sessions work for everyone, no matter their pace. I also lead the analysis and processing of the results for TRC’s handicap races and help marshal the races.
In recent years, I’ve taken on my first marathons in London and València. When I’m not running, you’ll find me cycling, swimming, or sometimes doing all three—having completed a few triathlons. Outside of sport, I’m a project manager, so I’m all about planning, organising, and making things happen.
Andrew Thompson
I’m Andrew, I currently work as an IoT solutions provider. However, I previously had an 18 year career in the army, so I’m used to (extreme) fitness, teamwork and sense of belonging. Hence I’m passionate about TRC and the role it plays in our local community.
I’m a Leadership in Fitness, English Athletics runing coach. You’ll sometimes see me covering on Monday nights, the occasional Wednesday social run, Parkrun tourism, and leading and Sunday long trail runs.
I still run a couple of marathons a year, hunting that sub 3 hour. I can bang out a 1 hour 25 mins half marathon on a good day and get annoyed if my Parkrun is over 20 mins. Yes, I’m very competitive! Come and find me on Strava, I’m always keen to pass on years of running trial and error Strava: https://strava.app.link/uJKVSdjrcO
Amar Sudra
I’m Amar, and I've been a proud member of our running family since the club was just six months old! Each week, I have the pleasure of leading and motivating our runners, supporting everyone to get moving—not just physically, but mentally, too. TRC has been an anchor in my life, helping me stay focused and bringing a positivity that impacts every aspect of my day-to-day.
With over two decades of running under my belt, I’ve tackled it all—from 5K races to completing the iconic London Marathon. I’ve also dipped my toes into the mud (literally!) with obstacle course races like Tough Mudder, Nuclear, and Spartan. These events add an adventurous twist to running, and they’re always a blast!
One of my biggest goals? To finish all six of the world’s major marathons: London, Berlin, Tokyo, Chicago, New York, and Boston. It’s a tall order, but with TRC’s support, I’m well on my way!
Outside of running, I’m also the club’s go-to organiser for social events. From Spooky Halloween trips to the London Dungeon to St. Patrick’s Day Guinness toasting, attending fireworks displays for Bonfire night, and the occasional post-run Nando's—you’ll find a message from me to get everyone together. These events help keep our club tight-knit, inclusive, and, most importantly, fun. At TRC, we’re not just running buddies; we’re a family, united by our love of running and community spirit. It’s amazing to watch friendships blossom along the way.
And here’s a fun fact about me: I’m pretty sure I love pizza almost as much as I love running.
Hey everyone, I’m Philipa! I can’t say running was always a passion of mine. In school, I only joined cross-country events to skip class, telling myself each finish would be my last. Somehow, that same mindset saw me through the 2016 10K Great South Run for Alzheimer’s Society and the 2019 @londonmarathon for VSO.
I stumbled upon TRC in the summer of 2022. But if I’m honest—and Eventbrite would back me up—I chickened out of attending my first interval session until the dead of winter. I still can’t explain why the dark, cold days drew me to the track, but I never looked back. I quickly saw progress in my pace, and for the first time, running became a social event—something I actually looked forward to.
After losing my job during Covid, I decided to pursue a career in the health and social care sector. I developed an interest in women’s health, and for my final year, I researched how the menstrual cycle might affect women’s running performance. Huge thanks to all the amazing women (and @runwithtahir!) who supported me in this—final grade pending, but I loved every moment of it. I couldn’t have done it without the fantastic TRC community!
To give back, I now help co-ordinate the Monday night coaches and write up their interval training plans. Just to be clear, I only write them up—I take no responsibility for the gruelling sessions which are set by our amazing coaches! They’re true heroes for the time and energy they dedicate to all of us.
I’m so proud to be part of TRC and we are definitely worthy winners of Club of the Year 2024! ❤
Philipa Worker
Sarah Way
Hi everyone, I’m Sarah (aka Way Way!). I’ve been a member of TRC since its second session back in 2022, and I run with the Green group on Mondays.
You’ll often catch me still chatting away at the track long after the session has ended! I also co-lead the Couch to 5k programme on Wednesdays, which I see as an essential part of what makes the club so inclusive. I also manage the TRC Twitter feed and am delighted to have been asked to sit on the TRC Board.
I’ll be the first to admit I wasn’t a sporty child, and I’m certainly not a sporty adult! However, like most people, I’m keen to stay on top of my fitness and wellbeing. I began running in 2017 after successfully completing a Couch to 5k programme. I soon became a regular at Tooting Parkrun, where I’d happily trundle along, doing my own thing week after week. Fast forward to today, and without fail, I always come across a fellow TRC member either running alongside me, cheering me on, or scanning my barcode. I feel like a bit of a celeb!
TRC has made me feel like an important part of a big family. We’re such a diverse group, and there’s nothing we love more than encouraging each other to reach our goals – whether it’s completing that first run without stopping or taking on an ultra-marathon. I believe every member of TRC is shown the same love and support, regardless of pace or ability. I may not be the fastest round the track, but I can always count on getting the loudest cheers and most encouragement. There’s a place for everyone here.
Wioletta Marzec-Supeł
Hi everyone, my name’s Wioletta! I started running with TRC in June 2023. I'm a pretty experienced runner, and have been running for around 9 years. And I absolutely love it!
I clearly remember my first session with TRC, one of the Midweek Social Runs. It was a lovely day with beautiful weather, perfect for embarking on my new adventure. After just a few kilometres, I remember feeling running alongside others was a whole new experience. I felt the energy, joy, and motivation that this shared activity brought us. Over time, I decided to expand my training and also joined track sessions and everything else TRC offered.
Late last year, @runwithtahir approached me to ask if I would be interested in becoming one of the run leaders for the Wednesday Social Run. This was a tremendous honour and a kind of culmination of my efforts and dedication. Now I have the opportunity to share my knowledge, motivate other runners, and inspire them to achieve better results.
It's amazing how running has changed my life. I've become more confident, healthier, and full of energy. The whole training process has given me immense satisfaction and joy. I'm thrilled to have had the chance to discover my passions and develop in this field. Now, I eagerly await the next training sessions to set new goals and surpass my own records. I can't wait to see what the future holds for me as a runner!'
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