Meet the Committee

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Hi all, I joined South Leeds Lakers in 2015 after meeting people at Cross Flatts Parkrun. I enjoyed the friendliness and vibe of the club and in 2016, when we became affiliated, I was asked to be Run Leader & then 'Run Co-ordinator'. I have seen us move from a bench outside Beeston Co-op, to the Community Centre to the Hunslet Nelson & have seen over 40 Run Leaders come & go. I have been on the committee since 2016 & although it's challenging we have achieved some fantastic results, seeing over 500 people through our doors.

In 2019 we successfully launched a Junior Section & I have trained as a 'Junior Assistant Coach'. We coach 40 children a week running, jumping & throwing. 

As Run Co-ordinator I assign the groups each week, I would love people to come and give me feedback as we can not improve if we don't know. Let's carry this club forward & enjoy our running.

Hello!  I'm Shelly, club secretary & you can get in touch with me for any matters relating to the running club, including membership queries. 

We are a free social running club but you have the option to register as a competitive athlete & affiliate to the club (this costs £17 per year which goes to England Athletics). 

I discovered my love for running whilst training for Tough Mudder in 2018 & joined Lakers in the spring of 2019. There's something so special about this club, the support is amazing & I have met some inspirational people that I now call friends. I enjoy trail running & cross-country & have recently ventured into the world of fell running. My proudest achievements to date are completing Manchester marathon & most recently the Yorkshireman half fell race. Although I'm generally a midpack runner, I like to push myself & enjoy a good race! I like to try out new races & enjoy adventures, new experiences and testing my limits!

I joined South Leeds Lakers in Oct 2022 & quickly made a lot of friends. The club has helped me to not only keep fit, but also expand my social circle & improve my mental health.

After doing a few 5k runs, I decided to join our coached 5-10k improver group, graduating at the Dewsbury 10k in Feb 23. In Sept 23 I completed the Great North Run, the biggest half marathon in the world! Raising nearly £800 for charity in the process.

In May 2023 I took the opportunity to join the committee as a Welfare Officer. I wanted to give something back to the club & help to look after the welfare & wellbeing of all members. If you have any questions or concerns about the club, or just want to say how Lakers can help you more, please feel free to contact me using the below email address. Alternatively you can speak to me in person at our Tuesday evening club nights.​

welfare.lakers@gmail.com

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I started on the Couch to 5K program with the Lakers in January 2018 - we ploughed on & completed it despite the beast from the east & graduated into the 5-10K transition. 

By the time I had completed my first 10K I was fully invested in the Lakers family. 

In 2020 I stepped forward to be a run leader but all courses were subsequently cancelled due to Covid-19, so I finally graduated as a run leader in April 2021. I often lead Couch to 5K groups which are really important & have seen some great Lakers graduate from it - which makes me feel proud to have been part of their journey. 

A year later in April 2022 I was elected Lakers Chair which is a great role to be in to help make a difference to the Lakers. To listen to others & steer the club in the direction its members want it to take.

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Hi, I'm Martin Lee & I joined South Leeds Lakers in May/June 2015, & having always run on my own I was surprised how quickly I settled into running with others.  Over the last 9 years, my running has improved no end & that’s all down to the variety of running groups available & running events on offer at our club. Whether that be social runs, meeting up at organised events like the Abbey Dash, Leeds 10k etc, or competing in the Winter Cross Country league, or summer veterans league, Park Run series, Couch to 5k, the Lakers have it all.

Over the last nine years, I’ve also got involved with the club away from the running & tried to give back where possible.  I've been on the executive committee at different times since 2015, taking on various roles such as, Chairperson, Governance secretary & Junior Representative.  It was during my position as Chair, that I started a Junior Lakers in 2019.  Where we now have a thriving junior section, who meet every Friday at 6pm at the John Charles Stadium. I'm part of a team of nine coaches, who all coach run, jump, & throw athletics to children aged 8-14 years.

I also take part in club fundraising & have been on the organising committee for the Bah Humbug 10k since its inception.  I was responsible for designing the course route, so any complaints then send them my way.  I was the race director in 2022 & after realising how much effort it takes to organise such a large event, I quickly handed this over in 2023.  I can usually be found organising things out on the course, during a cold & wet December, so I was hugely grateful for an electric bike last year.  I am also a run leader for the club & enjoy leading groups of runners of all abilities. I particularly like introducing new runners to our club & have previously led the clubs Couch to 5k, & 5-10k programmes.  This gives me enormous satisfaction, to see people nervously embark on a huge challenge, & over time with effort, determination & support they hit their target.