Jason Oakley, Chairman, Run Leader
Email: chairman@verwoodrunners.co.uk
Running for how long: Since 2013
How did you get into running: After giving up the gym and then not really doing anything I thought i’d try the C25k program a try and haven’t looked back
What’s your best experience of running so far: The Amsterdam half marathon a brilliant experience and Verwood runners C25k course it’s great seeing everybody’s achievements and how well they all do. It’s amazing what you can in do when you put your mind to it.
What type of music do you run too: none i like to listen to LBC if i’m on my own (a little weird I know)
What do you get up to on a typical weekend: Parkrun at Moors Valley or a bit of Parkrun Tourism and i’m also on the core team for Moors Valley Juniors on a Sunday so an early start
What’s the best thing about Verwood Runners: the support, the encouragement to try things (some would say peer pressure), the camaraderie and friends i’ve made along the way
Give one unusual fact about yourself: i’ve appeared on Top Gear with Jeremy Clarkson Richard Hammond, James May and the star in the reasonably priced car was Vinnie Jones
Jeremy Clarkson made me sit in a Ford KA and then referred to me and said “it looks like a man in a skirt”
What makes you laugh: Michael Mcintyre, and some of the comments on this page
Nick Inge, Vice Chairman/ Hon. Treasurer, Run Leader
Email: treasurer@verwoodrunners.co.uk
Running for how long: Since 2013
How did you get into running: I thought my wife doing couch to 5k would be easy so tried 1k myself and nearly passed out, and so it started..
What’s your best experience of running so far: The runs have been great but it’s really the people i’ve met on the way that have made it so rewarding
What type of music do you run too:I listen to a wide variety of running tunes from Lionel Ritchie to the Rocky training montage !
What do you get up to on a typical weekend: Parkrun occasionally (most people have run more than me !) long run on one of the days and time with the family and my animals.
What’s the best thing about Verwood Runners: It caters for all abilities whether starting up or training for big events, with fantastic encouragement from all – we have something very special
Give one unusual fact about yourself:My lucky number is 111, I see it everyday and even my kids now look out for it as if they think it’s a bit wierd. Haven’t had it as a race bib number yet though and my nearest is 2111!!.
What makes you laugh: Most things but especially my running photos
Tracey Smith, Secretary, Run Leader
Email: secretary@verwoodrunners.co.uk
Running for how long: Since March 2017 when I signed up for Couch 2 5K with Verwood Runners.
How did you get into running: My daughter took part in a Pretty Muddy 5K in 2016 and then challenged me to join her the following year. I took up the gauntlet (albeit 9 months after she initially challenged me) and the rest is history.
What's your best experience of running so far: Too many to choose from but my first marathon in 2023 in Manchester is definitely up there together with London Landmarks half marathon which I have been fortunate enough to run twice.
What type of music do you run too: I rarely do these days, but if I do it’s very varied and probably consists of more 80’s hits than anything else
What do you get up to on a typical weekend: Parkrun most Saturdays, volunteering at junior parkrun some Sundays, races (try to enter one a month) and general family stuff
What's the best thing about Verwood Runners: Verwood Runners is pretty unique in their camaraderie, encouragement and support for everyone - this is pretty evident at events we attend when we wait until the final runner is back
Give one unusual fact about yourself: I was one of a few chosen pupils at my school to plant a tree in the New Forest for the Queen’s Silver Jubilee in 1977
What makes you laugh:
Lots of things - I am usually seen with a smile on my face - most of the runs I have taken part in have resulted in hysterical laughter with my friends, so I suppose the answer is my friends!
Nicola Buckwell, Welfare Officer
Email: welfare@verwoodrunners.co.uk
Running for how long: Since 2019
How did you get into running: I lost 3st and thought starting an activity would help maintain that.
What’s your best experience of running so far: Completing the Edinburgh ultra, it was a massive challenge and very tough, but I loved it
What type of music do you run too: I listen to a very eclectic taste, so don’t really have a favourite to run to.
What do you get up to on a typical weekend: My weekends are time with my family and parkrun on a Saturday morning when not working.
What’s the best thing about Verwood Runners: The people, I have made some amazing friends and most of them get my sense of humour now 😉
Give one unusual fact about yourself: I love a challenge and a few years ago did a 15,000ft skydive and white water rafting raising £3000 for CLIC Sargent
What makes you laugh: Silliness, I have a very odd sense of humour, I blame years of my dads jokes!
Pete Jones, Run Leader
Running for how long: Since 2016 (Cycling used to be my forte but i’ve converted!)
How did you get into running: Parkruns then i moved to Verwood and went to Verwood runners and started doing lots more miles!
What’s your best experience of running so far: Those parkrun PBs when you have everyone around you cheering you on
What type of music do you run too: I don’t run to music that often, but if i do it’s usually chilled slow music if i’m doing a long run on my own.
What do you get up to on a typical weekend: There will always be a run involved! Apart from that usually seeing family and friends
What’s the best thing about Verwood Runners: The support and the laughs along the way!
Give one Unusual fact about yourself: I’ve done two tough mudders and loved every minute of them!
What makes you laugh: running photos… i very rarely have a decent one!
Chris O'Brien, Coaching
Running for how long: Since August 2009
How did you get into running: Training for a charity 10k across Salisbury Plain as I realised I wasn’t going to be fit enough to run around with my soon to be born twins as they grew up.
What’s your best experience of running so far: Endure24 is always a blast. Exhausting and mentally tough, but a fantastic (and surreal at times) experience. My fastest best experience was my 02:59:04 marathon in 2017.
What type of music do you run too: None. I like to listen to the rhythm of my running and take in my environment
What do you get up to on a typical weekend: Taxiing the kids to football and athletics; carrying out running assessments and personalised one to one movement and run training; oh, and the odd race when I can fit them in
What’s the best thing about Verwood Runners: The community. Having seen it grow to the current size and diversity is fantastic. It really is for all abilities and all paces.
Give one Unusual fact about yourself: In 2009 I was an overweight, unfit ex-smoker that couldn’t run from one lamppost to the next. I now have a number of podium places, lots of top 10 finishes and a sub-3hr marathon to be proud of. If I can do it, anyone can!
What makes you laugh: When my kids laugh – it’s infectious.
Megan Moody, Memberships, Run Leader
Running for how long: Since 2015 on and off
How did you get into running: I was hoping to improve my fitness and lose weight. Started doing park runs at uni and Race for Life in 2013.
What’s your best experience of running so far: Larmer 20 – a tough personal challenge, but a beautiful run with the best VR support crew 💜
What type of music do you run too: I don’t tend to run with music, prefer to chat to other runners, take in the surroundings or encourage Archie (my doggo).
What do you get up to on a typical weekend: Running events or park run when I can, dog walks, and seeing family and friends (often involving gin and cake😂).
What’s the best thing about Verwood Runners: The friendly, supportive running community. Regardless of pace, if you’re experienced or a beginner, or anywhere in between – everyone is cheered on
Give one unusual fact about yourself: I have a black tag in Taekwondo
What makes you laugh: I’m usually smiling and laughing
Viv Mason, Merchandising, Run Leader
Email: sales@verwoodrunners.co.uk
Running for how long: Since 2015
How did you get into running: I started off by doing the C25k with some friends but they gave up after 3 weeks so finished the course with my husband Greg. We graduated the week before the first park run at Moors Valley.
What’s your best experience of running so far: I have many achievements but I think the one that stands out is doing marathon distance last April. I ran to raise money for charity as my mum had just been diagnosed with breast cancer. She’s all clear now but it was a very emotional run. Lots of mind battles on that one. More recently running with Verwood Runners I’ve made so many new friends it’s just awesome.
What type of music do you run too: if I’m out on my own it has to be rock the heavier the better. But if running with others conversation is all I need.
What do you get up to on a typical weekend: catching up on chores, cleaning out our 9 rescue guinea pigs, pottering in the garden, DIY or some sort of running event.
What’s the best thing about Verwood Runners: the support and encouragement, no matter how long it takes you to finish a run they are always there at the end.
Give one unusual fact about yourself: hmm when I was 7 we did Snow White in Ringwood carnival and I was Dopey. It was the only year the evening got cancelled because of the weather and I never got to use my lamp. It was a cool lamp.
What makes you laugh: friends, funny things oh and me I laugh at myself a lot.