Des

The Boss

Scottish international with marathon best of 2.19. Top-ranked master in 40s and 50s. 1985 - Over-40 category: Chicago Marathon 2nd; London Marathon 1st Brit (3rd overall). Still runs every day but no sign yet of returning to challenge his fellow 60-year-olds. Outside work, his energies are directed at reducing his golf handicap and improving his piano playing.

David

General Manager

David claims there's nothing he doesn't know about all things running-related. A qualified sports massage therapist, he was formerly the masseur at Tottenham Hotspur F.C., rubbing the firm thighs of Messrs. Ginola and Campbell. He competes for his club, London Heathside, from 800m on the track to cross-country and marathons (a veteran! of 11 so far) in which he keeps promising to break 3 hours. His proudest achievement was being crowned the 1982 Ilford North District Scout Cross Country Champion (ask to see his certificate at the King's Cross shop).

Stewart

Office and Mail Order Manager

Although coping admirably with an increasing workload as the company expands, he loves travelling and running and still finds time to fit both in to his busy schedule. He used to race regularly, but his biomechanics could not take the stress of heavy training and has now turned into an occasional runner.

Ben

Marketing Manager

Former manager at our Holborn shop since it opened in April 2005, now our marketing guru. Member of Highgate Harriers. Began his running career as a double English Schools XC and Track Champion in 1994, finishing 49th at the World Junior XC Champs the same year, and has been a regular international since. Obtained a degree in Marketing from Providence College, USA, where he attended on a running scholarship. Best performance to date was his coming 43rd in the 2004 World X-Country. After a spate of injuries, has returned to the international stage once more with selection for the World X-Country in Kenya this year. In his spare time he is a keen follower of Bath Rugby Club, plays the odd game of cricket and golf, and enjoys socializing, travel and theatre.

Jim

Area Manager

Studied drama at the Central School of Speech and Drama. Still getting over not being given the Bond role - again! Member of Highgate Harriers. Talented runner over all distances from 400 metres to the marathon. Blames his missing out on international honours on lack of sleep, but as his daughter is now two, he's going to have to find another excuse soon!

Katie

Office Assistant

Katie moved to London (and Runners Need) after finishing her BSc in Engineering in Canada. While working at Runners Need she has earned an MSc in Biomedical Engineering and has just finished her first year of medical school at King's College London. Her running is purely for fun but she pushed herself a little harder this winter and completed her first marathon in April.

Chris

Manager at Camden

A solid all-rounder, Chris has represented Highgate Harriers in a full range of disciplines from triple jump to half marathon. He has finally been persuaded to tackle the dreaded marathon distance, so hopes to give his debut performance early next year. Hailing from a media background working for MTV, Chris now prefers to sing into the changing room mirror here at Runners Need. His biggest vice being strong coffee, look out for his uncontrollable twitch!

Guy

Asst. Manager at Camden

Coming initially from a footballing background, having been a member of West Ham’s youth academy, Guy got into running through keeping fit for football. That’s when he caught the bug and he hasn't looked back since. His inquisitive nature led to him gaining a national sports diploma and he is always on the search for knowledge. Guy balances his passion for running with a busy social calendar. He enjoys a variety of music from different genres and has often been caught singing some soul on the karaoke machine.

Matt

A recent graduate from St. Mary's University. In the past Matt has run for Middlesex and Hertfordshire Counties over cross country and track. His claim to fame is winning Middlesex County 800m titles 3 years in succession. Matt is currently looking into a career in sports development alongside gaining qualifications in sports massage and sports coaching. He is an avid Arsenal fan.

Chris

Aspiring professional triathlete. Trains as much as he works. Graduate (BSc) in Sports Rehabilitation from St Mary's University, Twickenham, in 2004. He says he is always happy after coffee and cake - never too serious!

Kevin

Manager at Canary Wharf

A keen runner, but unlike his colleague Stuart, also South African, has not been tempted to run the Comrades distance of 56 miles! He feels a half-marathon is far enough, and really wants to improve his best time of 1 hr 28 mins. Trying to master the frustrating game of golf, and enjoys the occasional game of squash.

Justin

Assistant Manager at Canary Wharf

Our speediest member of staff. Finished 6th in South African 200m Champs in 2004, and has also been a gold and silver medalist in the 4x100m relay. Managed specialist running shop in Durban. All-round sportsman. Played cricket, rugby and football at school in South Africa and enjoyed coaching primary school children in cricket and football.

Michael

Michael comes from an IT and banking background but opted out of the rat race to concentrate on running and travelling around the world. Has been a member of Eton Manor AC for 30 years , competing in hundreds of races including numerous marathons and ultras (London to Brighton and Comrades in 2003). Highlight of running career so far was in winning the Halstead (Essex) marathon in 2003. Will achieve veteran status in the summer of 2009 so hoping to challenge for county honours then, although arrival of his first child in February will probably impact training.

Antony

Recent Aussie recruit, Antony is a 6ft 6in competitive basketball player who runs for fitness. Sweet-toothed Ant, learnt his trade for almost 2 years at renowned Australian footwear specialist, The Athletes Foot, on the Sunshine Coast. Winning the ABA State Championship with the Maroochydore Clippers in 2006, he feels was his greatest achievement.

Tom

Tom is studying PE, Psychology and Geography at college, and is hoping to go to Birmingham or Cardiff Uni next September/October to study Sport Science, with also a possibility of doing a part-time massage course at Cardiff. He has no ideas about a long term career path, but he would like to stay within a sporting environment (be a full-time athlete hopefully!!!). Also plays cricket in his spare time but doesn't have a great deal of time for it because of his running. Massive Manchester United fan but has some sympathies with West Ham (local club).

Simon

Manager at Holborn

These days Simon likes to think of himself more as a triathlete than purely a runner after representing Great Britain at age group level and becoming an 11-hours Ironman finisher. He enjoys races from 5k up to marathon distance since his basic lack of speed over the shorter distances leaves him too far behind the younger, faster members of staff! He reckons his greatest achievement would be to qualify and then race at the Ironman World Champs in Hawaii and is currently developing his master-plan to make this a reality! He has also been a qualified Personal Trainer and Sports Massage Therapist since 2004.

Ryan

Asst. Manager at Holborn

South African Scot! Enjoying finding out about his ancestry. Since coming to the UK in 2006, has managed to train with Paula Radcliffe and meet Kelly Holmes! Training with Paula was his prize for winning the Niketown challenge to see who could run on a treadmill the longest at Paula's world-record marathon pace. He managed 52 minutes (speed of 18.6 kms/hr). Finished 4th in Run London 10k (1st North London runner) in 2006. Enthusiastic and talented runner - destined for great things.

Dani

Member of Thurrock Harriers. Her favourite events are 3000m (track) and 10k on the road, where her aim is to break 39 minutes in 2007. Qualified hairstylist, but just keeps her hand in now by looking after friends. Competes regularly for her running club, and in the little spare time she has, loves going to the cinema and reading.

Melanie

Member of Serpentine Running Club. After getting 3:51 in her first marathon, she then turned to triathlon and has not looked back. After completing a half Ironman distance race in 2008, she is now looking forward to going the full distance in 2009! Melanie is also a big fan of cross country and regularly competes for her running club.

Robert

Rob runs to keep fit and enjoys competing in races that range from 5K to Marathon distance. He also enjoys cycling, climbing and does the occasional spot of sailing and windsurfing when he gets chance. Rob is originally from West Yorkshire, he studied Civil Engineering and graduated from Leeds University in June 2003.

Nicola

Nicola’s love of running developed from her drawing and painting the human body (she has a 1st Class Fine Art degree). This fascination with exploring her (and others') physical potential led to her qualifying as a personal trainer – see www.lgn.cc. Runs everywhere round London, but far prefers the green open spaces of Hampstead Heath to polluted pavements. Definitely wins the award for the best-dressed member of staff , and doesn’t see why one also shouldn’t look stylish when wearing running kit.

Clare

Member of Thrift Green R.C. and Brentwood Masters Swimming Club. Clare is a practising sports therapist and has a degree in Marine Biology from Liverpool University. She loves sport, especially running and swimming. Her best running performance was scoring for her club in the Essex County XC in only her 3rd ever XC event!). Otherwise, she prefers 10k to 1/2 marathon distances and might delve into the world of triathlon this year.

Brad

Manager at King's Cross

The longest-serving member of staff at Runners Need. Ex-South African, now a UK citizen. Ran a 2:18 marathon in his young and fast days! Enjoys watching football, cricket & tennis, music concerts, and is also trying in vain to learn French!

Mel

Asst. Manager at King's Cross

Studied Sports Science in Germany. Her main focus was rehabilitation and injury prevention. Qualified as an orthopaedic shoemaker - she learned how to make shoes and insoles. When Mel was younger she did a lot of gymnastics. Slowly getting to old for that, she now keeps fit by running and climbing.

Dan

Applying to start Osteopathy course in September. Loves cycling as well as running and is contemplating triathlon in the future. Says he is more of a plodder when it comes to the running but is working to improve his 10k time. Although a passionate fan of Arsenal Football Club, he has sympathies with Bath City FC. Dan has also pioneered a revolutionary training technique, which involves using the first half of a race to train for the second.

Tope

Tope is a member of Newham and Essex Beagles sprint team. She enjoys the 100m because it is over in seconds but would like to specialize in the 200m next season (2009) Tope is in her final year in university studying sports development, and would like to become a development officer as she enjoys bossing people around. She also works part time for T and J design and business. She enjoys organizing events, sports and working with the youth in her church. Her aims include making the GB team for the next Commonwealth Games.

Andy

Manager at Liverpool St.

Andy gained his Sports Science degree at Brunel and has spent the last year on a sports scholarship in the USA. He finished 4th in the British Universities 3000m Champs, and is targeting a big improvement in all his track times this season. As a member of Blackheath Harriers, Andy is a frequent member of Kent and South England XC teams. In his spare time he enjoys music, socializing, and is a supporter of Charlton Athletic.

Andy

Asst. Manager at Liverpool St.

Andy graduated from The London Institute with a BA in Graphic (Editorial) Design, after having lived & studied in Boston, USA, where he still has family. After competing at County level on track in the 100, 200 & 400m for his home town in Norfolk, competitive running was put on hold to make way for travel & study. Recently returned to running, his main focus is now training to get his speed up & times down over 5 & 10k disciplines, and compete in his 1st Tri! Has registered for his 1st Marathon, (London 2009).

Graham

Graham returned to London in June 2008 after a stint of Rugby in Bay of Plenty, New Zealand. His sporting success doesn’t just apply to Rugby, he used to compete at National level in Swimming and played Basketball for Surrey. He has aspirations of studying a Postgrad and becoming a strength and conditioning coach.

Shavaun

In final year of BSc degree in Sports Therapy. Since 2005 has been practicing sport and remedial therapy for athletes at the Ladywell arena in Birmingham. Coaches young athletes for Lewisham Borough. Aims to gain representative honours at her favourite event, the 3000m steeplechase. Enjoys travelling, cinema, music and a wide range of sports.

Jimmy

Studying to become an Osteopath and also works as a sports massage therapist. Runs for London Heathside and turns out occasionally as a back row forward for Old Millhillians rugby club. His sub-three hour marathon aspirations have been put on hold until after his graduation, as most of his spare time is spent studying anatomy, physiology and pathology.

Alexander

Alexander is one of the longest serving part-timers at Runners Need and has been a reliable weekend worker for nearly 5 years. He is currently studying business management at Royal Holloway University of London. In his spare time he enjoys running 10k races but is more often found on the rugby pitch and in the weights room.