Emma Smith | East Cheshire Harriers

5k 21:07 | 10k 44:44 | Half 1:36:59 | Marathon 3:36:37

Emma started running in 2010 when she was first introduced to parkrun and she just enjoyed running 5k.
She then was put forward by her employer at the time, to run her first marathon for their charity in 2012.
She then continued running marathons each year until she completed her first London Marathon in 2017.

Emma then came back to running in 2019 after having her daughter and really started to make it her obsession from 2020!
You will always find her at a parkrun on Saturdays and junior parkrun with her daughter Sundays, where she’s also Co Event Director.

15 marathons completed so far and more already booked in 👀

But for the biggest news… she has FINALLY decided to join a club and is now an East Cheshire Harrier!

To find more about Emma, listen to her episode

Mark Bousie | Stockport Harriers

5k 19:54 10k 42:02.Half 1:36:34 Marathon 3:42:44

Mark had an on off relationship with running for many years before moving to Tameside in 2015 and discovering and developing a passion for parkrun and getting involved in local running groups, especially ‘Daddies Escape.’

Mark always considered that his other ‘hobby’ of playing in a brass band meant that he was too busy to be a member of a running club, but a window of opportunity opened in 2021 when he joined Stockport Harriers.

You can find Mark, almost every weekend, at a local parkrun and/or race. He has run London Marathon three times and Manchester Marathon six times. Mark still hopes to get his marathon PB down (probably when he eventually follows an orthodox training plan!) and isn’t ruling out getting into cross country when/if he loses his convenient excuse of working on a Saturday afternoon!

Mark is also proud that his wife, Jayne, and their two boys, Harry and Charlie, have become runners, not least as it gives him an extra opportunity to lace up his running shoes!

To find more about Mark, listen to his episode

Clare Finch | East Cheshire Harriers

5k 23:00 | 10k 46:05 | Half 1:43:26 | Marathon 3:43:13

Clare started running in 2014 as a way to lose weight and keep fit. After running a few 10ks in the summer of 2014 she caught the bug and went on to complete her first half marathon.

In 2016 she completed her first marathon and then went on to join Bramhall Runners. She quickly realised that the marathon was her race and in 2019 after completing London Marathon in a time of 4:06. She joined Stockport Harriers to train for her sub 4 goal. It was then in Manchester 2023 that she achieved her goal and finally went sub 4
In Dec 2023 Clare moved back to Tameside and subsequently joined East Cheshire Harriers. Clare has now completed 10 Marathons in London, Manchester, Chester, Yorkshire, Berlin and Valencia and is on a mission to run a qualifying time to run Chicago

James Moles | Chorlton Runners

5k 16:52 | 10k 34:52 | Half 1:15:48 | Marathon 2:38:32.

James starred running aged 14 at school and was his schools cross country captain for 3 years. After a break in his 20s, he got back into running in 2005 and started racing properly again in 2009 when he joined Manchester Frontrunners. His 1st marathon was Munich in 2010 long before super shoes and Maurten gels in 2hrs 55. His passion for the marathon has continued, completing Berlin, Boston and London 5 times. He swapped clubs to Chorlton runners in 2020 with the aim of staying competitive as a Vet runner.

James started coaching for his club in 2014, and taking on a small number of private clients in 2018. He now coaches full time, working with beginners right through to ultra marathoners.

And if you head down to Stretford parkrun, you’ll no doubt bump into him, he’s been part of the core team for 10 years, and loves the community vibe Parkrun brings every Saturday.

To find more about James, listen to his episode

Rachael Horrocks | Hyde Village Striders

5k 26.18 | 10k 56.09 | Half 2.04.56 | Marathon 4.45.17

Rachael started running in 2012 to improve her fitness and get out of putting her 5 year twins to bed! Her driving force to start running was to run the 2013 Manchester 10k for the newly founded Charity Reuben’s Retreat. She has gone on to raise tens of thousands of pounds for the charity and is now a full time member of staff with the charity.

Rachael is a member of Hyde Village Striders, she is also a LiRF and treasurer at the club. Thinking she was going to run a few 10k races after completing the club’s Stride out couch to 5k course she is amazed to have fallen in love with running and the positive impact it has had on her life. Rachael is passionate about showing new runners that they can achieve things they never thought possible and that anybody can run.

She has run the London marathon twice and Manchester Marathon 3 times. She might say her marathon days are over but she hasn’t yet said never again! 

To find more about Rachael, listen to her episode

Cara Taylor | Mossley Runners

5k 23:42 | 10k 49:05 | Half 1:53:10 

Cara started running in 2014 with the Learn to Run group based in Stalybridge, which followed a couch25k style programme. During that she realised the reason she was so shattered was because she was pregnant so after graduating with a 30 minute run decided to park running until 2017. Initially running with neighbours but needing more running buddies she decided to try Mossley Running Club and hasn’t looked back. 

Since increasing her runs from twice a week to five times a week her times have continued to improve and she is still trying to shave more off, while so far resisting the call of the marathon. She says a half is plenty! Cara is now a LiRF for Mossley and also runs their social media accounts – spending way too long selecting the music. 

Leo Loughran | Belle Vue Racers

5k 16:20 | 10k 34:10 | Half 1:16:00 | Marathon 2:40:00
50 Mile 5:53:00 | 100 Mile 22:00:00

Leo started running at 16 when he joined the Army. What began as part of military life quickly became something that stayed with him. Years later, running is still a constant in his life.

He joined Belle Vue Racers in 2018 and remain there today. He also had a brief spell with Salford Harriers, a brilliant club that I’m grateful to have been part of. He has competed across all distances from 5k through to 100 miles. In 2023 Leo won the Manchester to Liverpool Ultra and, a week later, ran 2:40 at the Manchester Marathon. That same year he completed the GB Ultras Slam — five 50-mile ultramarathons in one calendar year.

Running has always been about more than racing. During his wife’s long battle with cancer, he balanced caring for her, raising their five children and working full time. Training — often on Zwift or the treadmill — gave him structure and helped him stay mentally strong.