Louise Sutherland - Chairperson, Run Leader (LiRF) and Club Coach (CiRF)
Back in 2015 I was inspired by the London Marathon, and after a glass of wine, I decided I wanted to run a marathon - I didn't run at all at this point! I signed up for a half marathon and started running on my own which was tough and I completely over-trained and ended up on the injury bench! I had a bit of a break to let my knees heal, and then found MVR. I'd started fundraising for Teenage Cancer Trust due to a family loss, and through them found myself with a place for the London Marathon in 2018. I posted on the facebook page in case anyone fancied a buddy run, and met some amazing people who have become great friends - it's amazing what you share on a 20 mile training run! I joine the committee as secretary in 2018, and completed the LirF course in 2019, and have been regularly leading twice a week - this has also helped to improve my own running. I've now completed 36 marathons, including 10 50ks as well as 2 50 miler's! I qualified as a Running Coach in December 2022. In 2024, I've completed the Centurion NDW50 miles in May, followed by Threshold Race to the King 100k (64 miles in total) in June.
Charlotte Hills - Club Secretary
My running journey began in April 2004, giving myself a year to train for the 2005 and 25th London Marathon. I myself was 25 when I ran it and hadn’t ever run before apart from the odd cross country which I hated. I was inspired after watching it the previous year and said (probably after a few wines) I am going to do that and raise lots of money for the Princess Alice Hospice where my lovely Grandma spent her final days.
So I joined Epsom Allsorts running club as that’s all that was around then and also trained regularly with a family friend, Graham Leather, who was in his late 60’s and had himself done many marathons. I feel I owe a lot to him and he is the reason I will keep running, especially as he always asks me.
For many years after I kept up running on and off, probably more off though as once I had done the Marathon had no focus really then tad dah along came MVR. I joined plodders at Polesden Lacey in early 2017 and the rest is history as they say.
I am probably what they say, a sporadic runner, just because life and work get in the way and I will often say I am not enjoying it but I do really. My years so far with MVR have been brilliant and inspiring. I have made some great friends, completed many races including the Royal Parks Half and the Great South Run and ran with Dame Kelly Holmes! And now I have actually made it on the committee, really this is a ploy to stop me from quitting….
Anyway I will stop waffling but all that is left to say is this is a running club like no other, it’s the best and I am very proud to be a part of it and in sharing everyone’s amazing achievements. Even though I have been running for years, I am very slow and steady and will always love the party at the back.
Sue King - Membership Secretary
Having hated running at school I found myself in late 2016 joining a beginners group, which was later to become plodders, doing a 0-5K plan. I love getting out in the countryside and exercising so I thought why not give it a go and try something new.
It wasn’t till MVR was formed that it became a really social activity for me, an opportunity to meet new people whilst exercising, that I became a regular runner.
I would describe myself as a social runner, although I dabble with the odd race, and even found myself completing the Southampton marathon in 2022.
I love that Mole Valley Runners is so welcoming and supportive to everyone regardless of their ability.
Carolynn Royce - Treasurer and Run Leader (LiRF)
I have tried to “get into running” for years but never found any consistency and lost confidence again and again. I finally decided to find a running group and came across Mole Valley Runners. After dithering for several weeks, I finally gave myself a kick up the backside and found the most amazing bunch of people. As I was not able to run 5K at the time, my ultimate goal was to do a 10K. With the friendship, support and encouragement of MVR I have smashed my goal and now often run half marathons with some marathons and the odd ultra thrown in. My future goals are to try to get a bit faster on all distances although it is running with friends that motivates me the most.
Vicki Garton - Welfare Officer and Run Leader (LiRF)
I used to run at school, I was one of those who actually liked cross country. Me and my friends used to race each other to the finish. That was when I was 11. Unfortunately, I then became ill and was diagnosed with leukaemia. The treatment made running difficult and I struggled with sport, but I still enjoyed it and still ran the 800m and the relay in sports day. Even though I was last. I didn't really do any sport outside of school until me and my mum decided to enter the Sport Relief Mile in 2008. We were so pleased that we managed to run the whole mile together. I can't remember when I started running more often but map my run shows 2014. I think I entered a triathlon, beginners distance. I then started parkrun with my husband Tony and my mum. Since then I've done 3 triathlons, I even got my mum to do one. 100 Parkruns. 2 half marathons and the amazing Great South Run 10 mile. Thanks to Mole Valley Runners, I can enjoy the social side of running. I joined after chatting to Louise about it. I came along for the Thursday morning bacon run and really enjoyed it. Although, I think it was the muddiest run ever. I usually run on a Tuesday night plodders and parkrun on Saturday. My husband Tony has also joined. Thanks MVR.
Paul Woodhouse - Welfare Officer, Run Leader (LiRF) and Coach (CiRF)
I was inspired to start my running journey after watching the London Marathon in 2019. Until that time I had only run several half marathons. I then joined MVR. Since then, I have attended as many club runs as my work shifts allow. Since being at MVR I have grown in confidence. I was able to run my first marathon at Portsmouth at the end of 2019. I also run to help with my mental health which I believe is important. Regular exercise is a great way to re-focus and forget about the daily worries. I am pleased to support the club as a Welfare Officer working with Vicki. More recently I have trained and now become a qualified personal trainer. The original intention was to improve my own fitness however, what I have learnt has allowed me to be able to offer support to others who could benefit from encouragement. I have also trained to be an English Athletics Running Coach and enjoy running club coaching sessions with the emphasis on having fun. My experience with MVR has given me the confidence to get involved with Surrey Police Athletics Club. I have represented them in a number of national competitions. My eventual goal is to join the 100-Marathon club over the next few years. I have self-funded the additional training to support MVR.
Mark Berryman - Marketing & Committee Support and Run Leader (LiRF)
I started running in early 2007. After 3 runs and not being able to run around the block, I decided to set myself a challenge, so I got myself a charity place in the 2008 London Marathon. I taught myself how to run and did all of the training mainly on my own and got myself around London. I ran lots of races from 2008 to 2011, but then in 2012, my health took a bad turn for the worse. After 8 years in and out of hospital and thinking that I would never be able to run again, I took up running again and joined MVR. The welcome and support I received was just fantastic. It took me a while to be able to get back to running a 10k non stop, but I got there! Strangely, the Covid outbreak ended up really helping me. I was suddenly unable to be admitted into hospital every 3 weeks for my treatment as it was too risky and I was moved to weekly blood infusions at home. Despite feeling rough half the time, the other half of the week I feel great, so I've worked really hard on my fitness and have managed to get myself up to marathon distance again. I completed one impromptu marathon with Simon during last summer, the virtual London Marathon in October, and then a 44km run on my 44th birthday in March 2021. I definitely wouldn't have been able to achieve any of that without all of the wonderful support and friendships that I've gained through MVR! I can't wait to run with more of you soon and I'm looking for my next running challenge, so if anyone's got any suggestions, let me know!
Sarah Massey - Webmaster and Run Leader (LiRF)
I'd run for fitness when I was younger, but got back into it with a Couch to 5k in 2018, going on to run parkruns and 10ks, and explore the Greensand Hills and the south side of Ranmore with my dog and local friends. In the run-up to COVID, I qualified as a Run Leader, and was also lured by the offer of a full cooked breakfast to up my distance and run the Leith Hill Half, the last 'normal' thing I did before lockdown.
There then followed a very very long time of running on the same trails every day, so as soon as I got the chance, I took the plunge and joined MVR for a chance to go somewhere new.
MVR has been fantastic, not only for exploring, but for new friendships, support and encouragement. There's always something going on!