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 12 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

Assistant General Manager

Stewart 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. He also follows Sale Sharks Rugby Union Club.

Kirsty

Sales and Marketing Manager

Our newest member of the team from New Zealand is also an avid rugby supporter. Kirsty worked in sports marketing (football) in Melbourne before departing for London in search of a greater challenge. Kirsty is a keen recreational runner and member of Serpentine RC, often combining running with travelling. She enjoys competing in UK road races, favouring distances of 10 miles to half marathon. Not one to shy away from challenges, Kirsty has now set her sights on completing the Prague marathon.

Simon

Administration Manager

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.

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!

Robert

Warehouse Manager

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.

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 second year of medical school at King's College London. Her running is purely for fun but she pushes herself a little harder these days and completed her second 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!

Robert

Asst. Manager at Camden

Politics and International Relations graduate who still likes to keep in touch with political issues, yet more importantly big Queens Park Rangers fan who has held a season ticket since aged 8. Nowdays balances that passion with running; a member of Ealing Southall and Middlesex AC who likes to compete over both road and cross country.

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!

Brad

Manager at Canary Wharf

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!

Michael

Asst. Manager at Canary Wharf

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.

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.

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).

Ryan

Manager at Holborn

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). He runs for Highgate Harriers and came 2nd in the Asics British 10k 2009 in a time of 32:06. Enthusiastic and talented runner - destined for great things.

Sebastian

Asst. Manager at Holborn

Profile to follow.

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.

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.

Dani

Manager at King's cross

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.

Guy

Asst. Manager at King's Cross

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.

Melanie

A big fan of endurance sport. She has tackled two Ironman distance triathlons and is currently considering future challenges. Melanie also enjoys cross country and regularly competes for her running club Serpentine.

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.

Graham

Asst. Manager at Liverpool St.

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.

Jimmy

Jimmy is now a registered osteopath. Runs for London Heathside and turns out occasionally as a back row forward for Old Millhillians rugby club. His sub-three hour marathon aspirations were on hold until after his graduation, as most of his spare time was spent studying anatomy, physiology and pathology. No excuses now then... watch this space.

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.

Justin

Manager at Oxford Circus

After managing a running specialist store in South Africa, Justin has been in the UK for over 3 years – all with Runners Need. A member of Kingston & Poly AC, the South African sprinter has been in Surrey and South of England 200m finals as well as winning the Surrey 60m title in 2009. After playing cricket, rugby and football at school, he went on to study Journalism in Durban. Also, been a huge Liverpool fan since the 80s.

Antony

Asst. Manager at Oxford Circus

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.

Gabrielle

Gabrielle's profile to follow soon.

Claire

Claire, a member of Sale Harriers, is one of our country’s top Triple Jumpers and is a budding 2012 star. Growing up in Devon, coincidentally the same town as legendary Triple Jumper Jonathon Edwards, she has just completed her BSc in Sports Science at Brunel University. Next year she will be hoping to better her PB of 12.97cm and qualify for Commonwealth Games 2011, Delhi.

Kevin

Manager at Victoria

After running ‘The Hell Runner’ in November 2009, Kevin has decide to start running a few more races and is now back in training to try and get back to running as when he was in South Africa, which happens to be nearly 6 years ago. His plans for this year is to run the Edinburgh Half Marathon in May and then ‘The Hell Runner’ once again. He also is dabbling into adventure racing which can last from hours to days involving running, mountain biking and kayaking.

Andy

Asst. Manager at Victoria

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).

Mike

Staff profile to follow.