Thanks so much for joining me Ian. I believe you moved to Matlock in March time, what drew you to the area?
Yeah, I moved in the middle of March from Luton, I lived there my whole life other than a few years at college and in Sussex, it was a big move! It was the peaks really, my son went to university in Sheffield and sort of off the back of that discovered the area. After a lot of thought we decided to retire here. I wanted to be somewhere where we weren’t reliant on cars in a nice town and it very much fitted the bill. But it’s just hilly! I’m gradually getting used to the hills!
That must of taken some bravery to move away from everything you know?
It was quite radical and I’m not a radical person really but we decided to spend our retirement somewhere nice with lots going on and Matlock hasn’t disappointed yet!
I know you ran with a club in Luton, how was that? Had you always ran with them?
Yes, The Stopsley Striders, it’s an area of Luton. I did a half marathon just with some friends at work just after I turned 50 and then after doing a few of those, decided it would be good to join a club. I’ve never looked back and although I started very late it has inspired me to do things that I would never have thought to see myself doing. It’s been wonderful to be part of the running community.
Below at the London Marathon 2022 and with friends at Stopsley Striders
Did you enjoy other sports before discovering running?
I’m a general sports fan but I played football and cricket for many years, I was a cricket coach actually so I did a bit of running just to keep fit. I loved cricket, I used to keep wicket and I remember playing cricket one day and thinking to myself as I was squatted behind the stump – this is fantastic, I’m 50 years old and I’m still playing competitive sport and I absolutely love it! With running I’m never going to win the race, but I’m in it, and for me, I love racing. So all these fell races and everything up here has been fabulous!
At the Pommie Panter we had a brief exchange during the race and you said it was your first fell race, you’ve been going from strength to strength ever since!
Yes, I was quite apprehensive that day, my aim was to just stay out of A&E! It’s the scale of the hills! I’m used to running up hills. Luton was a reasonably hilly place in its surroundings, but the hills here are like, you know, sort of probably three or four times as big. I’ve just loved them, I love the ease of turning up and how friendly they are, the different routes and the challenge.
Below at the Pommie Panter and Riber Run having only joined Matlock a few months before!
So, what did you do before retiring?
I was a director of a grounds maintenance business. I didn’t do as well as I should have done at school but I scraped enough to go to college, do an HND and ended up going into something that I really enjoyed, which was horticulture. I progressed through the business over the years and it went from being quite small to one of the leaders in the country. I was lucky enough to eventually become the director and retired after 34 years there.
I bet that took you to some interesting places?
I got to do some great things and travelled all over the country. I visited really cool places like Kew Gardens and Chelsea. I was invited by a chap named Mark Gregory who has over 100 golds at Chelsea as a constructor of builds. I got to go behind the scenes and see everyone building their gardens before the show opened. It was fantastic to see and be in that environment, the Premier League of horticulture!
Below receiving an award for Diversity and Inclusion at the Pro Landscaper Awards with Gardeners World presenter Rachel de Thame.
Speaking of the Premier League, I know you’re a big Luton FC supporter, have you been able to get to games since moving?
I’ve followed them and had a season ticket for many years, suffered the pain and the sort of heartbreak that comes with it and the high of getting into the Premier League! My sons are fans too and I’d take them to games when they were young, still do now. So was my dad and my brothers so there is a family tradition there. It’s in the blood! We actually went down last night but the two hour drive to games is going to take some getting used to! It’s a great excuse to see friends though and pop back.
Below 2023 at the play off final when Luton won promotion to the Premier League – sadly things haven’t gone so well for Luton since!
You also dabble in long distance walking don’t you?
Yes, Karen and I and some friends have done The West Highland Way in Scotland which is 100 miles. We did it over 6 days with a company who transport your bags and luggage to the next stopover. We did it the easy way in that sense I guess, the more comfortable way but it was brilliant and something we will do more of I imagine.
Below along the West Highland Way in Scotland and also at Pikes Peak summit, Colorado.
You’ve done plenty of travelling abroard too recently If I’m right?
Yes, we went to New York and Morocco last year, we’ve been to the states a few times. We did a fly and drive with our boys as a last family holiday in California, went to Yosemite and Vegas, San Francisco. Part of our retirement plan is to see more of the world. We’re off to Vietnam and Cambodia in November for three weeks and planning Canada for next year. Hopefully do some walking while we are there and see the Rocky Mountains.
Below in Croatia, Morocco and New York.
Have you ever thought about running internationally?
When we went on holiday in Colorado a few years ago I did a half marathon there. The Dog Days Half. We literally touched down at about 5 in the afternoon and it was the next morning at 7am so I thought, why not! It was fantastic but I got about 8 miles in and realised what altitude changes felt like! So the rest was a run-walk! I did the Isle of Harris Half too while I was away with work in the area which was fabulous. I actually just love to race, it doesn’t matter where the race is, I just love that feeling of being in a race!
Below at the Dog Days Half and celebrating with some local wine in Colorado.
Well you have certainly moved to an area with lots of racing opportunities!
Yes there are as many road races as anywhere else but all the fell and trail races on top of the usual road ones are what is surprising to me! They are so easy to turn up and do and so relaxed. I’ve loved it. I’d encourage anyone to go and give them a go.
It’s been great to see you get stuck in with what the area has to offer.
Well I’ve only been running 10 years and a lot of people of my age have ran for many, many years and in a way, they’ve got maybe a bit of body fatigue. Whereas because I started late, I’m still running PB’s and I’ve just gradually got better and better. So I suppose my experience is quite different to a lot of people. I don’t have that experience of a lifetime of running but at the moment I’m the quickest I’ve ever been. Running sub 1.40 for a half just last week was brilliant! I tried but haven’t managed to get under 3.30 for the marathon, 3.34 is my best but I’m not sure I’m going to do it anymore. I crossed the line in Manchester this year on a super hot day where I was suffering from 6 miles, which was a real struggle. I thought to myself as I crossed the line – you don’t need to do this to yourself anymore, I’m not sure I want to do this again. I guess you never know what is round the corner though but I want to take care of myself and try and prevent getting injured.
Below at the scorching 2025 Manchester Marathon and at Loch Ness Marathon 2019 in a bid to break 3.30, coming away with an impressive 3.34.
What else keeps you busy?
So I’ve had an allotment for 25 years just outside Luton, in fact we always had a huge crop of strawberries that I used to take along to club runs to share! It’s always been a dream to have that in my garden so I’m trying to do that now. Getting it set up over the winter to get veg and fruit growing. Strawberries, raspberries, blackberries and I’ve got beans going at the moment. It’s sort of a lifestyle thing really. I just love the idea that I can just go out in the garden, pick it and know I’ve grown it. I’ve got the time to focus on that now so that is exciting.
Tell me about your family, Is it two sons you’ve got?
Yes, Todd and Sam, they’re 25 and 27 now. Finished university, got jobs and live elsewhere. Todd, the eldest, did the Sheffield half this year but that was a one off! They both play a lot of cricket to be honest. For many years I was coaching, I had about 10 years of coaching teams at a Cricket Club in Bedfordshire and they both played county cricket too. I absolutely loved going up and down the country taking them to places as a dad and a coach. They both work in London now and have busy lives but it was a super time then.
So as you enter this new chapter in your life can you summarise what your hopes are in life and in running for the foreseeable future?
I want to carry on running for as long as possible and I love being part of the club. It’s so sociable and friendly and I’d like to get more involved. Equally I like supporting others. In my latter years of work I felt a real change and got more enjoyment out of watching others develop and flourish. It’s the same really with running, others in the club have welcomed me and it’s appealing to me to return the favour by supporting others. I think the running club is a collection of really lovely people that inspire each other to do things that they never thought they’d do. And I think it’s fantastic. I’d like to support races too and do some volunteering, give a bit back. I’m excited for our travel plans and having the freedom to enjoy life as I wish to, relish and enjoy that time.
Good for you! You’ve been a very welcome addition to the club and you are always smiling whenever I see you at races! Good luck with everything and I hope you’ll bring some of your home grown fruit and veg to a club night sometime!
