Meet Our Run Leaders

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Hello, I'm Danny, proud to say I was the first run leader when we launched Drighlington Dynamos back in 2021.

I never enjoyed running with other people, but now struggle to get out on my own. Leading runs not only helps people improve on their own running journey, but keeps members active during the winter months, with safety in numbers.

Whatever your level of running we have got a great team that will make you feel welcome and look after you, can't wait to see you on your next, or first run.

 Hello, everyone. I'm JK. I'm a runleader with Drighlington Dynamos Running Club. 

I first started running solo in 2020 and began to run with DDRC from the second week of its existence. I quickly realised that running with others improved my fitness and stamina far quicker than running on my own. I guess I found it a natural progression to want to runlead with the club. I've always enjoyed helping people of all abilities. I get much more satisfaction from helping other with their running than just running alone. I don't runlead for my own personal fitness, although it does benefit me enormously. I try to be there for others instead who may need a little encouragement from time to time. 

I look forward to welcoming you on your next run with the club Kind Regards JK 💚🤍🧡 

Running with the club since day one I was happy and proud to watch it grow, but seeing from the inside the time and effort needed by run leaders, of which we had very few, I felt the time was right to have a go at run leading myself.  I’ve met so many lovely people through doing so, it’s been a completely positive experience. It’s good for getting me out too as if I’m leading and it’s raining .. I can’t cancel , I still have to go!

Being a run leader can be a highly rewarding experience. It is an opportunity to lead others on their journey to improved health, while simultaneously advancing your own health and fitness goals.
I was a little unsure of becoming a run leader at first, did I have the ability to do it, then there’s responsibility and commitment. I was running anyway and wanted to get involved with the club so decided to give it a go.
The course was straightforward and I had the support from the club and other leaders too.
The first run was a little daunting trying to remember everything, completing the register remembering the warm up, the route, the cool down and how many runners did I set off with? From there on it became second nature but that was down to the runners too making it easier.

As the run leader it is important that you create a positive and supportive atmosphere for your running group to help foster a sense of camaraderie for everyone in the group. It’s great to see from the run reports each run leader doing this in their own style. It has been nice to take different groups too to get to know other members of the club.
Being a run leader is a great way to stay fit and motivated while helping others reach their goals. While the position of a run leader can be demanding and occasionally challenging, it is also immensely rewarding to help others on their health journey. 

  I think the first thing to say about me was I never actually thought I would be a runner. I was quite big as a teenager and young adult, I enjoyed sport but was never really fit enough to play or if I did I wouldn’t last very long. 

When Drighlington Dynamos started I decided to take the leap of faith and give running a go and quickly found out how unfit I was, but I thought lets just keep trying and hopefully it would get better.

I remember going up Spen lane from Cleckheaton to Gomersal (mound of opportunity aka big hill) and Danny asked me how well I took criticism? And I say I am ok with it, well he said get your head  and back straight and you’ll do a lot better as my posture has never been the greatest. So I took it on board and changed my style. 

My parkrun time in 2017 was 40.48 and my current PB is 22.11 so nearly halved it. I have completed plenty of races now and am looking forward to doing even more. I love having a race to look forward to, in fact I could race most weekends, love the atmosphere and being outdoors. 

Run Leading 

I thought maybe I could have a go at that. I used to coach junior rugby at Drighlington lots of years ago now so I thought maybe I should give something back. Being a run leader you see so many people who came like I did and want to get fitter and all you want to do is help them achieve those goals. Seeing the change in so many of you is awesome and if I make even only a tiny difference that’s all that matters to me. I always love the comment I can’t do that from runners and you think to yourself now you are going to without realizing and taking them the distance they thought they could not do or the pace they didn’t believe they ran. I also love taking people round parkrun/races for people who want a PB time too. 

Since joining the Dynamos in January 2023 on the C25K program, my running journey has gone from strength to strength. I’d done a little bit of running previously but had really struggled to get back into any form of exercise after having my little girl. Joining the Dynamos has given me a new sense of confidence, I've gained some wonderful friends and they have helped me to push myself in terms of my running, with multiple races and PBs under my belt. But it's not just about the running, it's the friendships, social interactions and community spirit which make the Dynamos such a fantastic club. So when the question was asked about being a Run Leader the answer was pretty easy! I’m by no means the best or the quickest runner, but if I can give back to the club after the support that they have given me, then it's a no brainer! I'm looking forward to running with friends, and new members and to hopefully give others the confidence to start or continue their running journey!

I have been running with the Dynamos since June 2021! I’m currently the member of the year for 2022! I enjoyed running with the Dynamos and meeting a whole new social circle which had helped my mental health and overall happiness since joining. 

I took my first run lead in October 2022, a group 1 loop down Whitehall road to the Halfway House. I now run lead twice a week, and I find it very rewarding! 

Run leading is a rewarding way to help others with their running. I get to meet many more people across the groups, and hope I can contribute to their running journey. I try to be honest to myself being a run leader, abiding by the training and safety we have learned about, whilst trying to be both supportive and fun. The hardest thing about run leading compared to being a runner is that you can’t switch off, you still need to be observant, which is contrary to my ability to chat to people endlessly!!

It's people’s journeys and the feedback you get that really makes it. I’ve been taking my group 2’s up “Phil’s hills” recently, which not all runners were keen about, however I had great messages since saying how people have felt their running has improved since this! That makes it all worthwhile. 

Hello I’m PJ (Pete) I joined the club a little over a year ago to help me with my marathon training, and from the very first night I knew this was the club for me. Fast forward 12 months and my fitness has improved massively, I’ve made life long friends, supported my fellow club mates at various races, and even danced my socks off at the Dynamos Christmas do. I’m now devoting my time with the club as a run leader to help the club go forward and make it a fun and friendly environment for everyone to be a part of. I look forward to running with old faces and welcoming new faces into the club PJ x

I love running to get outside in the fresh air, isn't it just the adult version of going to play out? I always enjoyed running on my own and wasn't convinced I needed a running group, but agreed to join a friend to try the Dynamos back in 2021, and haven't looked back! My favourite route would be trail over hills and through woodland in the sun... but the streets near Drighlington come a close second in the company of our fabulous run groups. I'm excited to join the lead team, I look forward to running with you soon if I haven't already! 

I joined Drighlington Dynamos 3 years ago when they launched the first ever Couch to 5K. I didn’t like running then and there are days when I still don’t 🤣. Let’s be honest a glass of wine and relaxing on the sofa is always more appealing. However, the club is more than just a running club, it is a family that is supportive of people of all ages and abilities. You will be made to feel welcome and you’ll make friends for life. I wanted to become a run leader to inspire people like myself who maybe unsure about running but want to get fit, set achievable goals (however big or small they maybe) and do so in a friendly environment. If I can do it anyone can 🧡💚

 I have gone from being a strict ‘non-runner’ to completing a marathon in 18 months. I couldn’t have achieved any of that without the massive support of the run leaders and many other club members… especially in those tough early runs 🥵. I volunteered to be a run leader so I can give something back to the club, hopefully to support others in achieving their running ambitions, whether it’s to run a 5k, 10k, marathon or just to stay fit and have fun with friends 💪👍🏻

I started my running journey around 6 years ago. At first I found it an opportunity to clear my mind and dust off the stresses of the day but soon got hooked !

In 2022 my wife joined a couch to 5k programme and told me how amazing the Drighlington Dynamos were. As someone who’s always enjoyed running on my own I was encouraged to give it a go ! I must say it is one of the best decisions I have made and I haven’t looked back since! 

I see how much all the committee and run leaders put into the club and want to give something back whilst supporting and motivating others on their own running journeys.

Hi all, I've been running a few years now. I love to challenge myself and love anything to do with running, cycling and keeping fit. I joined the Dynamos as running on my own had lost its appeal and I wanted to run with others to get my passion back. The Dynamos have more than fulfilled that for me. The amazing support you get from Dynamos at races is second to none and it's great being at parkrun with Dynamos in attendance. Hopefully, now I'm a run leader, I can support Dynamos on their  running  journeys .

When my sisters first suggested joining the new local running club my instant reaction was to say no!  However my sisters decided to go so in fear of missing out I went along with them and can I say it was probably the best decision from a fitness point of view, that I have ever made. Not only have I found a whole new set of friends, but the support that we receive from a running point of view is absolutely tremendous. The run leaders were supportive and encouraged me all the way. I’ve gone from being a 4-5 mile runner to completing 3 half marathons and a couple of 10 mile races. I’ve even started doing park runs on a Saturday morning where you are never far away from a group of Dynamos.  Support from the club is absolutely fantastic and the friendship of like-minded people makes it a pleasure to turn up every week. 

During the last three years we’ve had so many leaders give up their free time and I completely appreciate everything that they do for the club so I just wanted to put something back in and hopefully share some experiences of mine and encourage other people to keep fit and keep motivated. One of the other good reasons is that I used to give up running in the winter time because running on my own was a bit scary in the dark as a female The club has kept me going throughout the winter months wind, sleet, hail, rain we’re all in it together. The camaraderie that you get from being in our club is second to none.  I am really glad to be part of the team to put something back in and to show my appreciation and hopefully support and motivate any future runners that were considering joining our amazing club. I look forward to running with you all.  

Charlotte Mincher💚🧡🤍