I’m David and I’m the Lead Coach and Affiliation Secretary for Red Kite Runners. I’ve been a runner since 2009 and have been in and around the Club since moving up to Gateshead in 2018. In that time, it has been an absolute pleasure to be a run leader and then Lead Coach.

I started running when I moved to a new town and I didn’t know anybody. I felt it was a good way to get to know people in my new surroundings. Running has given me that but so much more besides. The people I’ve met and the places I’ve seen has given me so much and wouldn’t have been possible without running. As to why I lead and coach, I’ve been fortunate enough to support and guide many runners. There is no better feeling for me to see people achieve their goals, be it completing a 5k, a marathon or achieving a PB. The buzz is gives me is hard to properly articulate but I always get far more from seeing others achieve whilst knowing that I may have played a part in their achievement than from any of my own achievements. It’s a source of pride for me that I’ve been able to help so many runners and I look forward to continuing to do so in the future.