Committee Members
Below are the main roles required within the committee and these people are invited to attend regular committee meetings. A brief overview of the duties performed by each of the committee members can be downloaded here.
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You can also meet this years committee in this short video! |
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Karen Dodsworth - Club PresidentMy passion for coaching started whilst I studied for my physical education degree, although in the 80s I was coaching netball and trampolining! I joined NHRR in 1991 to improve my fitness for netball but soon found that I loved running more. I am qualified as a UKA Event Group Coach (completing 22 modules online certainly required some endurance!) and UKA Strength and Conditioning Coach. I’ve always enjoyed working closely with individual athletes; I coached Pete to his 30.59 10km and 2.26 marathon, Paul Pearce, a lottery funded GB partially sighted athlete, to gain selection for the Athens Paralympics and Astrid with PBs of 35.54 10km and 2.59.50 marathon. Always looking to improve to provide the best possible coaching I love reading the latest research, attending coaching conferences and observing other coaches with their athletes. At NHRR I produce the training schedules for our three training groups and regularly coach blue group currently. If you have a question about your running or need some help to achieve your target don’t hesitate to ask!
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Cara Sutton & Tash Pitman- ChairpersonCara Sutton - I started running with the club in 2017, I'd run previously, but never trained regularly. I soon made good friends and started training twice a week with the yellow group. I find running helps me to process my thoughts, I'm calmer and happier after a good training session (subtext: less shouty). I regularly lead sessions for the yellow group and enjoy thinking up new warm up activities, often inspired by kids party games.
Tash Pitman - I joined North Herts Road Runners in 2007 having run a couple of marathons with a very unorthodox training plan which revolved around tennis! The club coaches and fellow members were so friendly that I soon loved coming to weekly sessions and came to relish the weekly announcements, where you could cheer your clubmates successes. I quickly realised that running is a brilliant way to socialise and keep fit! I love the club as it is very inclusive and offers something for runners of all ages and paces, from those taking the first steps on the excellent couch to 5km programme to some members achieving national age graded rankings. We also host brilliant races. I've enjoyed running fairly competitively achieving a sub 3-hour marathon with the guidance of our coaches, to a very silly world record marathon dressed in a beer bottle. As Ladies Team Captain I would encourage everyone to do their best, but most importantly put on your trainers, get out there, and show your team spirit! |
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Richard Harbon - Race DirectorI have been a member of NHRR for the last 21 years and I am the Principal Race Director. I love all types of endurance sport and competing in races particularly. I also very much enjoy putting on events for all ages, abilities and backgrounds such as the many and varied races that NHRR are proud to host. I am very passionate about NHRR because of the warm, friendly but very competitive team spirit within the club.
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Russ Hagan - SecretaryI came to running quite late to keep fit, never having been much of an athlete. After a few parkruns, I joined the club in summer 2018 and haven't looked back. My running will never be anything special but the great coaching and excellent company has really helped to keep me going in the right direction. Like many runners, I now have proud PBs, way too many running shoes and an addiction to Strava! I joined the committee as club secretary because I wanted to give something back to the club which has given me so much. I've lived in Hitchin since 1987, but am originally from Blackpool and am still a season ticket holder for the Seasiders, which might also explain the odd bit of tangerine running kit.
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Geoff Murray-Rochard - TreasurerI joined NHRR in 2017, resuming running after a 20 year gap! Having partly retired I wanted a club that blended social with racing. The furthest I had run up to joining was the standalone 10k many years ago. I have now run faster than that time and completed my first half marathon. I want to contribute to the club to ensure it continues to thrive and grow and look forward to supporting it as treasurer.
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Ally Blunt - Co TreasurerI started to run 6 years ago when i put “Run 5k” on my bucket list, having always admired runners but thought i could never do it. Then I found myself entering the ballot for the London marathon and to my complete amazement and total fear I got in!
I joined nhrr to help me train to run a whole 26 miles and nervously went along to a meeting one evening and was greeted with a very warm welcome and my training began. I completed the marathon with the help of the amazing coaches and am now part if this great running community. |
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Laura Fairbanks & Will Harrison - Membership SecretariesI joined NHRR in Dec 2019 from another running club in North London. I was 5 months pregnant with our second baby, so I was looking to keep active and meet some like minded people. I love that whatever your pace, there is a group you can join or mix it up depending on how you're feeling that day.
Running is such a huge part of both of our lives now, whether it be Parkrun on a Saturday morning or training with the club in the week, especially on the greenway in the summer, it just melts away the stresses of the day. The social runs at the weekend are really good fun and are a nice chatty pace so you can really get to know people and take in the beautiful surroundings. My main running goal at the moment is to try and hit 23 minutes for a 5km and beat my marathon time of 3hr 48mins that I achieved at the Paris Marathon in 2019. Myself and Will are always here to help members new and old, if you have any questions about membership, please do get in touch |
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Tash Pitman - Ladies CaptainI joined North Herts Road Runners in 2007 having run a couple of marathons with a very unorthodox training plan which revolved around tennis! The club coaches and fellow members were so friendly that I soon loved coming to weekly sessions and came to relish the weekly announcements, where you could cheer your clubmates successes. I quickly realised that running is a brilliant way to socialise and keep fit!
I love the club as it is very inclusive and offers something for runners of all ages and paces, from those taking the first steps on the excellent couch to 5km programme to some members achieving national age graded rankings. We also host brilliant races. I've enjoyed running fairly competitively achieving a sub 3-hour marathon with the guidance of our coaches, to a very silly world record marathon dressed in a beer bottle. As Ladies Team Captain I would encourage everyone to do their best, but most importantly put on your trainers, get out there, and show your team spirit! |
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Pete Sibbett - Midweek League RepHaving discovered a love of running in the army I joined NHRR in its 2nd week and have been a member for 30 years. With PBs of 15.10 for 5km and 2.26 for marathon I understand the training demands of higher performance whilst in more recent years a string of injuries has given me insight in to the frustrations of the comeback trail and the changes necessary for masters runners. Having always enjoyed being part of a team, I feel that cheering everyone across the line is a real strength of NHRR. As men’s team captain my aim is to help everyone enjoy being a part of our team and feeling proud to wear the club colours. I’ll be working with the XC and MWL reps, as well as the Ladies’ Team captain, to get as many members out as possible to run in the leagues. I will also be looking to provide opportunities for members to take part in higher level competitions such as British Masters events.
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Ian Datlen - Web SecretaryI joined NHRR in 2019 after changing my chosen sport from kickboxing with the occasional OCR race thrown in and thrashing myself around a parkrun every week for a year.
Since joining i have benefited enormously from the coached training sessions and improved my fitness and speed progressively. I have enjoyed running , racing and socialising with the club and am now doing my best to improve the website! |
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John Auld - Men's Captain and Cross Country RepI joined NHRR in May 2014 after completing the Greenway challenge. I started running a year before to get fit after a serious wrist injury and quickly became fond of the sport. Since joining the club I've had fantastic support and great fun with a great bunch of people. I've very much enjoyed the team spirit there is at the club as well as my own focus on self improvement. In 2017, I managed to run the London Marathon after qualifying via Good For Age. I trained my heart out and had much support from club members. The race was the most amazing experience, I had the best fun and the atmosphere was electric! This was in no small part due to the NHRR supporters on the route. I never thought I could consider entering a marathon and now I have a sub 2:52 marathon time. I love racing as a team and I love the cross county races, they are great fun and always interesting.
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Karen Dodsworth - Head CoachMy passion for coaching started whilst I studied for my physical education degree, although in the 80s I was coaching netball and trampolining! I joined NHRR in 1991 to improve my fitness for netball but soon found that I loved running more. I am qualified as a UKA Event Group Coach (completing 22 modules online certainly required some endurance!) and UKA Strength and Conditioning Coach. I’ve always enjoyed working closely with individual athletes; I coached Pete to his 30.59 10km and 2.26 marathon, Paul Pearce, a lottery funded GB partially sighted athlete, to gain selection for the Athens Paralympics and Astrid with PBs of 35.54 10km and 2.59.50 marathon. Always looking to improve to provide the best possible coaching I love reading the latest research, attending coaching conferences and observing other coaches with their athletes. At NHRR I produce the training schedules for our three training groups and regularly coach blue group currently. If you have a question about your running or need some help to achieve your target don’t hesitate to ask!
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Mark Vaughan - Kit SecretaryHi, I’m Mark. Friendly Male Vet 45, 5’10”, slim build, blonde hair and blue eyes. Interested in track, XC and road
running. WLTM similar enthusiasts into speedwork, hill reps, racing and long runs at the weekend. Also into running shoes, club kit and cake. Very approachable, GSOH, OHAC etc. etc. All calls answered! |
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Amanda Greig - Social SecretaryI joined NHRR in October 2020 and immediately felt welcome. I'd previously trained haphazardly on my own mainly for longer distances unfortunately injuries forced me to stop however by joining the club I get to train with others and just enjoy running no matter what the pace or the fact I don't compete. The club is so inclusive it offers something to everyone.
My main sport is open water swimming and in 2022 I surprised myself by winning a GB silver medal in my age category. However swimming is solitary and NHRR enables me to train and talk with others and along the way I've made some great friends. |
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Anna Greetham - Welfare SecretaryI have enjoyed being part of North Herts Road Runners since April 2018. The club has an inclusive and friendly atmosphere, and right from the start I was inspired by the achievements of fellow members.
I like running for so many reasons, but mostly for the incredible impact it has on my overall wellbeing. I also thoroughly enjoy the social side of membership and have made some great friends whilst training, taking part in running events, going on social runs and over a post-run coffee. In my professional life I work in education as a Headteacher. I am a qualified mental health first aider and have extensive experience of Safeguarding policies and practice. If any member of the club would like a chat, please ask for me and I will be happy to listen and help where I can. |
