The Management Committee are elected annually and looks after the strategic and day-to-day running of the club. All Committee members are club members and can be found running at our weekly sessions, club events and other races. Here is the current team elected in February for March 2023 – April 2024.
Co-Chair: Poppy
I started running around 8 years ago rather reluctantly, however, I soon grew to love it. I entered local races at first and then decided to enter my first half marathon in 2018 and I haven’t looked back since, completing 6 since then.
I Joined BHFRs in late 2021 shortly after moving back to Brighton and felt welcomed straight away. It was a great way to meet new people who shared a passion for running. Everyone in the group is super supportive, and it was Damo that encouraged me to become a LIRF. I love being able to give back and help others achieve their running goals. This is my first year as co-chair and it is great to be able to represent the female members of the group.
Co-Chair: Damo
I’m a long-time triathlete (and have completed over 100 tris), and running is a passion of mine. I’m also looking to give back to the local LGBTQ+ community. I enjoy meeting new people, whilst at the same time trying to keep the weight off from eating too many cakes and drinking beer!
Treasurer: Brett
I took up running around 8 years ago as a way to control my weight which had steadily increased after quitting smoking a few years previously. My first organised race was in 2015 the Royal Parks Half Marathon, and I have been addicted ever since. I love the freedom of running, no planning, no specialist equipment needed, just my legs, a good pair of running trainers and off I go. I often find that I use my time running as thinking time, working things out, mulling things over in my head or simply not thinking at all. As a gay man, it is important to me to be part of such a diverse and accepting group of runners, where everyone is welcome regardless of ability.
Secretary: James
When I joined Brighton & Hove Frontrunners in the summer of 2022, it was a last-ditch attempt to get myself back into running and enjoy it again after a long period away due to an injury. It definitely worked! Thanks largely to the club, my running has progressed much faster than I would have imagined before joining. Just eight months later, I’ve run a half marathon, developed a love for cross-country running, and found a group of lovely people I look forward to seeing each week. If I’m not running, I’m often found cycling around Sussex with the Brighton Mitre Cycling Club.
As Secretary, I organise Committee meetings and support its members with planning business throughout the year, along with other essential admin. Beyond the Frontrunners, I work in corporate governance so I enjoy being able to bring that experience and give back to the club.
Race Secretary: Ernie
I started running regularly in 2017 when I hit 50 & quickly became addicted. I love the benefits to my physical and mental health. Meeting like-minded people with a positive mindset through running has been a joy. I’m best at longer distances and have completed 12 marathons. I love a bit of mud and trail running and cross country are also my favourite passions. I live in Lewes and adore this and the Brighton area with the Downs and country lanes – it’s a runner’s dream.
This is my third year on the committee as Race Secretary. I enjoy organising events, being the boss of an Excel spreadsheet, putting something back into BHFR and helping it grow
Welfare: Darren
My introduction to running came from a bizarre bucket list wish to ‘run the London Marathon even though I hadn’t seriously put one foot in front of the other since school. Cross country for me was just an excuse to chain smoke away from the eyes of prying teachers. Call it a gateway drug but running a marathon was the start and I’ve completed four more since as well as 5ks, 10ks and a few halves.
I joined Frontrunners as a way to meet new people after moving from London between Lockdowns. I love the vibe and the energy and the camaraderie. I’m a plodder rather than a gazelle and this is welcomed here. I’m honoured to be part of the BHFR Welfare Team.
You can also usually find me marshalling at the Hove Prom Parkrun on Saturday mornings.
Welfare: Andy
I joined Frontrunners when I moved to Hove after the coronavirus lockdowns were over. I’d always been a “jogger/park runner” but never managed to stick with it for long. Being a member of this club over the last year has been an amazing journey. With the support of so many new friends, I’ve gone from struggling to get around a 5k without stopping to catch my breath to completing the Brighton Marathon (with a couple of half marathons and cross-country races along the way). I’m now seriously tempted by an ultra-marathon…watch this space.
Running has helped with my own mental health and well-being as well as my physical fitness, but feeling socially connected to such a great group of people has been the biggest benefit.
Outside of running I work in well-being for a homelessness charity and have previously been a Mental Health First Aid instructor, so it’s very rewarding to be able to share some of my knowledge and experience to support my fellow members as welfare officers.
Communications: Iain
I started running during lockdown 1 when the swimming pools were closed (I am a member of Out to Swim). I started from scratch doing the couch to 5k and one of my fellow swimmers who runs with the front runners, suggested I join. I have progressed over a year from 5k (love a parkrun) to 10k, an aquathlon (run and swim). I recently completed a half marathon and my first marathon, all of which I wouldn’t be able to do without the help, love and support of my fellow front runners.
Communications: Scott
I started running after the pandemic and did my first 2 marathons, 100 miles for charity and 3 10ks within my first year. Since then I have completed over 30 races and branched out to cross country and triathlons. Running has become a passion and been part of a local LGBTQ+ community which is more like a family. It’s great meeting new people and socialising with the people who are there to support you at every step. Whilst working with the local community to host the Brighton and Hove Rainbow Run on a yearly bases.
Social: Dave
In 2015, I did my first half marathon for charity and have not looked back since then. Over the years I have done a number of 10ks, half marathons and more recently some triathlons. I joined Frontrunners in Jan 2023 to get to know some new people with similar values. I’ve found running with FRs has helped me with my running pace on the longer runs and in March I completed the Brighton Marathon with a sub 4 hours.
Leaders in Running Fitness (LiRF)
LiRFs are run leaders who are responsible for leading our runs. We are always interested in adding to this, for more information on what it takes to be a LiRF, please see here.
Club Coach and Runleader Coordinator: Paul
I Fell in love with running again when Brighton got its own Marathon in 2010, and I haven’t looked back since, most recently racing 800 metres as a Masters Athlete.
Leader in Running Fitness: Damian
Leader in Running Fitness: Brett K
I joined BHFR in April 2021 and became a Run Leader in September 2021 for the club. I have 15 years of experience in health and fitness, I am a qualified Personal Trainer and teach group exercise classes. I also am qualified in Mental Health First Aid, ASIST suicide prevention first aid and level 2 Counselling Skills.
My hobbies and interests outside the fitness world are hiking, reading and spending time with my dogs.
Leader in Running Fitness: Sonia
I started running in 2007 when I joined the TA – I had to run 1.5 miles in under 13 minutes to pass selection! At the time that was a real challenge but now I comfortably cover much longer distances. These days running is my social life. It’s also my escape.
Leader in Running: Rob
I started running in 2007 when I gave up smoking. 20 kilos lighter and over 30 marathons later I still love it. I joined FrontRunners when I moved here in 2019 and have found so many lovely people and friends as a result. I spend half my time in Spain and also run with GMadrid FrontRunners. It’s a great local and international community!
Leader in Running: Marc
I started running as a reason to get out of the house during the first lockdown of 2020. After discovering how much I enjoyed running I never stopped.
I used to run mostly by myself so it was nice to find such an inclusive and welcoming club to run with. I look forward to the weekly Front Runners sessions because it makes the run more fun in a group. I enjoy being able to have a chat before and during the run.
Since joining Front Runners I ran my third marathon and took 45 minutes off my PB thanks to the motivation and inspiration from other club members.