Athletic interests: I was a National course measurer from 1989 till 2005. I am a UKA group event coach - speed & endurance and an active coach at AVR, SRC & Exeter Harriers. I also coach several athletes on an individual basis. I am a UKA Technical Official - Road and remain active as a timekeeper for road & track events etc.For many years I organised countless road and off-road races but retired from those activities in 2004.
Some years ago I was a Director of the Amateur Athletic Association of England and also the South of England Athletic Asociation. During this period I was the England Road Running Chairman and held many other executive positions in athletics. Over the years I have been Chairman and / or Secretary of Woking AC, The Cruisers (Woking) & Exmouth Harriers. For many years I was Road Team Manager (Men & Ladies) for Surrey and the South of England. Currently I am Track & Field Team Manager with Exeter Harriers.
Work: I retired in 1996 from Vosper Thorneycroft where I had been Marketing Director of one of their subsidiary companies. My profession was that of a Chartered Engineer and most of my career was spent in the Electricity Distribution and Generation Industry.
Other sports took my main attention until my mid thirties, when I discovered the benefits of running from two perspectives. As someone who had a highly stressful job I found the benefits of a daily run allowed me to keep perspective and relax. At the same time the deep misfortune of a dear friend, who fell ill with leukaemia, provided me with incentive to run for a cause. In this case his appeal fund for the benefit of other sufferers at The London Hospital. Over the next ten years I was fortunate to be able to organise and participate in various running events and teams encouraging others to take up challenges that had hitherto seemed beyond them. Most notable for me would be a series of marathons run with my wife especially those in New York City where I was to work for a number of years. I am blessed with a large number of friends with whom I shared these very special adventures and I am sure the considerable amount of money we raised has been put to good use.
AVR is special to me as it not only provides an excellent environment in which to enjoy running but it is also committed to playing its part in making a difference to others lives in its considerable charitable activities.
I have two children, one is a police officer and the other a trainee accountant who along with my wife and most other people in the club have one thing in common, they run a lot faster than me!
Favourite band: The Kings of Leon.
Favourite sport: Ocean Yacht racing.
Favourite food: Eleanor Wood's egg and basil sandwiches.
My philosophy: Life is a series of adventures and friends are people you share them with- out there are the best friends you have still to meet.
Background - weather forecaster.
Heroes - Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen.
Hash name - The Dungbeetle.
Member of the Cloud Appreciation Society and the Tibet Foundation.
Started competitive running at school in about 1960.
Won the Great Yarmouth Grammar School senior x-country race in 1965.
Between 1965 and about 1985 mainly played football but always carried on running alone or with teams and friends in order to keep fit.
Re-started competitive running again in about 1978 at the Bampton to Tiverton road race.
Did first marathon the first Honiton run in 1981 (3-53 !).
Have done ten London marathons, best 3-10 (1983).
Have run four Snowdon marathons (3-37 to 3-50).
Helped set up Highland Running Experience business (now defunct) in Scotland in about 1990.
Average for first fifty half marathons 1-29.
Best half marathon 1-18 (1983) but on early (short) Bath course. Several halves at about 1-23.
Involved in setting up the Taunton Hash House Harriers in about 1975.
Set main National Hash Run (15 miles-ish) in about 1995 (East Devon).
Founder member of AVR and committee member for most of first 20 years.
Have run around the Devon county boundary 400 miles (in two weeks).
Have run many off-road marathon distance events.
Ran the whole length of the World Heritage Coast over three days in 2006 (Running time 23-30).
Covered 52 miles on a track in the Tooting Sri Chinmoy event.
Won the two man 40+ marathon team event (with Phil Bayliss) in 1992.
Involved in setting up and organising AVR events, especially the Grizzly and the Midsummer Dream runs. Started the Exe to Axe run and co-started the local Woodland Relay runs.
Always enjoy the non-competitive runs with friends over the local paths and trails.
Enjoy running psychology and helping others get the most from their running potential by devising a great variety of running experiences.
Have written many running related articles and reports over the years.
Started and won the first AVR Handicap race. Pleased to still be doing it 20 years on.
Recent projects - building a full size labyrinth in Seaton and installation of renewable energy systems at Seaton Primary School.
Channel for the muse to pen the annual Grizzly poem.
Always Running and Becoming. On OM.
Family: Married to Marie since 1987, three children Oliver (17), Abby (15) & Josie (12).
Interests: Reading, particularly old, obscure and/or travel books and just getting into sci-fi novels; computer gaming (I'm 16 at heart!).
Music: An eclectic mix including 70's/80's rock, 80's post-punk and medieval polyphony!
Work: Geohacker - computer sysadmin, data management and general geeky jiggery-pokery for RPS Energy who provide manpower to the oil and gas industry around the world.
Website: www.LeanMeanRunnerBean.me.uk.