Meet The Team

Chris & Claire Donald have 30 years experience of the running and fitness world between them and are passionate about running: for competition; fitness; and just for pure enjoyment! They both strongly believe that running should still be enjoyable and life-enhancing, even when training hard for important races. They own and co-direct Purple Patch Running, Chris on the coaching and strategy and Claire on the operational side.

 

Chris Donald is currently a lecturer in Sports Science at Thames Valley University, a senior tutor and level 3 coach for UK Athletics and a tutor for Sport England. He has been running for thirty years and reached county standard in his younger days.  His speciality now is motivating and guiding others to reach their potential  and has had much success in marathon coaching, helping runners achieve their goals, whether they be sub-3 hours or sub-5 hours.  He offers a one-on-one coaching service, but also gives help and guidance on the training camps throughout the year, helping runners to understand why certain training works and how to implement it into their own training.  Chris also takes groups out on the training camp runs as guide/coach. 

 

 

  Claire Donald taught aerobics, conditioning and circuit training for 12 years, was a gym instructor and personal trainer and is a UKA coach in athletics. Unlike Chris, Claire took up running relatively late in life (33) and has now been running for 17 years.  Now in the VW50 age group, she still competes at county level in both road races and cross country. Over the last few years she has moved up to the marathon distance and managed a sub-3 hour marathon at the age of 47.  Claire is a guide/coach for the runs on the training camps and offers stretching sessions during the weekend.  Apart from handling the operational side of the business, she also runs the 'Purple Patch Runners' running club. 

 

 

 

Mark Pattinson currently lectures on Sports Therapy at Thames Valley University.  He is a qualified Pilates instructor and personal trainer.  He looks after amateur, semi-pro and professional athletes at Reading AC & London Irish.  Previously an Army PTI, he ran for the army at cross-country and for Yorkshire & Bradford as a boy.  He has completed 4 marathons, running 2:54 in 1992.  As well as offering sports massage and injury advice on the training camps, Mark also offers pilates sessions and takes groups out as a guide.  He also offers a massage service at Purple Patch races throughout the year.

 

Stuart Mannering is an experienced runner and excels especially at off-road/fell running, competing in adventure races as well as road and cross-country. Stuart has competed in three mountain marathons and loves to challenge himself - as you can see he took the 'Purple Patch' to the top of Kilimanjaro!  He is a UKA coach and takes groups out on the training camps as guide/coach, as well as helping at Purple Patch races.  

 

 

 Billy Wilson was previously a PTI in the Army and competed in cross-country as well as other sports whilst in the service.  An experienced runner, he has a marathon best of 3:12 and has raced consistently over the last 20 years.  Billy also likes a challenge, completing triathlons, adventure races and a mountian marathon when he isn't out on the roads.  He is a UKA coach and takes groups out on the training camps as guide/coach, and is part of the PP crew at Purple Patch races.

 

 

 

 Sharron Bartlett is a qualified personal trainer, gym instructor and sports masseur. Sharron took up running in her early 30's and, while she loves running cross country, prefers not to run competitively - just for the sheer enjoyment of it!  However, she has completed a mountain marathon as well as quite a few orienteering events.  Sharron takes out groups on the training camps as guide and is also part of the PP crew at their races.  

 

 

 

Sue McEwen took up running at 40 and achieved a 3:34 marathon best at the age of 47.  Although still a competitive runner herself, competing in road and cross-country events throughout the year, Sue is now also enjoying new challenges on the coaching front, helping runners of all abilities as a UKA level 2 coach. Sue takes out groups on the training camps as guide/coach and is part of the PP crew at races.

 

Bruce McEwen is a UKA level 2 coach, takes out groups on the training camps as guide/coach and is part of the PP crew at races.

Annie James is part of the PP crew at races as well as providing invaluable support to Purple Patch throughout the year.  A relatively new runner herself, she provides a warm welcome to those struggling over the finish line!

Simon James is part of the PP crew at races as well as providing invaluable support to Purple Patch throughout the year.  A complete whizz with anything techy, we can relax after the races, knowing that the results are in safe hands!

Sandra Briggs is part of the PP crew at races as well as providing invaluable support to Purple Patch throughout the year.  An experienced runner herself, Sandra has completed many marathons as well as shorter distances and competes regularly throughout the year.

Lynne Ross is part of the PP crew at races as well as providing invaluable support to Purple Patch throughout the year.

 

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