St Austell Running Club

Welcome to......
Serving the community of St Austell since 2007

Meet (just a few) of The Team

Coach, Leader and Committee member
Doug Alsop
I’ve been running for a few years now and still loving it. All of my PB’s are behind me but there are still challenges of a different nature to be undertaken. My proudest moment was in 2012 when all my family, Geraldine, Dan and Nadia completed the London Marathon. I have particularly enjoyed being part of this club and seeing members develop with their running and confidence. It is a tall order but we try to offer as many aspects of running as possible to cater for all abilities. I am a competitor and have previously loved to be in a race but of late I have moved in to ultra off road events. The mental approach is totally different and the challenge is for me just to be able to complete an event.

Chair
Sam Ewart
I started run walk in 2016, never having been any kind of athletic person in my life! Back then, the idea of running 3 miles seemed like the ultimate goal. I'm not really sure what happened after this, safe to say, I must have enjoyed the running, the company, the health benefits - and definitely the bling. I completed my 4th marathon in 2022, which for me, is quite unbelievable.
Without the STARC family, I don't believe I could ever have achieved half of the things I have done over the last 6 years. The support, camaraderie, inclusiveness within STARC continues to draw in new members as well as build the confidence of everyone, no matter their capabilities. To be a part of that is something special.
I'm never going to be 'fast', I'll never be top of the tables, and my moto remains, "Finish Lines, not Finish Times"

Vice Chair
Paul Johnson
My running journey started with every mile being a struggle: I never imagined being able to run 3 miles. But that became 6, then 10 then... Being part of STARC has been like having a second family. The support and knowledge has helped me improve my running with some highlights including London Marathon, the Plague and the Arc100. I still love local races and especially running and volunteering at parkrun. Being a Men's Captain between 2021 and 2022 meant helping others on their running journey and supporting our members and celebrating their many successes.

Ladies Vice Captain
Alison Day
I started running many years ago, completing races across different distances up to marathons.
My running had to stop whilst I recovered from spinal surgery and not knowing if I’d ever be able to run again was a hard time as running is an addiction!
But with patience (not my strongest quality!!) and perseverance I was able to get back running.
I moved to Cornwall and joined STARCs Couch to 5K group in 2023, before participating in regular club runs and races.
I’m delighted to have completed this years Cornish GP series (road races) and now challenging myself with the MTRS (Multi Terrain races) which I absolutely love as I get to experience routes along the Cornish coast paths with views that take my breathe away!!
STARC is a Club like no other with an infectious positive energy, where everyone supports, encourages and motivates each other.
I cannot imagine my life without the STARC family in it, we are all super spoilt to be part of this club.
I look forward to seeing every member achieving their goals

Ladies Captain
Loraine Hoar
I started running again in 2023 after gaining a place in the London Marathon. I knew I needed some motivation to train properly, especially to keep running safely in the dark and to get myself out the door when it was cold and wet — so I joined St Austell Running Club. It turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve ever made!
Since then, running has become such a huge part of my life. I’ve found not only fitness and focus, but also an incredible running family who have supported and inspired me every step of the way.
In 2025, I have completed five marathons and an ultra marathon, something I never imagined possible when I first laced up my shoes again. And now, looking ahead to January 2026, I’ll be taking on my biggest challenge yet — The ARC 50. I’m both nervous and excited for what’s to come, but I know I wouldn’t be where I am today without the encouragement, support, and motivation of STARC and its amazing members.
I’m proud to take on the role of Ladies’ Captain, and I can’t wait to help other women in the club achieve their own goals, build confidence, and enjoy the incredible community we have here at St Austell Running Club

Mens Captain
James Stephens
After dabbling in running for a few years, I joined STARC in January 2020 in what was probably the most bizarre time in our lives. Since then, I've really enjoyed running with the club, loved the races that I've competed in and seen huge improvements in my running through the club's structured sessions. I've also upped my running game with my annual mileage going from 400 in 2022 to 1,000 miles in 2023 completing all 13 races in the GP series including my first marathon. Whether you're a marathon winner or simply want to take your first steps from couch to 5k, STARC has a place for everyone.

Sports Chaplain
Iain Walker
My role is to have a listening, non-judgmental ear to provide pastoral and spiritual care to any of our members. This is very much by permission and is confidential. I’m here for those with a faith or no faith and it’s about the well being of all those involved in sport. In other words; if you run, need a chat (like cake), then I’m here for you.
In addition, I maintain the running stats, so if you have any queries regarding this, please get in touch

Joint Welfare Officer & Committee Member
Melanie Nile
I’m pretty new to running, started in 2018 after losing my beloved horse. My sister Steph encouraged me to enter something called the RAT!! Little did I know what I was letting myself in for. Anyway, the training began and I caught the “running bug”. My biggest achievement to date has been completing the White Rat & Red Rat twice. I hope to complete a marathon in the future. Trail running is my passion, I love completing the trail races, the muddier the better. I really enjoy the social aspect of the club and have made some lovely friends within it. You also can’t beat the camaraderie and support at the races. I definitely feel part of the “Club family”.

Coaching Coordinator
Martin Trethewey
I have always enjoyed sport, and running seemed to be a natural progression after playing football for many years all around Cornwall. I particularly love following a training plan and racing in shorter races, when fit! However, like others my first experience wasn’t one to remember, off I shot at a hundred miles an hour only to be on my haunch’s 150m later.
I joined STARC just over 10 years ago and joined the Captaincy team a year later before becoming Chair. I believe that the success of our club comes from our ethos of being an all inclusive club and it really is one big family. I am really proud to say that I have made many great friends at the club with whom I have enjoyed many adventures with, and, long may that continue

Leader
Jamie Masters
My love for running stems from my childhood, running cross country races and a few half marathons. I remember my dad saying come on let's take the dog for a walk and we would always do the same route with this massive hill in it and then he would say come on then up and back 5 times, maybe that's where my love for hills come from. So if you come on one of my runs you will prob find there is a few hills involved. I then left running for a few years and played football until my late 20's, That's when I started my family and gave up football only to realise that I needed to do some sort of fitness which was going back to running. I started running for the club in January 2013 and never looked back, so supportive and as many say it's like an extended family to me. What I love about the club is everybody has their own reasons for running and their own goals, mine is to compete and gives me my own head space time. I love how diverse the club is regarding no matter what distance you do or what terrain you do everyone is supportive and encourages you. This is my 2nd stint of being mens captain and it is an honour to represent the club. My favourite distance is the marathon and I love seeing people who never believe they will do one are now doing multiple marathons a year. Remember your race your pace