Our Committee

We are an inclusive club, and welcome feedback from our members. If you have an issue or suggestion which you would like the committee to consider then please email okehamptonrunningclub@gmail.com

EMMA JEWELL

Chair

Since an early age, I have thoroughly enjoyed being active and am rarely found standing still. As a child I was (initially) dragged by my mum to the local park run, which is something I grew to love and still really enjoy. School cross country caused me to fall out of love with running due to the seriousness and cutthroat nature and so it took me a few more years after leaving school to feel comfortable enough to join a ‘running club’ as I felt it would be way too serious and I wouldn’t be good enough.

In 2023, I moved to Devon and got involved in ORC within a few days of moving here. It has allowed me to feel like a real part of the community and I have met so many lovely people through the club and some lifelong friends. I love the inclusive nature, there really is a group for everyone, no matter your ability and they will always be there to cheer you on. The club has allowed me to really find my love of running again, without feeling stressed about times or stats, just enjoying piling up the miles and enjoying the beautiful Dartmoor scenery.  I am now very excited to become part of the committee and can’t wait to get more involved in the years to come.

NICK MARVIN

Treasurer

I started running quite late in life and run for fitness rather than competitively. I have been an enthusiastic Parkrunner since 2014 and love running with people of a similar ability. I also enjoyed entering events over longer distances, even up to a half marathon. After a long absence through injury, I decided to join the club’s couch to 5K programme to bring myself back to fitness and became a fully fledged member in 2020. I very much enjoy the social aspect of our Tuesday and Thursday runs which are fun rather than achievements.

TBC

Secretary

LU WALSH

Membership Secretary

I started running in my mid 40’s and joined the club in the winter of 2018 when I needed motivation to keep going out on the dark nights and I’ve not looked back. I didn’t enjoy sport at school. I was always with the group who hid and took short cuts during cross country! However, I have always enjoyed keeping fit through exercise classes and the gym and love the outdoors. I appreciate the support and motivation of running in a group. No matter how much you don’t want to go after a hard stressful day, you always feel great after a run. I run in a few events and enjoy 10k and the odd half marathon. I wanted to do my bit for the club so have just taken on the role of Membership Secretary. As others have said, we are a friendly club and welcome runners of all abilities. I wish I had joined years ago, so would encourage anyone who is unsure, don’t be put off, join us in our beautiful surroundings and see how you get on!

Mary Roberts

Lead Club Coach

I started running in 2014 with a very small goal – just to make it past two lamp posts! I never imagined back then how much running would grow to mean to me. I’m not the fastest runner, and I never will be, but that’s not what it’s about for me. I love the enjoyment of running and, even more, I love encouraging and supporting others, whatever their pace or distance. Over the years, I’ve qualified as both a run leader (LiRF) and then as a coach (CiRF), mainly because I wanted to help others feel more confident and realise they can achieve more than they think. These days I enjoy everything from parkrun to ultras, but the real highlight is being part of a community where everyone supports each other – ORC most certainly is that community, so friendly and masses of support for runners of all abilities. I’m really looking forward to the role of Club Lead Coach and supporting you all on your running journeys.

Rob Russell

Performance Coach

I have been in and around running clubs for as long as I can remember.  My older brother was a keen runner and that led me to be standing by a track or cross country course from a very young age.  I first started to run seriously as a teenager when I joined a keen group of athletes at the local club.  I started coaching that same group about 30 years ago and have been involved in coaching ever since.
I am a UK Athletics Endurance, Middle-Distance and Strength & Conditioning coach.  I have been fortunate to coach athletes of all ages and abilities, from under 11 to Masters and casual runners to internationals.  I am passionate about helping every athlete get the best out of their ability and reaching their own personal goals, whether that be gaining international recognition or finishing their first ParkRun.
Okehampton Running Club has been such a welcoming environment since I moved here a couple of years ago.  All members are friendly and its coaches are knowledgeable and approachable.  I am proud to be able to help coach at such a happy club.

Claire Grubb

Youth Coach

Pearl Barnes

Welfare Officer

I started running again in my late 50s after a break of over 15years. I wanted to train for my upcoming trip to Everest Basecamp via the Cho La Pass and improve my speed and stamina when completing longer distance challenges and ultras.
I ran my first 10 mile race, the Bideford 10, in Nov. ’24 and loved it! Since then I set myself a challenge of running 61 races before my 61st birthday, which I achieved in June ’26. I enjoy all distances and all terrain, but my preference is for trails. 
On joining ORC I found a wonderful, supportive community, which gave encouragement along my running journey. It seemed fitting to volunteer as Welfare Officer, as in my day job I have been a Director for Safeguarding, and I currently support schools and colleges in developing and improving their SEND provision. 

MATT GRINT

vice Chair/Website

I started casually running in my late teenage years, enjoying the community atmosphere of the local parkrun. At university I took part in my first race on campus which gave me the bug – I loved the atmosphere and encouragement from like-minded people. I joined my local running club in Oxfordshire before moving to Devon in 2021 and then not running much at all since then if I’m honest! Fast forward a few years I took part in the Drogo 10 in 2023 which gave me the nudge to start running regularly again and I joined ORC that same week as a way of socialising and exercising at the same time.

The club has become so much more than I thought it would and a year later I have run a few races (for fun, not to win!) and now here I am on the committee… The club is so welcoming – I urge everyone to come along and see where you end up.