Team Pure Running
Meet the team - Our staff at Pure Running are a very talented bunch. They are always training for the next event or striving for new goals. Here’s a small snapshot of what a few of them have been up to in the last month.
Jared - I finished a great XC season being part of the amazing GOLD MEDAL WINNING NI and Ulster Men’s Team at the UK inter-counties. I also run for Ballydrain Harriers and Oxford University Blues. In December, I managed first place in the two person team race, Christmas Cracker. I have worked with Pure Running for 8 years - and remain a big part of the team, even if I am at Oxford university.
Jenny - I recently ran in the winter run series London 10k, and have now started a park run tour - trying to complete every parkrun in Northern Ireland this year. So far it's going well, with lots of visits to courses I haven't been to before and I would like to do a sub 20 minute 5K which I think should be achievable if I don't spend too much time wing foiling instead. I am also swimming a couple of times a week and at the gym too to try and stay injury free and keep it interesting. No triathlons this year but could be tempted by a swimrun!
Catriona D - I am trying to stay in the game via one parkrun per week and cycling to and from work, with a view to getting back to a bit more training in the not too distant future! I still make sporadic appearances at select events, including Spar Craic 10k in Belfast.
Brendan - in training for North Belfast Harriers trip to Algarve, Portugal. March 2025.
Barry - I am currently training for Manchester marathon on the 27th April. Two lead up races include running 34.37 in Craic 10k, 8 seconds off my PB which I ran 4 years ago. Next up is Omagh half marathon in two weeks time then hopefully on to Manchester with a bit of confidence, hopefully officially clocking sub 2.40 before I move up to the 50+ age category!
6 weeks of 70-80 miles and then a few handy weeks after…..
6 weeks of 70-80 miles and then a few handy weeks after…..
Ronan - an Annadale Striders member - After a winter on the roads, I am training for the track season coming up -namely, 1500-5000m distances. I have the IMC meet and maybe the BMC as well, but first up Queens 5k!!! I am currently running 65 miles a week ( 2 road sessions, 1 track and a long run.) I am a huge fan of New Balance, while currently testing Puma - as a new road running brand for Pure Running.
Catriona E - I had a fairly good XC season with winning the NI intermediate XC as a highlight, and a second place at the Wicklow way half marathon, but as always I like a bit of variety in my running so I will be doing a little bit of everything this year. I'm doing quite a few mountain and trail races over the summer and am hoping to continue being on the NI team for that, but I also have a few track and road races thrown into the mix to get some PBs over every distance if possible :). Next up is the Queen's 5k, Hill and Dale and the 3k at the IMC. I'm running about 30-40mi a week with Annadale and BARF with a Friday morning pilates class at the PEC.
Cameron - It feels absolutely fantastic to get back to running and stepping up to the race day mark again after a long post- injury recovery process! On St. Patrick’s Day I successfully completed the Spar Craic 10K. It was certainly tough to get back into the race mentality and hold myself together across a distance I haven’t been able to run for quite some time, but I held it together (just about) and earned my Paddy’s Day celebrations for the rest of the day.
I now hope to keep the momentum going and enter my next race very soon! Since May 2023 I’ve been dealing with some dodgy IT bands in both legs, resulting in knee pain which put a stop any and all running. After some brilliant rehab from Peter Morrison from ‘Belfast Sports & Spinal’ and a lengthy period of strength work in the gym I began slowly getting back into the running mindset.
My go-to shoe at the moment is the ASICS Kayano- a trainer that I’ve found gives me the support I need to keep my dodgy legs in place! I’ve also found the Altra Foward Via an excellent recovery shoe for every day use. Its wide toe box, extra shock absorption and stable base makes a comfortable everyday shoe.
Watch this space for more race action on the way…
I now hope to keep the momentum going and enter my next race very soon! Since May 2023 I’ve been dealing with some dodgy IT bands in both legs, resulting in knee pain which put a stop any and all running. After some brilliant rehab from Peter Morrison from ‘Belfast Sports & Spinal’ and a lengthy period of strength work in the gym I began slowly getting back into the running mindset.
My go-to shoe at the moment is the ASICS Kayano- a trainer that I’ve found gives me the support I need to keep my dodgy legs in place! I’ve also found the Altra Foward Via an excellent recovery shoe for every day use. Its wide toe box, extra shock absorption and stable base makes a comfortable everyday shoe.
Watch this space for more race action on the way…
Ben - In the last few months, I've spent a good bit of time in Stockholm Sweden. I've enjoyed running there with the Stockholm Running Club and taking part in the Haga parkrun. In recent months I also completed the Rathlin Run 10 mile race, and won the North Down Hawtin Shield Race!
More updates to follow with Dominique, James and Brendan. As it's now spring, we are super excited to get out running in the sunshine and bright evenings again.
Good running, Pure Running crew x
