OUR RUN AMBASSADORS

Sally Armstrong

Sally has been expertly leading the warm-up at the Bracknell Samaritans Run for the last 5 years & will do so again this year.

Sally is a keen runner and a fitness instructor, teaching classes including Spin, Step, HIIT and Body Conditioning at Sportspark Reading. She has completed the London Marathon, several Reading Half Marathons and countless other halves, 10k’s and endurance runs.

Sally’s reason for supporting the Samaritans is very personal:

“Five years ago I was approached by Samaritans to run their race warm up. I jumped at the chance as not only would I be running, Samaritans is an organisation close to my heart. My mother and my grandfather have both volunteered with Samaritans and I have seen first-hand, through family and work, the huge difference this organisation makes to the lives of many people.

Exercise and mental health are words that should always be found in the same sentence. The power of endorphins released when we exercise is nothing short of incredible. The running community is one of the most accepting communities I have had the pleasure of joining and if you are ever short of someone to chat to a trip to your local parkrun will solve it.”

Thanks for your continued support Sally! You can follow Sally’s page Group fitness with Sal here.

Why not join Sally and hundreds more local runners on the 22 June 2024? Register today for the 5k, 10k or Teddy Bear Kids Run.

Simon Bennison

Simon Bennison is a local Personal Trainer & Running Coach. Simon has been supporting the Bracknell Samaritans Run for years, first as participant then as Run Ambassador. Simon finished 1st in the Bracknell Samaritans 5k in 2014! Simon offers training plans & helps organise our fabulous pacers.

Simon has been in the fitness industry for over 16 years. He used to specialise in strength and body building but made a transition into running in 2012 and since then has run and competed in over 45 half marathons, 3 full marathons and too many shorter distance races to mention!

“The Samaritans run is sentimental to me as its the first race I finished 1st in a few years back so it's great to be on board promoting the race! I also love local races and I am a big fan of the Binfield 10k and Bracknell half marathon too.”

We are delighted to have such a fantastic sportsman as one of our ambassadors and are very grateful for Simon’s continued support! 

Bennison Fitness - www.bennisonfitness.com

Why not join Simon and hundreds more local runners on the 22 June 2024? Register today for the 5k, 10k or Teddy Bear Kids Run.

Phill Young

Phill Young is a local coach helping people to get the most from their running and be fit for the life they want to live through a holistic approach of training, nutrition, and mindset work.  As well as helping people in his coaching business, Phill is also one of the race directors at Brutal Run and part of the event team at UK Ultra, he brings a wealth of knowledge to the Samaritans event team and can be found on registration on the day.

Phill has been coaching for 5 years after making a career change in 2019 following his own health and fitness transformation, finding a passion to help others be fit for the life they want to live as he has done, there is a way for everyone to do this.  Phill has competed in races from 3,000m on the track right through to a 50 mile ultra marathon in the Lake District, currently training for a mountain marathon and ultras this year.  Phill loves to help all abilities achieve what they think may not be possible.

The Samaritans run fits well with Phill’s strong believes we all need to look after our mental health and fitness as well as our physical health and fitness, they both go hand in hand, one helping with the other.  Phill’s main reason for running is to manage his mental health to get the benefits movement and being outside has on us.  Phill paced the 10k Samaritans race at 40 minutes in 2018.

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You can find more about Phill and what he does at www.phillyoungcoaching.co.uk or find him on Social media at Phill Young.

Jo Micklewright

Jo is a keen amateur runner, and has been running on and off for the past 22 years. This has become more serious and consistent over the past five, and she's recently completed two marathons and an Ultra.

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Jo enjoys supporting local races and has already participated in a number of half marathons and 10ks this year - and running the London Marathon in October is in her diary !

"I just love meeting up with running friends I’ve ‘met’ via social media - there’s always an immediate connection and runners are generally happy people!"

"I truly believe exercise and running specifically does wonders for your mental as well as physical health." 

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Jo has been a great supporter of the Bracknell Samaritans Run over a number of years and has always said how much she loves the event.

"The race village has a great atmosphere and a friendly vibe to it. And more often that not the weather is outstanding on race day - just right for ice cream refuelling at the end!"

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We are so pleased to have Jo join our band of Run Ambassadors this year - thank you!

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You can follow Jo's London Marathon 2022 running journey on Instagram.

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Why not join Joanne and hundreds more local runners on the 22 June 2024? Register today for the 5k, 10k or Teddy Bear Kids Run.