The Management Committee are elected annually and looks after the strategic and day-to-day running of the club. All Committee members are club members and can be found running at our weekly sessions, club events and other races. Here is the current volunteer team elected in March for March 2025 – April 2026.
Co-Chair: Gemma
Like many others, I started running in 2020 to keep fit during the COVID-19 lockdowns. I always thought I would be a solo runner, who would hate running with other people. However, in April 2021 I completed the Brighton 10k and loved the communal experience of race day. I had also just moved to Brighton and wanted to meet new people, so decided to join a run club. Brighton and Hove boast a vibrant running scene with several clubs to choose from, but I ultimately elected to join Frontrunners due to their emphasis on being as much a social club as a running club, where the slowest runner is just as valued as the fastest. Moreover, I support the club’s values of inclusion and equity for everyone, and I believe in the fundamental importance of LGBTQ+ friendly spaces for our community.
After joining the club, I set myself two goals: 1) to run the London Marathon; 2) to run a marathon in under 4 hours. I achieved both goals in 2024; I could not have done this without the support of other Frontrunners, who ran long training runs with me and motivated me to keep going, even on the coldest and wettest winter days. I have several half marathons and 10ks lined up for this year, but my aim going forward is simply to enjoy my running – whatever the pace and distance – and to celebrate the friendships it has brought into my life.
In 2024, I was elected co-Social Secretary of Frontrunners. We enjoyed an incredible year of club socials, which included everything from theatre outings and ice skating to relaxing sauna sessions and summer sports days. I enjoyed being on the Committee and giving back to the Club that has given so much to me. When a new position opened up in 2025, I decided to run for co-Chair—and was thrilled to be elected. I’m excited to collaborate with our exceptional committee members and contribute to another fantastic and transformative year ahead.
Co-Chair: Marc
Running began for me as a reason to get out of the house during the first lockdown of 2020. After discovering how much I enjoyed running I never stopped.
I used to run mostly by myself so it was nice to find such an inclusive and welcoming club to run with. Since joining BHFR my confidence in running has grown massively. Going from never having taken part in a race, to completing 2 cross country seasons, 3 half marathons, and most recently my 4th Marathon.
I’ve been able to give back to the club by volunteering as a run leader for almost 2 years and have recently joined Poppy as Co-Chair.
Treasurer: Andy
I joined Frontrunners when I moved to Hove after the coronavirus lockdowns were over. I’d always been a “jogger/park runner” but never managed to stick with it for long. Being a member of this club over the last year has been an amazing journey. With the support of so many new friends, I’ve gone from struggling to get around a 5k without stopping to catch my breath to completing the Brighton Marathon (with a couple of half marathons and cross-country races along the way). I’m now seriously tempted by an ultra-marathon…watch this space.
Running has helped with my mental health and well-being as well as my physical fitness, but feeling socially connected to such a great group of people has been the biggest benefit.
Outside of running I work in well-being for a homelessness charity and have previously been a Mental Health First Aid instructor, so it’s very rewarding to be able to share some of my knowledge and experience to support my fellow members as welfare officers.
Secretary: Stephen
I am Stephen I joined this fabulous club through the C25K program in 2023 which I think is an awesome way to start running.
I have gained so much in confidence fitness and friendship since getting involved!
Now is my time to give back to the club and members I am secretary to the club looking forward to the club year ahead.
Welfare: Patrick
I had zero interest in running (eh like, what’s the point?) until five or six years ago when I was walking the dog in East Brighton Park, heard cheering, looked up to see people setting off on what I later realised was the Saturday morning ParkRun. Some fast, some slow, some walking.
There was something about it, looked like a good vibe I thought, so a week later I toddled along and did it myself. Kept going and then discovered Brighton & Hove Frontrunners, a beautiful gang of LGBTQIA+ folk, a club where you can be as competitive or as non-competitive as you like, as social as you like or not, no pressure.
My running has got faster over the past few years for sure but more importantly this club has given me new friends and a sense of community, been brilliant for my mental and emotional health. Very happy to be serving on the committee this year as joint welfare officer along with the lovely Tommy Doyle. Please say hello to either of us if you would like to!
Welfare: Tommy
I started running shortly before lockdown to train for my first race – a half marathon. I got there, just about, and then the pandemic happened. I carried on running and joined the club in October 2020, between lockdowns. Frontrunners immediately became a big part of my life and the friends I made then helped me get through those tricky lockdown days and are a big part of the reason for my moving to Hove.
I love the supportive vibe at our events, the friendliness, the encouragement and the way that everyone is included. It’s helped my running, too. I’ve run a marathon (one might be enough!) and love a good half. Parkrun is my new religion and I’m often to be found at Hove Prom on a Saturday morning, and shortly after eating a bun nearby.
I’m really pleased to have joined the committee in March 2024 and hope to make a difference as one of the club’s two welfare officers. I think it’s really important to have people whose focus is the wellbeing of members, whether in discussions on the committee or in looking after individual members in need.
Communications: Poppy
Hello I’m Poppy!
I have been a part of BHFR since late 2021. I found the club on the day I moved back to Brighton by chance – seeing everyone out training in their tops.
After joining I realised what a supportive and friendly club I was now a part of.
Not long after joining I was encouraged to train as a run leader, and in 2024 became a coach. I went on to be co-chair for two years from 2023 – 2025. During this time I set up our successful couch to 5K programme which is now in its third year.
I started working on our social media during my time as co-chair and it was a role I really loved, which is why I wanted to do this as a full role for another year, and hand the co-chair baton over to the wonderful Gemma!
With the club I have been able to compete in cross country as well as complete my first marathon – something I thought I would never do.
This year me and Holly will be all over our social media and comms. We aim to bring in lots more women, non-binary and trans people to the club!
Communications: Holly
Hi I’m Holly and I joined BHFR in 2023!
I’ve been running for a while but it took me a long time to join a clun in Brighton and I defintely found the right one!
I’ve really enjoyed attending all the different sessions and have loved all the support at local races. I’ve met lots of new people and really look forward to meeting so many more. I’d like to give something back to this wonderful club and hope I can do a good job at this role.
Working with Poppy we’ll have all the socials media and website looking good up-to-date. We’d also love to have more women, trans and non-binary people join the club!
Social: Tom
Hello, I’m Tom!
I’ve been a member of BHFR since 2023. I remember how nervous I was about joining the club in an environment unfamiliar to me. I was never particularly good at sports at school, but I knew that I needed to just get out there and give it a go!
Everyone in the club has made me feel so welcome, and I’m pleased to call many of them friends. I wanted to become one of the social secretaries because I wanted to give something back to a group that has really supported me with both my physical and mental health.
My aim is to work with members to come up with new ideas on social events that we can enjoy together and maintain the strong bonds that make us a unique and fabulous club to be part of. I very much look forward to working with each and every one of you.
Social: Brett
I took up running around 8 years ago as a way to control my weight which had steadily increased after quitting smoking a few years previously. My first organised race was in 2015 the Royal Parks Half Marathon, and I have been addicted ever since. I love the freedom of running, no planning, no specialist equipment needed, just my legs, a good pair of running trainers and off I go. I often find that I use my time running as thinking time, working things out, mulling things over in my head or simply not thinking at all. As a gay man, it is important to me to be part of such a diverse and accepting group of runners, where everyone is welcome regardless of ability.
Club Coach, Race Coordinator: Paul
Ex marathon runner, now a middle distance lover, soon to be chasing new best times as a V45 masters athlete.
I’m one of the founding members of the club when we formed in September 2018, and have worked my way through various committee roles, so I have a good understanding of how the club works. My favourite moments with the club have been doing the group warm up at the clubs very own 5km rainbow run, which is part of Brighton Pride Weekend.
LiRF Rep: Sam
Hello, I’m Sam (they/them) the LiRF Coordinator! FrontRunners has been my main running family since October 2023 and they have supported me during the biggest transitions of my life, especially coming out as non-binary last year, and I’m proud to run for this amazing group of people!
Membership admin: Jerome
I started running in January 2020 on the treadmill to lose weight.
Within a few months, I was addicted to running outside and ran my first marathon in September 2021. I’ve now run 4 and a few half marathons.
I joined BHFR in March 2022 and it’s been a great experience! Everyone is friendly and I have always felt welcome in the group.
Leaders in Running Fitness (LiRF)
LiRFs are run leaders who are responsible for leading our runs. We are always interested in adding to this, for more information on what it takes to be a LiRF, please see here.
Claire
Richee
I’ve been running on/off properly since 2012 when I started going to my local parkrun. From there I joined a run club and the distances got longer and longer! After moving to Brighton I missed my run community so got involved when someone posted online about setting up a Brighton LGBTQ run group and the rest is history.
Damo
I started running as a reason to get out of the house during the first lockdown of 2020. After discovering how much I enjoyed running I never stopped.
I used to run mostly by myself so it was nice to find such an inclusive and welcoming club to run with. I look forward to the weekly Front Runners sessions because it makes the run more fun in a group. I enjoy being able to have a chat before and during the run.
Since joining Front Runners I ran my third marathon and took 45 minutes off my PB thanks to the motivation and inspiration from other club members.
Iain
I had previously been put off running due to a poorly maintained running machine in a gym, making me feel like I was bounding. However, I started running during lockdown 1 when the swimming pools were closed (as I am also a regular swimmer with Out to Swim). I started from scratch doing the couch to 5k solo and one of my fellow swimmers who runs with the front runners, suggested I join. I progressed in over a year from 5k (love a parkrun) to 10k, an aquathlon (run and swim). I completed a half marathon and my first marathon, all of which I wouldn’t be able to do without my fellow front runners’ help, love and support. I have done Parkruns now from Lands End to Finland etc Never the fastest, always at the back running. but am very much a completest. In 2024 I trained to become a LIRF and to return the help.
Darren
My introduction to running came from a bizarre bucket list wish to ‘run the London Marathon even though I hadn’t seriously put one foot in front of the other since school. Cross country for me was just an excuse to chain smoke away from the eyes of prying teachers. Call it a gateway drug but running a marathon was the start and I’ve completed four more since as well as 5ks, 10ks and a few halves.
I joined Frontrunners as a way to meet new people after moving from London between Lockdowns. I love the vibe and the energy and the camaraderie. I’m a plodder rather than a gazelle and this is welcomed here.
You can also usually find me marshalling at the Hove Prom Parkrun on Saturday mornings.
Graham
I started running about four years ago, soon after moving to Brighton. I had just watched the marathon that year and was so inspired. At the same time, I was also struggling to climb the stairs to my office on the 5th floor and knew I had to try it! I started jogging before heading nervously to my first Parkrun where I did much better than expected. From then I was hooked! Fast forward a few years and I’ve now done three 10Ks, and two half-marathons, each time getting a PB. I’ve always been a social creature and joining the Frontrunners has made running so much better, having a chat along the way and keeping me accountable for turning up!
Rob
I started running in 2007 when I gave up smoking. 20 kilos lighter and over 30 marathons later I still love it. I joined FrontRunners when I moved here in 2019 and have found so many lovely people and friends as a result. I spend half my time in Spain and also run with GMadrid FrontRunners. It’s a great local and international community!
LIRF + Coach Poppy
LIRF + Coach : Paul
LIRF + Coach: Marc
Tommy
Gemma
Sam
See the above under the committee!