MEET THE COACHES
sarah
mccormack
COACH PROFILE
UK Athletics-Certified Trail & Fell Running Coach
PhD Biogeochemistry, MPhil Chemistry, BSc (Hons) Biochemistry
Mountain Running World Cup Winner 2019
Italian Mountain Running & Vertical Kilometre Champion 2020
Top ten - World/European Mountain Running Championships - 2012, 2013, 2015, 2018, 2024
Winner, Snowdon International Mountain Race 2014, 2015, 2019
European Cross Country Championships Team Gold 2012
Irish Cross-Country Champion 2014
NCAA Division 1 Cross-Country and Track
5k PB 15:46 / 10k PB 33:33
What motivates me as a coach is the process of getting to know individual athletes and developing a training approach that works best for each unique runner. I believe my mixed background in track, cross country, trail and mountain running gives me a big base of experience to draw from when designing a training plan to meet both the unique needs of the runner and the specific demands of their target events. It's incredibly rewarding to be a part of the success of other runners and to have the chance to share in their achievements."
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paul
tierney
COACH PROFILE
UESCA-Certified Ultra-Running Coach
Lydiard-Certified Running Coach
BSc (Hons) Business Studies
Lakeland 100 podium, 2011, 2012, 2015
Wicklow Way Ultra podium, 2011-2015, 2017
Former Wicklow Way record holder
Wainwrights Round 2019
Team Ireland / World Ultra Trail Championships 2011, 2015, 2017, 2018
Tor des Geants 330km 2017, 2018, 2021, 2025
Tor des Glaciers 450km 2022, 2023
Certified Biomechanics Coach & ACE Personal Trainer
I've been involved in competitive sport from a young age, getting my start by playing hurling for my local club and eventually for my county. I got into endurance sports during my time in Australia, and ultimately gravitated towards fell and ultra-trail running. I have always enjoyed working with other athletes and helping them to achieve their goals through fun and challenging training. I feel that my strength as a coach lies in my ability to understand and communicate well with my athletes."
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ally
beaven
COACH PROFILE
UESCA-Certified Ultra-Running Coach
Cairngorm Big 6 Record Holder
Former Cairngorm 4000s record holder
Tor Des Geants Top-20 Finisher, 2021
When I started hill running in my early twenties I was instantly drawn to longer races. New to running, and not knowing how to train effectively, I did a lot of painful slogging. I've learned a lot in the intervening decade and I enjoy putting my experience to use in designing personalised, targeted and effective training programs for my athletes.
Every runner has their own individual circumstances and background, and navigating these considerations to meet goals and achieve long-term development is a hugely rewarding process for me."
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Lauren
Munro-Bennett
ILM Level 7 Executive Coaching & Mentoring
Mountain Leader
BA (Hons) Psychology & Philosophy (BPS Accredited)
Frog Graham and Frog Whitton Women’s Record Holder
Swimming, Running & Triathlon/Multisport Coach
Performance Coach for Team Renee McGregor
My approach to coaching is rooted in understanding the whole person—their motivations, their challenges, and the patterns of thinking and behaviour that shape their progress. With a background in psychology, executive coaching and more than 15 years of competitive experience across mountain running, triathlon and multisport, I bring together physical training principles with a deep awareness of mindset and wellbeing.
I’m passionate about helping individuals work towards their goals in a sustainable, long-term and healthy way. I love supporting athletes who may feel stuck or held back by unhelpful thought patterns, guiding them to find clarity, confidence and joy in their training. Being part of someone’s journey—through the highs, lows and breakthroughs—is incredibly rewarding, and I’m committed to creating a coaching environment where each athlete feels supported, understood and inspired.
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nick brooks
UK Athletics running coach, Level 3
Mountain Leader
Winter Mountain Leader (trained) and International Mountain Leader (Aspirant)
Leader in Fell, Hill, Off Road and Trail running (UK Athletics and the Fell Running Association)
Junior middle distance coach, West Cheshire Athletics Club
BA (Hons) Geography, MSc with Distinction
My coaching philosophy is based on flexibility to ensure your plan works for you, and communication so that we both know where best to put the effort. I take a long-term approach to coaching, supporting athletes to grow year on year, and to gain as much fulfilment from training as from races. As a mountain professional I’m always happy to discuss suitable options for routes to get the most from your training, and where possible enjoy meeting my athletes for a social run or to talk training over coffee.
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GET IN TOUCH
Missing Link Coaching
Unit 16, The Mill Yard
Staveley, Cumbria LA8 9LR
email: enquiries@missinglinkcoaching.co.uk
tel: +44 (0) 7960 470 415
