40 Minutes – Paul Preston
Paul is a member of Colchester Harriers AC, and regularly races around the local circuit or runs with others in races to improve their race times. Paul is married to Jess and they have four young children at home. After turning 45 in January he has shown that age is no barrier by setting his fastest half marathon time for 10 years at Great Bentley. He has been running since the age of 10, and still has good strong knees amazingly! Most recently known for involvement in Langham 10km each September. Paul will be your 40 minutes Pacer at Colchester 10km, and will expect all his group to sprint past him and around that track at the end!
45 minutes – Charlie Keitch
Charlie has been running since he was a teenager, but only got around to joining a running club in 2012 when he decided to see what would happen if he trained properly and didn’t spend all weekend drinking. He is a proud a member of Great Bentley Running Club and set his Marathon PB of 3:15:03 at Manchester Marathon last year. His fastest 10k time is 39:16 and you may see him at other events this year desperately trying to break 39 minutes. Charlie is married to Becky and they have two sons, Rufus and Cassius. Charlie is your 45 minute pacer, He still likes the occasional drink.
50 Minutes – Lee Clarkson
Lee likes maths and running so pacing makes him a very happy chap. Has paced CHM twice and several times at parkrun. He joined Gt Bentley Running Club in 2014 and enjoys the camaraderie and cake.
55 Minutes – Richard Garrett
Richard started running in 2007, and became a member of Tiptree Road Runners towards the end of 2010 (he can usually be found wearing Tiptree colours with pride at all events!).
Richard broke his right leg (snapped tibia) at the Great Bentley Half Marathon in 2011, and returned to running after several operations and 2 years recovery at the same event in 2013. He runs with metalwork in his leg (which does mean carefully managing his running), and has recently achieved new PBs for Half-Marathon, 15 mile and 20 mile events.
Richard was a member of the pacing team for the Colchester Half Marathon in both 2016 and 2017, and loves the different challenges that pacing brings to his running ñ it is the only time he is happy to be overtaken and see others finish in front of him!
Richard is a family man, married with two teenage sons, and would run every day if his legs and working life would let him!
60 minutes – Lucy West
It started with Lee Clarkson in Dec 2013 who told me if I could run 10k, then I could definitely run a half marathon. My problem is I can never resist a challenge and in March 2014 I ran my first half in Colchester. After throwing away those trainers on the finish line declaring never again, I followed up with the London marathon in 2015 and after Colchester half in 2016 Dave Wignall asked me to help him create a Facebook group for people who like running, in Colchester – so that’s how I became a runner. – Join Running Colchester group.
I’m the one who runs to socialise with friends, drink wine, eat all the food, and take selfies 
60 Minutes – Chusa
Chusa likes to combine running with holidays and achieved a good for age place for London marathon at the midnight sun marathon in Tromsø fuelled by wine and pasta. Joined Gt Bentley Running Club in 2014 and as a result learnt to bake.
65 Minutes – Dave Wignall
In November 2013 Dave weighed 17st and collapsed at work, knees locking so much pain, followed up with numerous hospital appointments and a fear of never being able to walk properly again.
January 2014 , I asked if I should buy a bike and was advised not to , so I did . Could not do 50 yards ,6 months biking to and from work through pain everyday , August 2014 decided I wanted to learn to run ! 5k 30 minutes in 6 months was my goal , along the way met so many great inspirational people . May 2015 my first ever competitive run the Colchester 10k Tabbing , loved it and ever since that day my aim is to keep getting fitter , enjoy running and if I can help anyone reach there goals along the way I will , I love to run , run for fun x
70 Sue Foley
I’m Sue aka Purplepants. I was born in Colchester and have always lived locally. I started running at 50…yes, I can’t believe I’m that age either 
I was inspired to start after watching VMLM from Tower Bridge in 2014. I joined parkrun, and set about preparing to run in London the following year. I’m a social runner and love nothing more than joining with friends for a good catch up. I also run with the Jammers from Jogging Made Easy. You’ll recognise us at parkrun from the ‘whoop whoop’ sound! In 2017 I’m proudly running at VMLM for a local Charity MS-UK. My challenge following this will be the Stour Valley Marathon in June. I made it my goal last October to achieve a sub 5 hour Marathon at Chelmsford. This was only possible with the great support of some Running Colchester friends. I took part at Colchester 10k last year for the first time when like several others, I was caught out by the heat. I’m rambling now….apologies folks
Tail Runner – Linzi
Linzi is our tail runner and is full of enthusiasm and encouragement for those who might possibly struggle at the rear of the pack. Linzi sums up the tru spirit of athletics and will stay with you until the end.
We would like to thank Lucy and her Running Colchester Facebook Group for providing the pacers for our event.