Behind every great running club, is a group of amazing volunteers who keep everything running smoothly.
Club Chair
Tom Arkle
Club Founder -A resident of Chessington, Tom was the ideas man that started the club. If we build it they will come.
Club SECRETARY
Hi! I’m Maria. I started running in 2011. My biggest running achievement is running London marathon twice (2014 and 2019). I have always been a social runner, and love how through running I have met so many wonderful people I would have not met otherwise. In 2024 I had to cut my running due to injury. These days you can find me walking or running slowly, at the gym, and definitely at parkrun. I enjoy being part of the committee as it keeps me connected with what’s going on at the club. If you see me around, come say hello!
Welfare Officer
Kimmy Daplyn
I joined CURC in January 2022 having just managed one 10k, roll on 4 years and you have influenced me into completing 13 event half marathons and three marathons, including London and Brighton. This year I am embracing the ultra life with Shore to Sea 50k, from Surrey to Brighton
MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY
I am Nigel Lee, a retired P.G.A. Advanced Golf Professional and Level 3 Golf Coach of 50 years. The greater part of my time was spent coaching the game, I love. A former P.G.A. South Region ‘Coach of the Year’, l was privileged to work with some European Tour players but most of my time was helping struggling golfers. My philosophy was simple “I teach golf to people, not people golf”. My introduction to club running started in mid-2018 and completed my first parkrun around that time. Being more of a speed walker, than a runner. I’m usually near the back of the field and I have experienced the gruelling side of entering events, by completing 3 marathons. Now, being on the committee, hope my 5 years’ experience of being Kent P.G.A. Chairman, will help.
Club Treasurer
I am Carol Smith (aka “Lippy”), retired Chartered Accountant, wife, mother of four grown up boys
and a grandmother. One of Kevin Stone’s Zero to Hero members, I ran my first Kingston parkrun in October 2016. I have since achieved new running goals, from 10K, through 10 miles to half marathons, my maximum distance being 16 miles. I am a qualified run leader and when time allows (being retired I have a lot of holidays!) I enjoy helping others to enjoy their club runs. I like combining races with a bit of foreign travel and sightseeing with my running friends. I love
the social side of running in a group and I love my club’s diversity and inclusivity. Running boosts my mood, gives me energy and allows me to have the odd glass of fizz without worrying about my weight!
Social Media Champion
I’m Jakki – I’ve been running for 10 years since I completed the first Zero to Hero course in 2016. My favourite race is the Hogsmill Ladies 5. I love to create content and love being the club’s Social Media Rep!
Club Captain
Hi, I am Bev Gow. I helped establish the club in 2021. I started running very late in life but have made up for it with several marathons, half marathons, and a triathlon under my belt. I also went onto become an EA qualified coach in running and lead weekly club strength training classes. I am a big fan of the inclusivity of parkrun so also volunteer as the parkrun North Surrey Ambassador. I am also a big fan of open water swimming, and will try and convince you to join me.
Club Social Secretary
Hi, I’m Lee and I’m currently the club social secretary. I’ve been running since 2023 when I completed my Zero 2 Hero course and have been running since having run the cabbage patch 10 last year for my furthest distance yet. I might, one day, do a half. I regularly run lead and favour 3-4 miles. However as the committee position states, I love a social. In truth its easy to do as a lot of club members also like a drink. If you see me at the bar, come say hi!!
Welfare Officer
I started running in 2018 after Z2H and somehow went from “let’s give this a go” to seven marathons! I’m a pocket rocket who loves running in the rain but hates hills with a passion! I am a run leader at CURC and enjoying helping our members get faster, stronger, and more confident with their running. I’m also the Run Director at Kingston parkrun, where I get a huge buzz from volunteering and giving back to the community. Alongside welfare, I’m passionate about supporting others and using running as an excuse to raise money for charity.
Ordinary Member
I am Mark Short, I tried and failed multiple times to get into running, that was until 2020 when I forced myself and booked a half marathon. I managed to get into a bit of a routine and ran the half marathon just before lockdown but unfortunately got injured and then didn’t run again for over a year. After that I tried and failed to get back into it numerous times. This was until I got dragged along to a CURC run in June 2023 and haven’t looked back since. With the help and encouragement of people in the club I’ve been able to keep up the running. I became a Run Leader in 2024 and then joined the Committee in 2025. I love getting out the house and clearing my head. Having a nice chat with other runners and forget I’m actually running!
Ordinary Member
I started running in 2019, although I’ve always been an active person. After facing injuries and other health issues, I had to take some time away from running and eventually spent a whole year out. In late 2024, I saw a social media post about a local running club launching a “Zero to Hero” course, so I decided to sign up — and I’ve never looked back. Having previously done all my running alone, discovering the support, encouragement, and friendships that come with running with CURC completely changed my experience of the sport. I joined Chessington Unity in April 2025 and became more involved within the club. After a few months, I became a run leader, and in May/June 2026 I joined the committee. I joined Chessington Unity in April 2025 and became more involved within the club. After a few months, I became a run leader, and in May/June 2026 I joined the committee. Most Saturdays you’ll find me at a parkrun, currently enjoying some touring as I work towards completing the Cowell Club challenge.
The Committee meets the first Thursday of every month to work through a standard agenda which includes – welfare concerns, run leading feedback, accounts, membership status and any upcoming social or running events.
The meeting minutes are available for all club members upon request from our Club Secretary – secretary @ unityrunningclub.co.uk.
All members can raise topics for the committee to discuss . Welfare concerns can be raised directly with the welfare officers in person or by email welfare @ unityrunningclub.co.uk