top of page
Original_edited_edited_edited.jpg
Brian Stopher Running Coach

Brian Stopher - Coach

Experience and Qualifications

BEd. (HONS) Secondary PE Teaching degree with QTS

19 years experience in PE and Sports Coaching

30 years experience in distance running

UK Athletics-Qualified LiRF and CiRF

UK Athletics Safeguarding & First Aid

UK Athletics Logo

Coached Events

Below is a list of some of the events Brian has successfully coached athletes for;

Marathons 

London Marathon 

Brighton Marathon 

Boston Marathon  

Chicago Marathon 

Eton Dorney Marathon

Richmond Marathon

Manchester Marathon

Chester Marathon

Berlin Marathon

Valencia Marathon

International Events

English Schools XC Cup

GB Trials XC

British National XC 

2022 European Biathle Championships (Bronze)

2023 World Championships Laser Run and Biathle

1/2 Marathons 

The Big Half, London 

Fleet 1/2 Marathon 

Farnborough Winter 1/2 Marathon  

Dorney Lake 1/2 Marathon 

Oxford 1/2 Marathon

Colchester 1/2 Marathon

Hampton Court Palace 1/2 Marathon

Sheffield 1/2 Marathon

Windsor 1/2 Marathon

Surrey 1/2 Marathon

Other events

Maverick Trail Series

Vitality 10000, London

Fleet 10K

Yateley 10K Series  

Great South Run

Hull 10K

Stubbington 10K

Race To Remember (36km)

​Coaching Philosophy

I love running. There I've said it. The sport courses through my body and has been a major part of my life, whether it be performance, physical benefits, lifelong friendships or more recently for mental health. From my early years as a junior, to coaching my first group of athletes, as well as teaching and developing schools teams to National success, I have never lost focus on what is important. Enjoyment, desire, effort and determination are elements I pass on or develop within my coaching groups.

 

I have been coaching for many years but more recently as founder and owner of PB Coach before joining forces with Andy and creating Destination RUN Coaching. PB Coach allowed us to create the building blocks for Destination RUN Coaching which we both feel can offer more to you as an athlete and develop all aspects of your training to a greater extent.

​

Community in an individual sport is really important to me and that is a key philosophy of my coaching and our business. Support and encouragement for each other is something I actively promote within our community, whether it would be pacing for a race, sharing ideas and strategies or simply providing social events. Developing that team mindset in an individual sport is what is crucial for success.

​

Running has many advantages for each person and those that are new to running should feel comfortable in their surroundings. I really enjoy getting to know what makes runners tick and helping them achieve beyond their goals. At Destination RUN you will always feel supported and that is what we put at the heart of our coaching.

​

Come and see what we are about and hopefully that passion will rub off on you too.

​

My Running Background

Like many other runners my journey started at secondary school. A passionate and inspirational PE teacher guided me on a path that quickly led to individual and team success at school level and later at National and International level through Aldershot, Farnham and District AC.

​

For me the social aspect was huge and being around like minded people and making lifelong friends was the difference. Our work ethic, competitiveness and determination brought success as a team at County, Regional and National level. Selection for 7 English Schools Championships, the GB National Team and becoming a British Record Holder cemented my passion and thirst for personal development and also helping and inspiring the younger athletes at the club.

​

Through the age groups we gained success on all surfaces and PB's came thick and fast. Further National titles and a few International trips to Belgium and France fuelled my passion for this amazing sport. As I progressed through my career in teaching and the effects of a full time job took their toll I felt a progression through the distances was needed and I dabbled with training and the longer events before my coaching started taking over.

​

Lifetime PB's

800m: 1:51

1500m/Mile: 3:52/4.11

5K: 14:40

10K: 30:30

10 miles: 54:30

1/2 Marathon: 1:15

Marathon - 2:55

​​

bottom of page