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David Chalfen

Angela H, 38, London

 I started running regularly in 2001. By then I was in training for my first marathon, a long-held ambition. Although I was putting in the miles each week, reaching around 70 maximum, there was little structure involved and my time in London was 3hrs 17mins.
Dave started coaching me in October 2003 and introduced me to a structured training programme, based around my next ambition, a sub 3-hour marathon. The junk miles were dropped and a much more varied and satisfying way of training began. It was tough to begin with (and it stays tough!) but the rewards came with improved race times from 3k on the track to the marathon which has gradually improved to 2.49 and included wins in both the Edinburgh City and San Sebastian International Marathons.
Dave's strengths as a coach lie in his depth of knowledge and in his capacity to acquire new knowledge and stay abreast of current thinking. He is flexible with the training schedule whenever adaptations are required and he is open to feedback and responds to my opinions on what I feel works and what might need adjusting. Mostly, though, I trust what he tells me to do, because of the results I have seen. With the training being so varied, I stay motivated and Dave often comes along to races to give support, as well as offering advice on which races to enter. He gives generously of his time.

In April 2007 Angela again ran 2.49 on a hot day in the Flora London Marathon, placing 22nd in the Women's elite race. Her club won gold medals in the National Team Championship event that the event includes. In 2008 she ran 2.50 in the London Marathon and early in 2009 ran 80.20 for a half marathon on Scotland. She moved back to Scotland in 2010.

Bryn, 22, Oxford University and London

I've now been working with David for two and a half years. In that time he's helped me develop from an extremely raw athlete into a much more complete package. Faster, stronger and more resilient to injury. He is very adroit at working together on a training program with me, rather than simply dictating, which as an adult athlete strongly interested in the sport and effective training methods I find very useful. That said as an athlete whose enthusiasm often leads me to injuries he is very strong at recognising and holding me back when appropriate and adjudicating between when I need to do something a little risky to when it is downright ridiculous (wanting to bump my training up recklessly). He combines a high level of technical knowledge with the ability to translate it into effective training schedules which is rare.

Importantly, David always has time and you genuinely sense that he cares a great deal. Dealing with injuries and disappointments due to existing biomechanical issues has been tough at times but he has always been a constant positive influence and helped keep me in the sport leading to some very pleasing performances.

His strong sense of humour helps me to keep my running in perspective and look at the bigger picture as we incorporate training into my everyday life. We have to a great degree always had a guiding vision as we are fairly certain that my best event will be the marathon. Having begun my athletics career with a 10k of 61:42 and having now run 31.37 with serious intentions towards 30:00 I'm confident that David is the best coach for the job.

Bryn has recently achieved PBs including good progress to run 69.52 in the Reading  Half Marathon 2010 and a breakthrough to 31.37 in the Eastleigh 10k. He made his debut in the 2010 London Marathon and ran 2.31.16, and was the youngest runner amongst all the Top 100 finishers, and the first British under-23.

Sarah,39, London

During 2007 I helped advise, by email, Matt Norminton, in Canada, in preparation for the Ottawa Marathon in May 2007, in which he improved his PB from 2.25 to 2.20.52.  Matt states "Having had David look over my own training several times I can attest that he always has good suggestions and practical ideas to improve things. Sometimes this can be as simple as asking me to reevaluate why I am doing something or if I could do things slightly differently. Thanks for all of your help David and I look forward to having you look things over for me as I get ready for my next marathon" 

Other women he has coached have achieved the following performances:

• 2005 Middlesex senior X Country champion, 9th in Southern X Country Champs and 17.11 5000m track; 
• 28.58 for 5 miles, 17.15 for 5000m track and 81.00  hilly 1/2 marathon;
• 15th in 2005 World Mountain Trophy Race and 3rd in Yorkshire senior X Country Championships;

Dave Newport

Alex Felce, 21, Stroud, Gloucestershire

5k Road - 14:59  10 Mile – 53:40

Tom Lowe, 29, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire

PBs: 5km - 14:44   5 Miles - 24:29   10km - 30:34

Dave Roper, 23, Northleach, Gloucestershire

PBs: 5km - 15:08  10km - 31:38

Claire Conway, 21, Hereford

PBs:   3000m - 10:30   5km Road - 18:01   5Miles - 29:52   1/2M - 1:25:51

Rhys Park, 15, Hereford

Emily Merrick, 18, Ledbury, Herefordshire

Jon Norris, 21, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire

PBs: 1500m - 4:04  10km - 32:15

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