MEET THE COMMITTEE

Amanda

Diesel and I have been competing as a team for nearly 6yrs. As keen and competitive canicrossers we have enjoyed various events together. We also have fun in other disciplines from Bikejor, SUP, Kayaking Swimming and even dog tri sports which include Swim/Bike/Run or the canine equivalent of this swim/bikjor/canicross.

My proudest being the dog triathlon where we Kayaked, Biked and canicross. We also won the stunning trailscape series 2015-2016 10k series in the North, South, East and West. Another highlight was the New Forest running festival where again we got a podium finish and finally where we attended a NSDC sled dog event amongst all the Siberian Huskys there I was with my little spaniel.

If you look at the link https://tailrunnersessex.com/about/ read more about our journey and how we formed the club.

I am so proud of everyone past and present who has made us what we are today. Our mission has always been to have fun and run with our dogs in a safe and friendly environment. If we can get one more dog running off a neck collar and into the correct equipment and watch how they develop and progress as a team we are winning. You can join us for regular meets or one offs and you will always be met with a warm and furry welcome”

Tony

I started up running in about 2014, when we started doing obstacle races. I wanted to have the fitness to be able to complete obstacles whilst being fit enough to run the course as well. It was a natural progression that when Fred arrived, he would be joining us on runs. After the first time I clipped in to him, I was instantly hooked on the sport!

A little about Fred… He is a rescue Springer Spaniel, and reactive to new dogs. He doesn’t seem to have been socialised so doesn’t like other dogs at first. Due to this, he only goes off lead when there are no dogs around, so to run canicross with him is the next best thing. Everyone in the club gives him the space he needs, which in turn, allows him to be comfortable in the presence of all the dogs.

My time with Tailrunners started early in 2019, where Amanda made me instantly comfortable with the group. I have run various roles within groups, from lead running, leading the mid groups and tail running to make sure everyone is safe when out with us.

As for my canicross experience… well I started out as a bit of fun to keep fit, which has progressed to competing at events. Our first event together was an aquathon where we finished second overall, although I do see myself more as a completer, and as long as Fred is happy, I am too.

We love running together and that bond remains as strong as ever, and with the Tailrunners family around us, we will go on to achieve big and better things.

Steve

I started my love for canine sports in 2011 mainly in agility, over the years I managed to win trophies and zooming up the grades from 1 – almost by a whisker grade 5 with my then super star Kajika. Having the bond with your dog and achieving this level of greatness is second to none. Unfortunately she passed at the age of 5 years and therefore my competitive career came to an end.

I then after a time bought my super Belgian Shepard Malinois to start the sport again. It was at an agility show that I’m bumped into my amazing friend from school Amanda Perriman. She introduced me to Canicross, we literally had 1 training session and then life matters got in the way and had to wait many more years before I was able to get a dog and train for Canicross, Bikejor and Swim.
Amanda and Diesel helped through a very tough time and have now been boyfriend and girlfriend for about 3 years. I’ve found my soul mate and also an immense love for sports with our dogs again!

We bought Ripley (Large Munsterlander) in May 2017 and have been Canicrossing and Bikejoring with her for about 6 months and hitting some really impressive targets and goals! I think if I can do Ripley justice we will achieve some amazing things. She is my canine heart and spurs me on to try my best for her and promote this wonderful club which Amanda established with the care, commitment, effort and love.

I am proud to be a member of such an inspirational club who’s members one and all make it what it is today. EPIC!!,

Alison

My life with tail runners started 5 years ago with my beloved dog Douglas (aka ratpig). He loved to run and had bundles of energy and I wanted to channel that energy in a positive way for him. We found Amanda and joined a run, from that first run he was hooked. Sadly I lost my boy last year and found myself taking on a rescue dog, Merrill. Amanda and the whole tail runners family have taken her under their wing and all welcomed her with open paws to the group. She has thoroughly loved the club and embraced her new life and canicross .

My big dream for her is to embrace the water as that’s my passion.

My background in health and fitness started as a child where I competed for my county in athletics and studied dance. I have continued to enjoy running (and dance) all these years later. I have studied health, fitness and the basis of human movement at the university of east London and have taught group fitness for 15 years, classes ranging from water based exercise, dance, group cycling Pilates and sports conditioning.

I love the great outdoors and really enjoy open water swimming and OCR racing.

I am so proud and excited to be part of the development of the club in these areas and Cannot wait to get wet and muddy with you all.

Luke

I have owned and raced sled dogs for the last 10 years. I started off as a pet owner, but it soon turned into a full-on hobby with most of my autumn, winter and spring spent racing up and down the country and occasionally worldwide. It doesn’t stop over the summer however with the dogs being trained all year round to keep them fit and healthy. They just love what they do and so do I.

I love being fit and healthy and that naturally pushes me to push myself. When I’m not running dogs, or at work, I will be at CrossFit working on my fitness. You can’t expect your dogs to be fit and not be willing to put the work in yourself!

I first came across tailrunners at a club run over Hadleigh Country Park many years ago, and although I had done lots with my dogs on a rig, bike and cart I hadn’t done much canicross. So, I got my kit together and went and met Amanda & Diesel and off we went. A great introduction to tailrunners and I never looked back.

When I was asked to be part of the committee I didn’t have to think about the answer, it was a yes as I know Amanda and the team will always put the dogs first. I look forward to helping the club grow and seeing what the future holds.

Amanda

Tony
I started up running in about 2014, when we started doing obstacle races. I wanted to have the fitness to be able to complete obstacles whilst being fit enough to run the course as well. It was a natural progression that when Fred arrived, he would be joining us on runs. After the first time I clipped in to him, I was instantly hooked on the sport!

A little about Fred… He is a rescue Springer Spaniel, and reactive to new dogs. He doesn’t seem to have been socialised so doesn’t like other dogs at first. Due to this, he only goes off lead when there are no dogs around, so to run canicross with him is the next best thing. Everyone in the club gives him the space he needs, which in turn, allows him to be comfortable in the presence of all the dogs.

My time with Tailrunners started early in 2019, where Amanda made me instantly comfortable with the group. I have run various roles within groups, from lead running, leading the mid groups and tail running to make sure everyone is safe when out with us.

As for my canicross experience… well I started out as a bit of fun to keep fit, which has progressed to competing at events. Our first event together was an aquathon where we finished second overall, although I do see myself more as a completer, and as long as Fred is happy, I am too.

We love running together and that bond remains as strong as ever, and with the Tailrunners family around us, we will go on to achieve big and better things.

Steve

I started my love for canine sports in 2011 mainly in agility, over the years I managed to win trophies and zooming up the grades from 1 – almost by a whisker grade 5 with my then super star Kajika. Having the bond with your dog and achieving this level of greatness is second to none. Unfortunately she passed at the age of 5 years and therefore my competitive career came to an end.

I then after a time bought my super Belgian Shepard Malinois to start the sport again. It was at an agility show that I’m bumped into my amazing friend from school Amanda Perriman. She introduced me to Canicross, we literally had 1 training session and then life matters got in the way and had to wait many more years before I was able to get a dog and train for Canicross, Bikejor and Swim.
Amanda and Diesel helped through a very tough time and have now been boyfriend and girlfriend for about 3 years. I’ve found my soul mate and also an immense love for sports with our dogs again!

We bought Ripley (Large Munsterlander) in May 2017 and have been Canicrossing and Bikejoring with her for about 6 months and hitting some really impressive targets and goals! I think if I can do Ripley justice we will achieve some amazing things. She is my canine heart and spurs me on to try my best for her and promote this wonderful club which Amanda established with the care, commitment, effort and love.

I am proud to be a member of such an inspirational club who’s members one and all make it what it is today. EPIC!!,

Alison

My life with tail runners started 5 years ago with my beloved dog Douglas (aka ratpig). He loved to run and had bundles of energy and I wanted to channel that energy in a positive way for him. We found Amanda and joined a run, from that first run he was hooked. Sadly I lost my boy last year and found myself taking on a rescue dog, Merrill. Amanda and the whole tail runners family have taken her under their wing and all welcomed her with open paws to the group. She has thoroughly loved the club and embraced her new life and canicross .

My big dream for her is to embrace the water as that’s my passion.

My background in health and fitness started as a child where I competed for my county in athletics and studied dance. I have continued to enjoy running (and dance) all these years later. I have studied health, fitness and the basis of human movement at the university of east London and have taught group fitness for 15 years, classes ranging from water based exercise, dance, group cycling Pilates and sports conditioning.

I love the great outdoors and really enjoy open water swimming and OCR racing.

I am so proud and excited to be part of the development of the club in these areas and Cannot wait to get wet and muddy with you all.

Luke

I have owned and raced sled dogs for the last 10 years. I started off as a pet owner, but it soon turned into a full-on hobby with most of my autumn, winter and spring spent racing up and down the country and occasionally worldwide. It doesn’t stop over the summer however with the dogs being trained all year round to keep them fit and healthy. They just love what they do and so do I.

I love being fit and healthy and that naturally pushes me to push myself. When I’m not running dogs, or at work, I will be at CrossFit working on my fitness. You can’t expect your dogs to be fit and not be willing to put the work in yourself!

I first came across tailrunners at a club run over Hadleigh Country Park many years ago, and although I had done lots with my dogs on a rig, bike and cart I hadn’t done much canicross. So, I got my kit together and went and met Amanda & Diesel and off we went. A great introduction to tailrunners and I never looked back.

When I was asked to be part of the committee I didn’t have to think about the answer, it was a yes as I know Amanda and the team will always put the dogs first. I look forward to helping the club grow and seeing what the future holds.