Here’s Brian Smith, the Mr Motivator of our training sessions. He’s trained as a Run Leader and is renewing his qualification with Haxby Runners. Brian is logistics manager for an agrichemical company called Procam, a farming business. He says: “I’ve worked myself up from driver to the boss, lol.”

Where are you from?

I’m originally from Brompton near Northallerton where I grew up on my grandad’s farm, then moved to Dalton near Thirsk. I lived there until I was 18, then Thirsk and now Haxby.

How long have you been running and what got you into running in the first place?

I’ve been running all my life really, well football was my passion, I played every day as a kid and had trials at county level. Obviously never made it, injuries took their toll on me, so I became a referee, really enjoyed it and got to level 4. I hated long distance running, I was built for sprinting. Then a neighbour said, why don’t you come along to Thirsk and Sowerby Harriers, and the rest is history .

What do you like doing when you’re not running ?

My passion is still football. I’m a massive Leeds United fan, and I’ve been all over the world watching them. Memories made that you never forget. My partner Nicola, who’s a Geordie, says I’ll watch any football; she’s probably right. We both love live music and have been to hundreds of gigs, big Shed Seven fans, seen Madness 17 times, love all the Britpop scene. But I’ll listen to all sorts of music. I like my holidays too; I’m a sun worshipper.

Favourite events and distance?

Have to say favourite was the Great North Run. I’ve done it five times now, and made some fantastic friends through that event.

The race or event you’re most proud of ?

Again, it’s the Great North Run. Nicola and I ran it for the Stroke Association after my dad had a stroke a few years back, so it was nice to give something back . Nicola was apparently “dying” from three miles in, but we got round, happy to say. My parkrun pb is 22.57, ten years ago at Darlington; no chance now! My 10k pb is 48.06; could never break the 48 mins.

Any kit hints, favourite shoes?

I used to wear Brooks trainers, but over the years I’ve probably used all makes, still searching for the right pair.

Have you run with other clubs ?

I started with Thirsk and Sowerby Harriers , then joined Knavesmire Harriers when I first moved to York as I lived that side of York .

What’s good about being part of a club?

I hated running alone. I love to talk, as people know. In a race I’d talk all the way through and people would say, how the hell do you do it, but then thank me for getting them round. Haxby is such a great little friendly club, none of the cliqueyness you get in bigger clubs, which is great .

Running ambitions?

Just to keep plodding on for as long as I can. Speedy days have gone now but I do enjoy it more now, I love to encourage fellow runners and to try get the best out of them, even if sometimes they curse me for going faster with the 2/1 option. It’s all for your own benefit.