Meet the Coaches

Lee Merrien

 

Lee Merrien

Lee is the founder and main coordinator of Lee Merrien Running and as well as an active coach and former international runner.

Since his graduation from the University of Bath in 2004 Lee has been actively worked in the fitness industry, although he has been involved in athletics and running since he was very young and actively in coaching for over 15 years.

As an athlete Lee has represented Guernsey, England & Great Britain on numerous occasions. After starting out as a middle distance track runner he progressed to the longer distances, earning his first Great Britain vest over cross country but ultimately found his calling at the marathon.

Lee finished as the 1st British runner at both the 2011 & 2012 Virgin London Marathons and in so doing winning the Jim Peters Trophy. The latter was in a personal best time of 2 hours 13 minutes 41 seconds and was subsequently selected for the Great Britain team at the 2012 London Olympic Games where he finished in 30th place.

In terms of coaching & group training Lee’s Running Groups have been in operation since 2008. Although Lee has been coaching and helping athletes from school ages as well complete beginners through to elite level standard during his time in the sport with athletes of national standard and having earned Commonwealth Games representation for Guernsey.

  • HND in Coach Education & Sports Performance (University of Bath)
    UK Athletics Qualified Coach – Endurance (level 3)
    NASM Performance Enhancement Specialist
    Sports Coach UK Coaching Young Performers

Some coaching highlights & info:
Experience of working with runners from complete beginners to elite level.
Worked closely with runners over 800m (1.51 for men & 2.08 for women) 5000m (16.31 for women) as well as the Marathon (2hr 29 for men) at a higher level to first timer runners and experienced runners of all levels over 5km through to the full marathon.
Experience leading group sessions at club level and through Lee Merrien Running group sessions.
Has coached a wide range of abilities on a one to one basis (both men and women).

  • 30th in 2012 London Olympic Games Marathon
  • 8th at the 2010 European Championship Marathon
  • 22nd at the 2011 World Championships Marathon
  • First Britan at 2011 & 2012 London Marathons
  • Represented Great Britain at Cross Country at 2009 World XC, 2008 Euro XC
  • Four time Guernsey Commonwealth Games representative 2002, 2006, 2010 & 2018.
  • 9 times Island Games Gold Medallist
  • PB time of 2:13:41 at Marathon distance as well as being a Sub 4 minute miler.
  • Guernsey Island record holder for 1500m, the Mile, 3000m, 5000m, 10,000m, Half Marathon & Marathon

Paul Ingrouille

Started coaching whilst still running, as essentially a ‘Group leader’ 35 years ago and has since taken coaching qualifications up to the current UKA ‘Endurance Event Group’ (Level 3) but is also an avid student of the sport and keeps up to date with coaching developments via various sources.

Has been coaching with LMR since 2011 but also has experience coaching age groups 15+ at Guernsey AC since 2007 specialising in middle distances. ‘I particularly enjoy the contact with athletes on a regular basis and feel that coaching such a wide base allows me to share experiences that transfer from the wider community to individual athletes’.
Paul or ‘Ingy’ as he is affectionately known, has been running competitively since a teenager in the 1970’s, with a host of impressive times to his name on both the track and the road. Long before the recent upsurge in popularity of longer distance trail races though he is still the proud owner of the Guernsey long cliff path record (now called the DogBreaker).
Ingy is also a qualified track official and can also be regularly heard on the mic through his announcing and commentary roles in the sport.

Ulrike Maisch

Ulli has been involved with LMR since summer 2021 and regularly assists with our various groups as well as our ‘Get into running’ courses.

A qualified personal trainer and level 1 football coach but much of Ulli’s experience comes from her high-level running background. Ulli was actually a multi-events athlete in heptathlon in her junior athletics day but would go to become a German International distance runner at the highest level! Firstly as a junior on the track but then later over the marathon going to compete at various European and Worlds championships as well as the 2004 Olympics Games in Athens. Quite possibly though the best performance coming in the 2006 European Championships in Gothenburg where she became European Champion over the marathon, running a PB in the process of 2hr 30 and 1second.
‘The great thing about coaching is watching the athlete improve in their sport and achieving goals, adding to a happier, healthier and more confident individual’
‘LMR session are very social, often entertaining and a great atmosphere. I enjoy catching up with the members each week and supporting them in their running journeys’

Nicola Steele-Moore

Originally both my sons showed an interest in running from young age and joined the Guernsey Athletics Club. This sparked my involvement in the sport once again and before I knew I started helping out with the club. 

To better support the young athletes, I pursued further qualifications in coaching. I also took part in the training which was provided free each year prior to the Race for Life. This training inspired our all-year-round weekly training sessions.
Over time, the training sessions, initially under the athletics club’s banner, transitioned to Lee Merrien Running. I began assisting with coaching with the group and have continued to support the group ever since. Through running and coaching, I have forged some of my closest friendships. I take immense pleasure in encouraging others to take up running, knowing firsthand the welcoming and friendly environment our groups offer.
I participate regularly in our Saturday morning group sessions which have significantly positively impacted my own running efforts. I find that running with a group enhances my motivation and enjoyment of the sport. My journey with the Lee Merrien Training Group has been deeply fulfilling, both as a coach and as a runner.

Lee Merrien Running

Lee Merrien Running is a Guernsey based running coaching business co-ordinated by London 2012 Olympian Lee Merrien.

We offer a variety of running groups based here in Guernsey as well as online coaching services and other running related services such as personalised training plans, consultations to help get your running on track as well as conditioning sessions for runners.

Lee Merrien Running Groups started out back in 2008 but has expanded to range of different on island running groups but all geared to encouraging and catering for those either not part of a running club or indeed those looking to progress their running to the next level.

We have groups for all abilities from those getting into running for the first time to those with higher level aspirations with their running. We aim to cater for all abilities and actively try to encourage more people into running. We are passionate about running and love nothing more than to see runners fulfil their goals and ambitions.