Meet The Coaches
George Lees
About Me
I’ve been running since my early 20s. Initially, my focus was on fitness, competition and setting PBs. But, over time, I realise that the best things about running have been the friends made and amazing experiences shared, not least though Beacon Runners.
Running and the Beacon Runners
I’ve been with Beacon Runners from the very start, in 1999, when I shared the coaching responsibilities with Steve Wombwell. They haven’t got rid of me yet.
Racing
I’ve done everything from 5ks to ultramarathons and every distance in between. For many years, my passion was hill-racing (aka fell-racing) and my favourite event ‘The Ben’ race (Ben Nevis), the descent of which has to be one of the scariest running experiences out there.
Biggest Running Achievement
Apart from not coming a cropper running down Ben Nevis (well, only once), probably achieving Tranter’s Round (18 Munros round Glen Nevis) in a day with friends from Beacon Runners and Pitreavie AAC.
Claire Howie
About Me
I’ve always run from my school days, when 800m and 1500m were my events. Having also swum as a youngster, I signed up for my first triathlon in 2002 and that’s when I really got into my running. It’s such an important part of my life – aside from keeping me fit, it’s a big part of how I socialise and spend time with my friends and family.
Running and the Beacon Runners
I first joined the Beacon Runners back in 2010 before moving to the Highlands for a few years. I re-joined in 2023 and it’s been brilliant to be back! Since becoming one of the club’s coaches in October 2025, I’ve loved having the chance to help out and give something back to the best club in the world.
Racing
I’m a regular at Parkrun most Saturdays – I just love everything about it. There’s something at Parkrun for everyone, no matter their pace or goals. These days, 10k is my favourite race distance. I’ve run around a dozen half marathons over the years, but have never been tempted to go any further than that!
Biggest Running Achievement
My proudest running achievement was setting my half marathon PB at Loch Leven, just a week after my 40th birthday.
David Lyon
Karen Young
About Me
I loved athletics as a teenager and was a keen sprinter and hurdler, never running further than 400m competitively. How times change! Fast forward to being a parent of three, heading for forty and my love for distance running began, thanks to Beacon Runners.
Running and the Beacon Runners
I joined Beacon Runners around 2002, and barring a couple of absent spells due to injury, I've been a regular at the club ever since, mainly due to the friendly atmosphere and great camaraderie that exists, as well as the huge improvement it has made to my running. I began coaching in early 2022.
Racing
I love the wide range of distance races that exist. I've completed all distances from 10ks to ultramarathons, and everything in between over a great variety of terrains. I do love a road marathon and have completed over 20, but I also can't resist a scenic hilly Scottish ultramarathon, although my age and knees are controlling my choices a little more these days! Relays and team events are always a highlight too, nothing better than a good day out with your running mates.
Biggest Running Achievement
I was amazed and delighted to win my age category and get on the podium in my first ever ultra, The Devil of the Highlands, which I've now run three times. Another very memorable achievement was running with Dame Kelly Holmes in Malawi for a week as part of a small charity event. That was pretty special too!
Lisa Johnstone
About Me
I did a bit of indoor and outdoor running at school. But it was when I decided to get healthier after finishing uni that I started running more regularly. Now keeping fit, well and healthy is really important to me and running is a big part of that.
Running and the Beacon Runners
I joined Beacon Runners when I moved to Burntisland in 2004 to meet people and have enjoyed coming along ever since. The very supportive, friendly atmosphere and it has given me so much confidence with my running which I am very grateful for. I became a coach in 2017 to hopefully give something back to the club.
Racing
I have enjoyed competing in a small number of different styles and distances of races, but my favourite is something with a bit of a hill at any distance.
Biggest Running Achievement
I have somehow managed a couple of podium spots in trail marathons and ultra marathons. But completing 100 miles round Fife for my 40th birthday in the middle of 2020 (as we weren’t allowed a party) with the support of my husband, kids along with George and Shan was amazing too.
Neil MacNicol
About Me
UKA and Lydiard Endurance coach. I left the 9-5 in 2015 to set myself up as a running coach and massage therapist at Run Recover. I started helping out at Beacon runners around the same time.
Running and the Beacon Runners
Running started for me at the occasional highland games as a youngster. I’ve been with Beacon Runners from around 2013 and started helping with leading sessions in 2015.
Racing
I completed a few half’s and marathons before moving into the Ultramarathon distance game in 2011. That’s my favoured distance now, the longer and hillier the better for me, walk breaks, snack breaks, what’s not to like?
Biggest Running Achievement
Somehow managed to nab Scottish Ultra Trail Champ 2014. Another exceptional day out was when everyone ran slower than me at the Lakeland 50 in 2023, almost topped by completing the Bob Graham round a couple of months later, All great days on the trails.
Rory Watson
About Me
I started running to get a bit fitter (as you do!) and enjoyed it enough that I'm still doing it now. Alongside coaching the Beacon Runners I'm also a Run Director at Kirkcaldy parkrun. I love meeting new people and encouraging them with their running so both of those things are great ways to do that.
Running and the Beacon Runners
I started running in 2016 and joined the Beacon Runners in the same year. I started coaching in 2025.
Racing
I've run races from 10km to ultramarathons. As I mentioned I'm a big parkrunner, so 5km is my most common distance! (tho officially parkrun isn't a race!)
Biggest Running Achievement
I've run 3 marathons which have all been good learning experiences (aka didn't go to plan!) but one of them was the New York Marathon in 2025 which was an amazing experience.