An East Cheshire Harriers coach has been recognised for his commitment to sport after being named as runner-up in the Active Tameside Sport and Physical Activity Awards.

Glenn Piper boats an experience that spans over four decades, and now he uses his expertise to train future stars.

Glenn was overjoyed to learn that he had been nominated for the award, so when he heard that he had been chosen as a runner up, he couldn’t quite believe it.

“I had no idea that I’d been nominated, it was all done silently without me knowing and It felt great to be recognised.

“Michelle Vaughan had been doing it all in secret and I didn’t get a whiff of it at all. I was really pleased to just have been nominated,” Glenn said.

Coaching seniors within the club, Glenn prepares athletes for track, road, cross country and fell races.

With some impeccable talent within his team, Glenn loves the satisfaction he feels when he sees his athletes achieving personal best times.

“I’ve been a teacher most of my life and it’s the same feeling I get when students progress.

“There are amazing athletes like Michelle in the squad. But there’s other members, like Sam, who used to do 22-minute ParkRuns and is now doing them in 18.

“Some results aren’t going to break any headlines, but just having that progress is amazing,” Glenn said.

Proud to be at East Cheshire, Glenn says if a runner wants to improve, then there is a place for them within a team, no matter what speed they run at.

A successful athlete in his younger years, Glenn says he achieved some great times and still wants to be involved within running.

“I get such great pleasure in seeing people improve. When I was younger, I had some amazing coaches who gave up their time to train me.

“Now I feel like it’s my turn to give back to a sport that has given me so much.”

As an athlete, Glenn’s preferred event was steeplechase. Proving successful in that discipline, he recalls a competition where he realised just how great he was.

“I was mainly a track runner. One year we attended the County Championships and that was at Crystal Palace, an amazing venue.

“I was ranked in the top 50 in the country in the 1980s, it was such an incredible race, and I loved every minute of it,” Glenn said.

Now, he gives his time to create these dream scenarios for other athletes. Organising weekly sessions and creating bespoke training plans, Glenn coaches his team for a plethora of events, from marathons to 5ks.

East Cheshire Harriers is proudly home to so many impeccable coaches, offering their time to bring joy to so many.

The Active Tameside Sport and Physical Activity Awards aims to shine a light on these individuals, giving them the credit they deserve for going above and beyond.

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