Committee – Canterbury Harriers

Please read about the role of committee members and click here if you wish to stand for election to the committee.

You can click on each of the thumbnail images of the committee members below to see a larger version of the picture.

Chairman	Melanie Christodoulou
I originally started the Harriers as a social member in 2013 and then as a full member from 2014. I was elected onto the Committee in 2015 as a Runners Rep and then in 2016, I became the Press Officer and editor of the Harriers Newsletter. I stepped down from editing the newsletter in 2020, when Thomas Hooley kindly took over. Having had the time to reflect on the positive impact the club has had on my wellbeing over lockdown, I had decided to run for Chairman at the 2021 AGM when Gemma mentioned she would be stepping-down. All the past Chairmen/women have managed to make improvements to the club with the members’ best interests at heart – I hope I can do the same for you with my ambitions for the club.
Head Coach	Yiannis Christodoulou
Yiannis took up running in 2012 and joined the Harriers at that time too. Yiannis has competed at International level in his age group for Great Britain, where he has captained the Aquathlon team at the World and European championships. Yiannis is a European and National Aquathlon Champion in his age group and become a coach in 2013. He has vast experience working with top level coaches and training athletes for the GB age group team. Yiannis has been head coach since February 2020.
Club Secretary	Paul Thompson

Treasurer	Tim Richardson-Perks
Tim is second from the left in this picture from Reims I am proud to have been a Harrier for 19 years – I joined in 2001 (I think!). In that time, I have been Club Secretary, Treasurer, Race Director, Chairman, Reims Captain and now I am having a second shot at Treasurer. Running wise I specialised in marathons completing 69 marathons and countless halves, 10 and 20 milers and the odd 10k as part of my build up training. I have retired from running these days but still enjoy cycling, keeping fit, and the occasional drink with the Wetherspoons crowd. My biggest achievement as a Harrier is that I am in the elite group of Harriers who have been bought a drink by Steve Clark.
Membership Secretary	Peter Yarlett
I am very pleased to be re-joining the Harriers Committee having served in a number of club roles over the past 12 years, including 5 years as Chairman (2013 – 2018). As well as managing Harriers membership matters I now look forward to continuing to contribute towards supporting club life and administration in general. We have a very vibrant membership and I particularly look forward to welcoming new members into our running community. The fact that I’ve returned to a Committee role shows the passion that I have for Harriers. My best running days are now far behind me, having been a runner for over fifty years, but I still enjoy the occasional jog supplemented by cycling, walking and a game of golf, usually played badly. My favourite event has to be cross country and a claim to fame is finishing 230th out of 2,000 in a National Cross Country Championship.
Administration Officer	Position Vacant

Cross-Country/Relays Manager	Steve Clark
Joined club January 1995 & joined committee October 2001. Past roles for club: North Downs Way Club Relay Manager 2002-2015 Saxon Shore Club Relay Manager 2002-2013 Club Trailer & Trailer Equipment Manager 2003-2009 Current roles: Presentation Evening Awards Coordinator since 2002 Assistant Coach since 2003 Whitstable 10k Marshals Coordinator since 2003 Club Inter Club Relays Manager since 2005 Club Cross Country Manager since 2006 Harriers Quiz Night Manager since 2009 London Marathon Coach Manager since 2015 I took up running a few years before joining the club to lose weight and started doing a few races (Sturry Fun Run, Herne Bay Half) to give me something to aim for. Then I was offered a place in the 1992 London Marathon along with a friend. We did it again in 1993 together with a Harrier friend of his who was always pestering me to join the club, which I did once I had stopped commuting to London. And the rest as they say, is history! I’ve enjoyed the camaraderie and all aspects of club running, long and short distances, road races but I guess my favourite has turned out to be cross country! There have been many highs and a few lows but my only real regret is buying Tim that pint down Wetherspoons in 2014. A reckless moment of over-generosity!
Kit Officer & Runners Representative	Fiouse Corbeil
I joined Canterbury Harriers in July 2017 after a lifetime of running on my own on and off. I decided to join the Harriers to run with like-minded people and be more motivated. I was impressed to see how much hard work The Committee was putting in behind the scenes for a club of 150 runners to run so smoothly. As time went on, I agreed to take on a Runners Representative role, then became Kit Officer, and also Liaison Officer between CH and SEUK for our Whitstable 10K 2021 event, always trying to give back as much as I can to such a wonderful club. My favourite club events include the KFL Cross-Country races, the 10K Club Championship and the many social runs organised throughout the year. You can talk to me any time about club queries, and if you need Club Kit, I’m your man. (PS: My name is pronounced Fuse.)
Social Secretary	Faye Roberts

Runners Representative	Tina Jones
I am lucky enough to have been a member of Canterbury Harriers for about 14 years and I have been on the Committee for 10 years. I have enjoyed some modest success during my time at the club but I am slowing down a bit now. My success is all due to the friendship and encouragement of my fellow club members and that of Gerry Reilly who was head coach until very recently. I really enjoy the winter cross country season and the inter club summer relays together with the many social events in the club’s calendar. I have a qualification as a leader in running fitness and help out with coaching when I am needed. I might be a bit slower nowadays but I hope I can continue for a while longer enabling me to be a part of a very friendly and supportive club.
Runners Representative	Bob Davison

Runners Representative	Gary Robertson
I started running at Whitstable Parkrun in 2012, initially as cross-training to complement swimming, but I soon got hooked! Running for me over the following 8 years was Parkrun, out with friends and training alone. I enjoyed competing in organised races, starting with 10k’s and working up through half marathons and 20 milers to a couple of full marathons. Then injuries almost certainly caused by ignorance of how to train properly led to what I thought was premature retirement from running. After an extended spell of rest and physio I decided to try again, but learn to run and train better with a running club. I joined Canterbury Harriers in May 2021 feeling quite unfit and more than a little concerned about how I would cope mixing with all those seasoned competitors! I needn’t have worried, everyone was so welcoming and supportive right from the start. I greatly enjoy being a Harrier, with fantastic training, camaraderie and fun team events like the winter cross country series. I joined the committee at the end of 2022 as a Runners Representative.