31/08/2026
🔦 Member Spotlight - Andrew Scott 🔦
Fisherman, family man, Leeds United loyalist, and now one of Wesham’s most committed new runners 🩵🔥
🧍♂️ A Bit About Andrew
Andrew and his wife Ronnie moved up north around two and a half years ago, swapping Frimley life for fresh air, family, and - crucially - being three hours closer to Elland Road 😄💛💙
Working from home had become isolating. Andrew promised himself that once they moved, he’d find a way to stay fit, get out of the house, and keep the armchair‑and‑Loose‑Women future firmly at bay. Running ticked every box.
Before moving, Andrew worked as a Quality Manager at Balform Ltd, producing thermoformed parts for aerospace - nothing glamorous, he says, just the trays, seatbacks and facias that keep passengers fed and comfortable.
Outside running, Andrew is a passionate fisherman. His PBs are serious business:
35lb UK carp and 52lb French carp.
And for his 60th birthday, he fished the St Lawrence River in Canada - a bucket‑list moment he still talks about with a grin 🎣🔥
🏃♂️ Why He Joined Couch to 5k
A year of Ronnie’s gentle (and not‑so‑gentle) persuasion finally did the trick. She knew the mental and physical benefits he’d get from Wesham, and she was right. Andrew joined in January to get fit, stay active as he gets older, and meet people - and he’s done all three in style.
⏱️ How He Found the 10 Weeks
“Loved it!” he says. Walking in not knowing anyone was daunting, but he was welcomed instantly. Running with people at his pace made everything easier, and seeing volunteers give up their time to help others genuinely humbled him.
➡️ Why He Moved Up to 5k → 10k
Simple: the group.
A brilliant mix of people from all walks of life - and yes, he admits it… he got the bug 😊🔥
💪 How He Found the 5k → 10k Block
Tough at first. Andrew realised he was running too fast too often, and learning to slow down transformed everything. Once he cracked that, the progress came quickly.
🎉 Graduation Parkrun - 26:13
A huge moment.
He was absolutely chuffed - and he gives a big shout‑out to Adam, who dragged himself out of bed (still yawning at the finish) to pace him round. Rumour has it Adam went straight home for a siesta 😴😂
👥 Group Training
Andrew has now trained in two groups and loves it. No pressure, no expectations - just your pace, your progress. His legs now recover in a day, something he couldn’t imagine back in January.
😔➡️💪 Missing the 10k Through Injury
Missing both the 5k and 10k graduation runs hit him hard. He loves the camaraderie of those days.
He Googled his symptoms (we’ve all done it), found exercises, and within three days the pain had almost gone. Ten days later he was back running. Throughout the break he walked long distances to keep fitness ticking over - a smart move that paid off.
🎽 How He’s Found the Club
Mondays — brilliant for chatting to people he wouldn’t normally run with
Wednesdays — tough, but he loves the challenge
Interclubs — absolutely loves them; Blackpool was his first and he was buzzing afterwards
Wesham has become exactly what he hoped for: friendly, supportive, and full of people who lift each other up.
🎯 What’s Next for Andrew
He’s racing the Fairhaven Flyer 10k on 13 September to get his first official 10k time on the board.
And he’s already signed up for the AJ Bell Half Marathon in May 2027 - calling himself an idiot, but we all know he’ll smash it 👍
He plans to keep running local 5ks, 10ks and half marathons, and he’s eyeing up some winter running too.
