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08/08/2025 00:00, In Blog / Club Notice Board /

Masters Spotlight with

LEE AHERNE

Lee Aherne is Chair of Parc Bryn Bach and the Race Director for Parc Bryn Parkrun. He is one of the most passionate Welshmen who loves nothing better than pulling on the red vest. Here Lee tells us his unique story!

1. Tell us how and when you started running? 

I used to box for Glanhowy ABC and it was whilst training for fights that running became a part of my life. I actually won all my fights but used to be so nervous in the days leading up to fights that I knew getting hit wasn't for me. It was only 6 fights mind. I was no Rocky Marciano.

2. You had some early success running 9-15 for 3,000m and 2-39-42 for the Shakespeare marathon. Tell us about your early running career and what you remember of it?

Yes, I remember both races well because they were my last 2 races for 17 years. I actually rode up to Stratford upon Avon on my Vespa scooter with a girlfriend. I had planned to do the HM but I saw someone I knew and did the marathon instead. It was pay on the day. I remember it being very hot. 

The 3000 I did 2 weeks later at an open meeting in Swansea

3. What training did you do back then?

Back then I had no structure in my training and just used to come home from work, run 5 miles hard and didn't do much else. At an open track meeting, Ann Hill once pulled me to one side and said I should train with her group. I didn't bother. Next time she saw me, she told me I'm wasting my talent. She was right and I do regret not giving it a proper go. But back then I felt like I was handcuffed to a lunatic that just wanted to chase girls about on the weekends, not race. 

I did enjoy it though - the running!! 

4. Why did you stop and it appears you started competing again just as you turned 35? Was it the Master opportunities that got you interested?

 I did think about starting back then in around 1991 but then the rave scene came along and that was the end of that. Then in 2000 my son was born. I started to train hard, boxing, weights and running but at the end of 2001 my life was turned upside when my son’s mother ended our relationship. I got myself in a dark place, drank heavily and all the other stuff. By the end of 2005 I'd hit rock bottom and decided to give up all the nonsense and race again. Since then I haven't looked back. Running is definitely the only drug for me now. Well that and ibuprofen!!  HaHa!!.

5. It appears that it was 2006 when you started performing well as a Master and won your first Welsh Masters title when winning the 5,000m at Newport! What can you remember about that?

I remember that well because I felt guilty running in a veteran race. It was the first year where 35’s could enter but I was actually only 2 weeks from being 40 and I told everyone who would listen that on the day. It was my first ever Welsh Gold medal but I was only racing myself. 

6. If my memory is correct you represented Wales for the first time at the BMAF Cross Country International in Belfast in November 2017. As a proud Welshman what was that like?

No, my first Cross Country was 2006 in Falkirk in Scotland. I hassled John Collins all year to pick me. I loved every minute. Peter Coles, Ritchie Bullen and Rob Sheen were teammates I really looked up too back then.

(Thanks for putting me right Lee – Falkirk was my favourite BMAF Cross Country International venue where I had my best runs)

7. Cross country is your least favourite surface but you have competed for Wales on a number of occasions over the country. Which is your most memorable?

I'm a terrible cross country runner! I just don't have the mindset to keep running fast when there's so many breaks in the stride pattern. I totally lose focus. My best run was 2013 in Nottingham in the 45 category. I beat a lot of good boys that day to my surprise. (Lee finished 8^th M45 at Nottingham)

Lee had a great season in the International fixtures against England, medaling in all distances!

8. You’ve got better with age, and are now regularly winning Welsh, British and international events. How have you been able to improve with age and why are you running better now then when you were younger?

From 2006 to 2014 I really took my father duties seriously. His rugby, watching Cardiff City, Cinema and other stuff that involved him always came first. I idolise my son and training and what I ate wasn't that great. McDonalds and Sweets instead of Chicken and Pasta. 

By 2015 my son had his first proper girlfriend and dad became surplus to requirement and although there was still his Rugby and Cardiff City i still had more to focus on my running. In 2021, Daniel Bodman moved to Tredegar and training with him pushed me again to another level but siatica issues have dogged me these past 3 years. Which has been frustrating.

9. Tell us about a typical weeks training for Lee Aherne?

Because I run so many distances it changes every month. For example if I've got an important 5k race v England, it's around 60 miles a week. Track on Tuesday - 400s; and efforts with the club Thursdays with a long run on a Sunday. I hate rest days so I'll just go out and run 8 min miles most days. After a day in work I just love to go out for a run to clear my head. After all running is like free drugs

10. What advice would you give to any Master athlete wanting to compete for Wales?

Representing Wales is a massive honour. I've been lucky enough to run 25 times in the red of Wales and I can recommend it to every runner that hits the standard times to go for it. 

11. You’re very passionate about Parc Bryn Bach and under your guidance (following on from Damon Williams great leadership) the club has achieved many things. What are you most proud about?

Losing Damian to cancer last year was totally heartbreaking. My son is actually out in Thialand with Damian’s son now and he sent me a picture with them both holding a Parc Bryn Bach Vest. It brought a lump to my throat.

Lee with Damon Williams, his mentor and predecessor as Parc Bryn Bach Chair

There's been a lot of proud club moments. Obviously the girls winning the Welsh Cross Country championships this year was huge but the Gwent League is my first big love. Seeing the boys finish runners up the past 4 years is great; the girls were runners up this year too; and seeing Phil Matthews winning the series in 2022 was also nice BUT the biggest thrill for me was seeing Lauren Cooper winning the Gwent League series in 2019. I watched Lauren grow with us and that day at Blaise Castle was just so special. I'll never forget it even though she's won the Welsh Cross Country championships twice in our vest that's the one PBB moment I cherish the most. 

12. You campaigned vigorously to get Steve Jones’ achievements recognised. Tell us about that campaign and why you do it?

Steve was born in my home town of Tredegar but obviously brought up in Ebbw Vale. Back in 2010 if you asked anyone from the area who Steve Jones is, you'd get a vacant look. 

So I set about to change that. For a long time I thought I was wasting my time. But in 2019 thanks to my friendship with our MP Nick Smith we managed to finally get him awarded the MBE and just the other week he was awarded the Freedom of Blaenau gwent and there's also a metal statue and mural planned for this summer. Watch that space. He's a lovely man is Steve and deserves everything that comes his way. JONSEY. 

Ex World Marathon Record Holder and honorary Parc Bryn Bach member Steve Jones

13. Future Plans:

Well I'm 60 next year and hopefully if I stay injury free I'd like to attack 2 Welsh age best records. The first one is the Marathon which I'm confident (if I can stay injury free) I'll comfortably do that. The second one will raise a few eyebrows because it's a record set by a very special iconic runner. It's the 5K record of 16-11 set by Martin Rees. But to do that I really will need to have a few months of injury free hard training. I ran 16-16 last August after an injury hit few months so I know it's in me.

A big thank you to Lee Aherne for answering the questions in his own unique style. Hopefully he can have an injury free 12 months and target those Welsh records. Good luck Lee.

Bernie Jones