Chris Gale



As the owner of the GaleForce Running Squad, it gives me great pleasure to welcome you to the squad. I trust that you enjoy & make the most of the experience of being involved with a dynamic, expanding & fun-loving group. Running is an individual sport where you focus on your own goals but being part of a group gives you the incentive to get to the next level.

I was born in Sydney in 1971 to parents Ian & Crystal. During the formative years, we lived in a number of locations across Sydney and Wollongong, before moving to Dysart in Central Queensland where my father got offered a job in the mines. This was a very significant change for our family, moving from a large city to a town of 3000 people."

In 1984, I took up running competing in fun runs, cross country and on the track making the Central Qld Secondary Schools team to compete at the state titles in Brisbane. This was where my passion started and has certainly grown from here. Over the next couple of years, I competed in many events, winning many age groups titles and continuing to represent CQ at the State Championships. When I started running, my father presented me with a book that his father had presented to him in 1954. To this day, I still have this book and refer to it often in my coaching.

In December 1986, our family moved to Rockhampton and I trained under Graeme Woods. In my first season, I gained Queensland rep honours in cross country and track events. The philosophy of 'if you want to run, you run' still sticks with me. Over the next 3 years, I represented Qld on numerous occasions, with my greatest achievement being winning the Queensland All Schools Cross Country Championships and placing fourth in the National Championships in Hobart.

After finishing school, I continued to run representing Queensland in cross-country, road & track events. It was during this time that I took on many roles involved with our club - the Rockhampton Road Runners. I ended up taking over as President for 8 years, coaching the club runners & organising the events.

During this time, I refereed rugby league working my way to referee a number of NRL pre-season games.

In 2001, I moved to Brisbane & started to develop the GaleForce Running Squad. It was during my time working at the Intraining Running Centre that the squad developed into the force that it is today! I trust this gives you a bit of history about myself.

Yours in running
Chris Gale
Mobile: 0408 877 624
e-mail: chris@galeforcerunning.com

Jennifer Epps



Jennifer Epps is a distance runner and enthusiastic member of the GaleForce running squad. She is a Level 1 Athletics Coach, who has coached running group sessions for beginners for the past 2 years. Jennifer has trained under Chris Gale since 2005 and is currently in training for the 2008 Gold Coast full marathon.

Most memorable running experience: "My highlight was running a sub 90minute half marathon at Gold Coast. However my favourite event would have to be the 500km Endeavour Road Relay. I have been involved in this event for the past three years, and to get to compete as part of a team, for a worthy cause is extremely rewarding. Watching my fellow team mates achieve their goals in running is as exciting as running my own PB!"

What coaching means to me: "I have found from coaching a lot of satisfaction is being able to encourage others to get the most from their running. I love running - sharing that with others is such a buzz".

-- Jennifer

Liz Lovering



I am 45 and I have been a distance runner for 20 years. I ran cross country at school but gave it up once I left. Then one day I saw the London marathon on television and decided I was going to run it. I haven’t looked back since! I have to date completed 7 marathons of which 3 were the London marathon, and countless half marathons, 10kms etc.

I immigrated to Australia in 2004 from London and started training with Chris 3 years ago. What I love about running are the people I meet, the feeling of freedom and fitness that running brings and achieving my goals.

As a coach I love being able to share the knowledge I have gained over the past 20 years, particularly with marathon running. When GFRS members complete their first marathon, no one could be prouder than me that they have reached their goal.

As GFRS resident nutritionist who also has 22 years experience as a chef, I aim to provide practical information on nutrition and delicious healthy recipes.

-- Liz

Leanne Bygrave



I have been a running coach for approximately 3 years now. I started out as an all rounder in the field of athletics so the running I was involved in at this stage was mainly sprinting. I started running middle distances when I was in my late twenties. I have also played a great deal of team sport (softball, touch football, netball and volleyball. ) I have travelled over Queensland playing team sports.

Currently, I have Level 2 coaching qualifications which I have gained through ATFCA (Australian Track and Field Coaches Association). I have just completed the Level 3 course and should receive accreditation early in 2008.]

I also have a Bachelor of Education and have taught Physical Education in primary schools.

My goals for 2008 include the Brisbane Half Marathon in March, Gold Coast Half Marathon in July, Noosa Triathlon in November and cross country running.

I thoroughly enjoy the challenge of assisting others with their running goals. I coach the Monday night group at the Chalk Hotel starting at 6pm and I am also involved in personal training.

I am looking forward to a great year of running and coaching.

-- Leanne

Lew Williams



Lew Williams is the latest coach to join the GFRS. He (sometimes called “old-lu” – that is the polite version) is the most ancient of the coaches.  He has only been coaching for a few years and has built up a strong group of runners.

For fun he ambles through triathlons up to the half ironman distance (he reckons he is only half a man until he does a full ironman).  In addition, he has been known to trundle through half marathons and even an occasional marathon. 

His philosophy is to train only hard enough to finish the chosen event in a reasonable time given your current level of fitness, age and all the other reasons you are not skilled, fit or gifted enough to complete at the Olympic Games. 

In other words, his view is you train hard enough to enjoy the event you chose to enter.  With this approach it means that you can be pleased with yourself by completing the event and you can still smile with pleasure as you cross the finish line.

Lew conducts an evening interval (speed) session every Tuesday and a group training run every Thursday from Riverside Drive at West End near the boat ramp. If you want a fun, challenging group to run with and a coach to motivate you, then come along to this group at West End.