Meet the Management Committee
Tahir Shams
Hi, I am Tahir and I'm the Programme Director for Tooting Run Club (TRC). I founded TRC in partnership with Herne Hill Harriers in late 2021, and am responsible for overseeing the entire operation. This includes putting the relevant infrastructure in place, developing systems & processes to ensure successful delivery of the programme, identification and deployment of a strong pool of volunteers, and developing content for social media.
I lead the TRC Red Group on Mondays, and also lead the Wednesday social run. I also chair the TRC Steering Group, which sets the strategic direction of the club.
In terms of my running experience, I’m relatively late to the party and only started running in early 2017. I've raced at all distances right the way up to marathon level, but haven't quite the set the world alight with my pace! I’ve got the 2024 Berlin Marathon and the 2025 London Marathon in the diary as big upcoming races.
Glen Keegan
Hey, my name's Glen and I am President of Herne Hill Harriers. I have been involved with TRC since the early days. I sit on the TRC Steering Group and also coach with TRC and Herne Hill Harriers.. I also keep track of TRC income and expenditure.
Overall, I have been helping out with the coaching at Herne Hill Harriers for the last 10 years. I am a fully qualified Athletics Coach and have also completed extra modules Strength & Conditioning, Safeguarding & Diversity and Inclusion.
I ran for Worthing Harriers in my youth, returned to running as a veteran. I have competed at distances from 100 metres to 145 miles, and have completed over 100 marathons! As I am more enthusiastic than naturally gifted I particularly enjoy encouraging other middle of the pack athletes to achieve their best.
Talat Shams
My name’s Talat and I’ve been part of the TRC team since January 2022, and am an original a co-lead of the TRC Green group. I took up running in 2018 after being inspired by Tahir, who was already a keen runner by that point. I started doing the Couch to 5K programme and found that I actually enjoyed it and found running quite exhilarating so much so that I then started taking part in races and have since completed a number of half marathons.
I am a Civil Servant and work as an Assistant Project Manager. I can usually be found at the gym, I love doing weight training, cardio , Pilates and yoga. I enjoy travelling the world and I’m also bit of a foodie.
Fran Hall
Hi everyone, I’m Fran! I joined TRC in October 2023. Over the past year TRC has become a huge part of my life and I have become a run leader on a Wednesday, led the summer handicap races and also taken over the first timers brief during the week.
In the past year, I’ve run half marathons, gained a massive 10k PB at the TRC winter run and even completed the London Marathon. I would not have been able to do this without the support of TRC and the amazing people I’ve met along the way, from keeping me company on long runs to cheering on the sidelines.
This year my biggest goal is to finish the Manchester Marathon 2025 after being injured for nearly 6 months. After that, I’m looking forward to spending the summer training with TRC before I finally attempt (for the second time) joining the sub 2 half marathon club with TRC.
Amar Sudra
I’m Amar, and I've been a proud member of our running family since the club was just six months old! Each week, I have the pleasure of leading and motivating our runners, supporting everyone to get moving—not just physically, but mentally, too. TRC has been an anchor in my life, helping me stay focused and bringing a positivity that impacts every aspect of my day-to-day.
With over two decades of running under my belt, I’ve tackled it all—from 5K races to completing the iconic London Marathon. I’ve also dipped my toes into the mud (literally!) with obstacle course races like Tough Mudder, Nuclear, and Spartan. These events add an adventurous twist to running, and they’re always a blast!
One of my biggest goals? To finish all six of the world’s major marathons: London, Berlin, Tokyo, Chicago, New York, and Boston. It’s a tall order, but with TRC’s support, I’m well on my way!
Outside of running, I’m also the club’s go-to organiser for social events. From Spooky Halloween trips to the London Dungeon to St. Patrick’s Day Guinness toasting, attending fireworks displays for Bonfire night, and the occasional post-run Nando's—you’ll find a message from me to get everyone together. These events help keep our club tight-knit, inclusive, and, most importantly, fun. At TRC, we’re not just running buddies; we’re a family, united by our love of running and community spirit. It’s amazing to watch friendships blossom along the way.
And here’s a fun fact about me: I’m pretty sure I love pizza almost as much as I love running.
Rosh Ramlugan
I’ve been involved with Tooting Run Club since early 2022, mainly attending the Monday interval training on the track and the monthly long runs. I’m part of the management committee, where I help oversee the club’s finances and operations.
Thanks to TRC, I did my first-ever half marathon (The Big Half) and then followed it up with a second! Before joining, I’d only done 10Ks, so it’s been a real leap. TRC has also helped me knock significant time off my PBs—I feel like I haven’t even begun to peak yet!
Running is a big part of my life, allowing me to keep enjoying the food and drink I love—without too much guilt!
When I’m not running, I work in real estate, focusing on property investment and development. I specialise in regenerating old buildings and creating spaces that people can live, work, and enjoy. I also lead the companies that run these developments, making sure everything operates smoothly and efficiently. Outside of that, I’m also a NED at Riverside Housing Association, where I advise on regeneration projects, and a Trustee for Open Palm Charity, helping young people access education and life skills opportunities.
Jenny Sivapalan
I joined Tooting Run Club in the summer of 2022, and it was one of the best things I did that year. I am a regular at the Monday interval sessions.
The best thing about the group is the atmosphere—everyone cheers each other on, and there’s always someone to try to keep pace with or have a chat with before or after. It’s been lovely to meet more locals and feel a sense of community. The team do a great job of celebrating achievements within the group and signposting upcoming running events.
I quite enjoy pushing myself during the run, then getting a short break before doing it again! The endorphin rush helps me get through the rest of the week. I started off in the Green Group and have now progressed to the Red Group.
My role on the committee is to keep this website up to date so people can continue to find out about us and get the latest information. As we move towards charity status, I'll take the lead in ensuring we follow best practices regarding data security and access across the tech platforms we use to run and communicate events.
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