Dan Williams has been a member of Wells City Harriers since 1993, inspired by his father, a former Harrier. After a break from running, he rediscovered his passion through Parkrun, eventually rejoining the Harriers. His notable achievements include completing the London Marathon, winning the South West 5K title, and pacing British athlete Jo Pavey to a record-setting performance.
Dan Williams
Finishing the Wessex 10K, August 2024
Interview - December 2024
How long have you been a member of Wells City Harriers for?
I first joined Wells City Harriers about 1993. I remember winning the Cross Country at Wells Blue School and the PE teacher suggested to my dad (who was a Wells Harrier for many years) that I should give running a go. I was already a county standard swimmer and did some football.
I can remember my first race for Harriers was at the Yeovil 5K where I was introduced to several influential people. I remember Paul Chadwick, Steve Masters, Eddie Richards and Ian Humphries were so supportive. The coaches at the time were Brian Edwards and Clive Thomas who took me under their wing.
Do you have a running 'hero' or someone that inspired you to run?
My hero though was always my Dad who was a strong runner but I considered him old at the time. Upon talking to people who ran with him I discovered he was actually really good! He had a big influence on me, telling me how to run, when to run, what to wear and how to present myself. [Read Tony Williams’ Meet the Harrier interview here.]
What runs do you enjoy the best?
My favourite runs are always in Somerset. Especially with friends. What an amazing area we live in. There is nothing better than running around the countryside where cars are a rarity.
I love training at the track on a Tuesday even if I have the odd ‘strop on’ with Jon James about the lack of rest between reps!
All my best friends are Harriers runners! I won’t name names as you all know who you are!
Dan and friends, before hitting the streets of Somerset.
What distance races do you enjoy running?
I enjoy 5K distance. Around 1995 I was men’s South West 5K track champion and also South West Cross Country junior champion. This opened some doors for me. This got me runs abroad representing the South West and The Southern Counties.
Do/Did you participate in any other sports?
In 1999 I joined the Police Force and running took a backwards step in my life. I concentrated on my career and played football for a while.
What do you enjoy about Parkrun?
By 2000 I had probably given up running for good. Or so I thought!
Suddenly about 18 years later my family including my son Harrison discovered something called a Parkrun! What a fantastic thing! That started my running journey again! Before I knew it I had rejoined Harriers!
Shepton Mallet Parkrun is my favourite as it’s where it all started.
I have been asked if Parkrun is a “Timed Run” or a “Race?”
Well let me just tell you this… The Williams family have taken to stopping calling it “Parkrun” and now call it “Parkrace”.
Dan and his son, Harrison, after a 1, 2 finish at Shepton Mallet Parkrun
What is your greatest running achievement?
My greatest achievement has to be in 1997 when I ran the London Marathon. I had turned 19 years old but was far too young. I did all my training with my Dad who also ran that year. I felt as though I hit the wall at 22 miles and slowed massively but still recorded 2 hours 37 minutes. I never ran a marathon again!
Crossing the London Marathon finish line aged 19.
Since then my proudest moment has to be when I came second to my son at Shepton Mallet ‘Parkrace’. To give up running and then come back years later to run with my son with the pair of us coming first and second is incredible. I guess it’s very difficult to understand if you are not a parent, but it gave me a feeling I will never forget.
Most of your results and PBs came before digital records. Can you share a few?
A lot of my best running was before the internet, Strava etc. I remember buying Athletics Weekly just to find out the Street 5K results! I can’t prove it all but was looking back through my newspaper cuttings and found I ran 14.38 for the 5K.
I can remember always attempting to get under 30 mins for the 10K but just missing out.
Gerry Murray Memorial Race 1993
Do you have any other running stories?
When I was at school I was eager to do well (win) the English Schools Cross Country which was held in Weymouth. I felt it best to travel the night before, stay in a hotel and turn up a couple of hours before my race instead of getting up early and hanging around all day.
I was obviously representing Somerset and cleared it with the Team Manager long before only to turn up on the day to find out I had been withdrawn from the squad for not travelling with the rest of the team on the bus! There was a big “hoo-ha” but basically, I was banned from running for Somerset again. The story gained some traction in the running magazines which got me some publicity!
I was briefly sponsored by CICA and even did some modelling with David Beckham. We did a fashion show and some photoshoots together wearing the new CICA running and football kit.
We then both went to Adidas who sponsored my kit for the London Marathon. I think Beckham went on to do better things? We lost contact with each other!
In 1998 I discovered I could make a bit of money by pace making. I met British Athlete Jo Pavey and was a pacemaker for her when she got the fastest 3000m time of the year.
That same year Wells City Harriers entered the National 12 Stage Relays for the first time. It was so exciting we even got T-Shirts made up! We had a very strong team including Andrew Hennessy, Wayne Speak, Tony Roper, Adam Dukes and Eddie Richards but when we got there we were absolutely thrashed!
Team t-shirts for the 12 Stage Road Relays
We seemed to have races every week, sometimes on the Saturday and then on the Sunday! I seemed to be lucky enough to win a lot, there was sometimes prize money and even microwaves or similar to win!
I often wonder if Parkrun as good as it is has killed the popularity of local fun runs a bit?
What do you enjoy about running?
Nowadays I just love going out for a run even though I know my best times are behind me.
I was thrilled to get 1:25 at Bridgwater Half in 2024 and I enjoy representing Wells City Harriers in the Gwent League. This year I would love to squeeze under 18 minutes for the 5K again. We’ll see…
Yesterday is History
Tomorrow is a Mystery
Today is a gift. That’s why they call it “The present!”
To view Dan's performances, visit his 'Power of 10' and 'Run Britain' profiles, by clicking on the images below.
Missed an interview? Click on the links below to Meet another Harrier.
Carol Buckland - November 2024
Graham Goldsmid - January 2024