The Team

Meet the AP team in the Peterborough and Cambridge stores:

Samantha Hale - Managing Director

Sam began Advance Performance in 1996 and has since been on an incredible journey building up the business to what you see today – two thriving stores in Peterborough and Cambridge, with further development never out of mind.

Read Sam’s inspirational “rags to riches” story here

Sam has been acknowledged by several major business awards, notably winning East of England Businesswoman Entrepreneur of the Year 2008 and BT Business Essence of the Entrepreneur 2009.

Matthew Parker - Director & Company Secretary

Currently training for:
- Just for fitness at the moment
Currently running in:
- Saucony Kinvara 2– love the lightness, flexibility and cushioning, and the adidas adizero XT3 for when it is muddy, awesome grip. .
Favourite running gear:
- Icebreaker base layers– very versatile, whatever the weather.
Biggest running achievement:
- 2010 Las Vegas Marathon on just 8 weeks notice and training and then March 2011 Los Angeles Marathon 3 months later and with only 3 and a half weeks notice and training which was 45 minutes faster. Despite that I know that training makes it easier. .
Other sporting interests:
- Mountain biking, rides an Ellsworth Id.
- Football, supports Leicester City, which may explain his mood swings on Saturday afternoons.
- Former rugby player, prop forward for Oundle Juniors and Westwood Works, but had to give up when took up retailing.
- Was lucky enough to go to see the Sydney Olympics in 2000, which were awesome, looking forward to London 2012.
- Matt is also very proud of his Abarth 500, named Zebedee, which he has done a track day in at Silverstone.
Background:
- Matt has been with AP from almost the start in the late 1990s. It is Matt who buys all the shoes for Advance Performance, sifting through all the hype and gimmicks to find the best performing and value running shoes, so if you think it is hard work deciding which one is right for you, imagine what it is like buying the thousands that we get through every year. Matt and Sam have been married since 2005.

Contact Matt by e-mail

Tamryn Saby - Store Manager, Cambridge

Currently training for:
- Would like to run another Half Marathon.
- Would like to get stronger, going to pay more attention to strength and conditioning, before upping the miles.
Currently running in:
- Longer runs Asics 2160.
- Shorter runs Saucony Kinvara 2.
- Gym in Inov8 Bare X 180
Biggest running / sporting achievement:
- Walked 100km in Trailwalker 2008.
- Budapest Half Marathon 2011.
Other sporting interests:
- Ladies Captain at Comberton Tennis Club
Background:
- Qualified commercial pilot Tamryn joined the Cambridge store in June 2009. She formerly worked in aviation as a member of airline cabin crew, but now has her feet firmly on the ground and is enjoying her work with customers at the Cambridge store.

Mike Terry - Supervisor, Cambridge / Peterborough

Currently training for:
- General fitness, the aim is to stay fit. 4km everyday at a easy pace if time and family life allows me which it rarely does, followed by core work.
Currently running in:
- Brooks Glycerin 9 Inov8 f-lites 230.
Favourite Running Gear:
- Tend to run in Adidas clothing
- Under Armour compression shorts.
Other sporting interests:
- Love watching most sports. Athletics, managed to get myself to the Greece Olympics 2008 although didn’t get London 2012 tickets, Football, cricket, tennis, rugby, snooker, might as well list every sport really.
- Take part in trail biking, football, pool/snooker, gym, always trying to get or remain fit, can be hard work at time but always enjoyable.
Background:
- Worked in retail most of my life starting at JJB sports. Worked at Camp America for 4 summers running, at Tamarack Camps Michigan, two of those years as a supervisor of landsports. Then worked at Marks and Spencer soon becoming a section manager, in both Cambridge and St Neots stores. Before finally finding my home at Advance Performance, having a keen interest in fitness and nutrition and being able to chat about these things all day to customers suits me fine.

James Brennand - Web Manager & Specialist Sales Advisor, Cambridge

Currently training for:
- General fitness
Currently running in:
- Mizuno Nirvana series, Saucony Mirage, Inov8 f-light 230s .
Favourite Running Gear:
- Ronhill RipZip Jacket
- Skins compression wear
Other sporting interests:
- Playing korfball for Littleport Lions.
Background:
- James gained a degree in Sport Science and English Literature at Brunel University and has since been coaching athletics (horizontal jumps inparticular) since then. He is currently on the England Athletics National Coach Development programme for Youth Development and Triple Jump.

Phil Brickell - Van Driver & Specialist Sales Advisor, Cambridge / Peterborough

Currently training for:
- Currently training for fitness and fun, making the transition from highly supportive footwear to minimal "barefoot" running.
Currently running in:
- Inov-8 F lite 195's having previously run in the Nike structure series.
Favourite Running Gear:
- Skins compression tights
- Helly Hansen base layers.
Other sporting interests:
- Interested in mixed martial arts and boxing and has trained in both before taking up running.
Background:
- Joined Advance Performance in 2010. Attends most sponsored events representing the company.

Steve Smith - Specialist Sales Advisor, Cambridge

Currently training for:
- Future triathlon event.
Currently running in:
- Nike Structure 15.
Biggest Sporting Achievement:
- Football League debut for Cambridge United away at Doncaster Rovers.
Other sporting interests:
- Not enough room to list them all! Love taking part in, and watching, all sports in general.
Background:
- Joined Advance Performance in Jan 2012 having previously worked as a qualified personal trainer. Prior to that played professional football for Cambridge United for 4 years having completed a youth scholarship there after leaving school.

Dave Robinson - Specialist Sales Advisor, Cambridge

Coming soon!

Rebecca Walton - Sales Assistant, Cambridge

Currently training for:
- Triathlon
Currently running in:
- Asics 2100 series
Biggest running / sports achievement:
- Edinburgh Marathon
Other sporting interests:
- Cycling, rugby, sports nutrition
Background:
- Rebecca has been with us since early 2010 helping to keep busy Saturdays under control!

Deb Baxter - Assistant Manager, Peterborough

Currently training for:
- To maintain fitness for competitive horse riding and for weight control.
Currently running in:
- Nike Triax
Biggest Sporting Achievement:
- Qualifying and attending the Trail Blazers National finals for both prelim and Novice dressage and attaining 4th place!
Other sporting interests:
- Working out at local gym. Walking and swimming when on holiday. Motorcycling.
Background:
- Worked LloydsTSB as Personal Account Manager (17 years): Gym Instructor (3 yrs) Advance Performance (7yrs).

Mike Chapman - Supervisor, Peterborough

Currently training for:
- 10k (34:42 to beat), and Great North Run, pb's (78:52 to beat)
- Future goal - To develop and coach a small running group, to complete a triathlon, regain my county position and to keep on running faster.
Currently running in:
- Brooks Ravenna/Ghost
- Saucony Hattori in the gym and technique work on the track.
- Adidas XT's for cross-country and trail running training
- Adidas adios - racing flats, 5k, 10k, Half Marathon
- Adidas XCS cross country spike
- K-Swiss Recovery Shoe for warming down.
Favourite running gear:
- Accapi Nexus Pro Tight
- Skins A400, 2XU Compression wear
- Adidas Adizero Singlet and Split Shorts
- Ronhill Trail Cyclone Half-Zip Running Long Sleeve Top
- Ronhill Trail Microlight Running Jacket
Biggest running achievement:
- Represented county at World XC trials and Inter Counties, Birmingham 2010 and 2011
- Anglian Schools Champion 3000m as a school boy
- Great North Run 2011 (Elite Field)
- Great South Run 2010 (Elite Field)
- Won 2 local 10k races
Other sporting interests:
- Keen member of Nene Valley Harriers
- Enjoys all sports, particularly football, pool
Background:
- Mike joined the team in autumn 2009, needing a new challenge having lived in Holland for 4 years. He has a business background, with a degree in Business Information Systems Mike is a massively enthusiastic runner, with big goals to compete in triathlons, whilst still participating in all the local running events.

Ryan Sogrowiczuk - Specialist Sales Advisor, Peterborough

Currently training for:
- Local 10'k and 5 mile races with Thorney running club
Currently running in:
- Mizuno Wave Nirvana 7 and Inov8 mudclaw for off road running
Biggest sporting achievement:
- Being part of Peterborough United's play off winning medical team winning at Old Trafford in May 2011
Other sporting interests:
- Cycling and Golf
Background:
- Qualified in sports injury and remedial massage BTEC LEVEL 5 and holistic massage NVQ level 3, worked as the sports masseur at Peterborough United for the past 2 seasons, been running for around 8 years to try and stay in some sort of fitness.

Howard Piccaver - Specialist Sales Advisor, Peterborough

BSc (Hons), DipST, MSST Sports Science & Sports Therapy Member of the Society of Sports Therapists
Howard runs his practice from Advance Performance, Peterborough, where he is also on hand to prescribe running shoes and train staff.
Other sporting interests:
- Cycling
- Swimming
Background:
- Joined Advance Performance in 2011. Howard, who has a long established reputation for providing a professional and comprehensive Sports Therapy service in the local area, brings extensive knowledge and experience in the specialist field of sports injury prevention, management and rehabilitation. His aim is to provide optimal treatment strategies and advice for his clients who are seeking a return to fitness from all types of sports and occupational related injuries.

Matt Green - Specialist Sales Advisor & Triathlon Centre Co-ordinator, Peterborough

Currently training for:
- Lincoln 10k March 25th aiming for 32-33 minutes
- Perkins Great Eastern Run
- Peterborough 5K Series
- Woodall Spa Sprint Triathlon
- Main aim is a good strong road/track and injury free season
Currently running in:
- Mizuno Wave Inspire 8
- Adidas Adizero Adios 2
- Brooks Pure Project Pure Flow
- Adidas Adizero XT3
- Vibram 5 Fingers.
Favourite Gear:
- Montane Marathon Jacket
- Skins A200 and 2XU Elite Compression tights
- Zone 3 Aspire wetsuit
- Compressport Calf Guards
- Garmin Forerunner 610
- Cervelo P5.
Biggest running / sports achievement:
- 1st place at the Thurlby 10k 2010
- Elite Starts both Lincoln 10k 2010 & Bupa Great South Run 2010
- Represented Lincs XC team at world inter counties Cross County championships
- Lincs 3000m under 23 champion 2010
- Road semi professional at the under 25 cycling tour in Malaga for UK Youth.
Other sporting interests:
- Member of both Nene Valley Harriers and Bourne Town Harriers
- Keen member of Bourne Wheelers Cycling club
- Anything Newcastle United.
Background:
- Joined AP in April 2010 and is now in-store triathlon product expert, after 4 years as a royal engineer in the British army. Love everything running, cycling and triathlon, fancied a new challenge after the armed forces. Future goal is an ironman before age 30.

Spencer Collard - Triathlon Co-ordinator, Cambridge / Peterborough

Currently training for:
- Whoever will give me a race place in a triathlon at short notice.
Currently running in:
- Brooks Glycerin.
Favourite Gear:
- Gadgets, always interested in the latest offerings like - Polar RCX5.
Other sporting interests:
- Having played Rugby at a fairly high standard will always follow my ex teams Saracens and Wasps.
- Triathlon/Road Cycling - Back in the saddle after a while away.
- Cricket - now play more for the social side but like to keep my eye in.
- Badminton - Play locally for Littleport in the Cambridge and Newmarket leagues.
Background:
- Worked in and around the sports industry since 1998 in various shapes and form and on the retail and distribution sides. Last 10 years have been focused in and around everything Swim, Bike and Run from attending, supporting and retailing at major events to sourcing new brands to launch here in the UK.

Contact Spencer by e-mail