Mountain Ash GM Gareth Evans explains how running helps him stay balanced, focused and resilient.
When you step into a general manager’s role, particularly at a members’ club navigating financial recovery and cultural change, the demands are constant.
The responsibility to lead staff, reassure members and pave the way for a sustainable future can easily stretch beyond office hours. For Mountain Ash Golf Club’s Gareth Evans, maintaining perspective has meant finding a deliberate outlet from his first GM role.
For Gareth, who spent 10 years with Citizens Advice before taking on the job at a club where he had been a member for two decades, that outlet is running – a pursuit that has grown from curiosity into a considerable commitment over the past four years.
“It’s really important to have pursuits outside of work that motivate you and are good for you,” he said. “I found running in 2022 and it’s now my main release. Golf was my life, but now the club is my workplace, so I make a conscious effort not to spend all my free time here.
“Running with Pontypridd Running Club gives me a different community and a way to switch off. The role can be very time-consuming, so it’s good to have something else to lean on.
“I race regularly, mainly middle and long distance. I ran the London Marathon last April and did the Cardiff Half as well. I wouldn’t call myself an elite athlete, but I take it seriously and really enjoy it.”
When your passion becomes your profession, boundaries can become blurred. For many club managers, the temptation is to remain ever-present – at competitions, social events, informal member gatherings. While visibility is important, so too is time away from the spotlight.
Gareth’s decision to invest in a separate community, with different goals and conversations, offers a practical example of how to create a meaningful escape from the pressures of work, while also promoting positive physical and mental wellbeing.
There is clear evidence that pursuits such as running offer tangible benefits beyond enjoyment. The NHS recommends adults undertake at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity each week, highlighting benefits including improved mood, reduced stress, better sleep and a lower risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
Aerobic exercise such as running is associated with the release of endorphins and improvements in mental wellbeing – a crucial factor in high-responsibility roles such as golf club management.
Key takeaways
- Protect your boundaries. When your hobby becomes your workplace, create space elsewhere.
- Find a different community. External networks provide perspective and emotional balance.
- Treat wellbeing as performance strategy. Physical activity supports resilience, clarity and long-term leadership effectiveness.
