Community Impact
Gef’s 30 Under 30 2024 Winners: Q&A with Joe Reid
Ten categories. Thirty young visionaries making their mark on the Isle of Man. Introducing the 2024 #Gef30Under30 winners: the next generation of our island’s leaders.
The Frank Matcham’s Community Impact category winners find meaning in supporting and teaching those around them, and are shining examples of how small actions can have a positive effect for generations to come.
What is your name and age?
Joe Reid, age 28.
Job title or role in the community?
Running Coach at Run with Reid.
How did you start your career or role in the community?
I used to run competitively so running has always been a big part of my life. After Covid I moved back to the island and started my business, part of which was a free run club in the south of the island. Now we have run club on a Monday and kid club on a Friday and I absolutely love both of them.
In one sentence, summarise your journey so far as a young and successful person under 30.
Giving back to the island and the sport that gave me some of the best experiencers of my life.
Tell us about your business/industry, is there something interesting about it that most people wouldn’t expect?
I organise a free run club every Monday that’s open to any age and ability. We do a mixture of running sessions, all with the aim of giving people a place to start / maintain their running journey. I also run a kids run club on a Friday that gives primary school aged children the chance to learn the basics of athletics. Last year I hosted a run club that got over 170 people to attend, that was pretty cool and I was really proud of that!
Have you experienced any hurdles in your career or community efforts and if so, how did you overcome them?
When I first started the run club we would often only get 3/4 people turning up. I did debate packing it in but thought I’d give it a few more weeks to see if it got busier. Now we regularly get 20+ people so I’m really glad I didn’t stop it! At that point I guess you have to look at the bigger picture and think that as long as the club helps just one person to improve their mental or physical health for that day, then it’s worth it.
Tell us about why you think you won in the Community Impact category?
I think my run club has become a valued community in the south of the island. People have friends and family that attend that make it a nice way to make memories and have social interactions that they wouldn’t otherwise get. It’s provided a safe and friendly environment for people to improve both their physical and mental health in the company of like minded people. I’m especially proud of the kids club and how that has given children in the south of the island a place to learn athletics that they otherwise may not have had. When I was young I met some of my lifelong best friends through attending clubs like this and went on to have an unforgettable career in the sport, so the thought of being able to provide todays kids with the same opportunity makes giving up my evenings all worth it.
Who are your role models, either on-island or off, in your sector or outside of it?
My parents will always be two figures I’ll look up to. In recent years I’ve had friends who have either had their own businesses or had successful working careers that I’ve taken inspiration from. Some of my previous training partners in athletics have gone on to achieve some incredible things (Olympic games, European and world medals, etc) and that is something that inspires me to give the young kids the opportunity to achieve the same things.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
It’s nice to be good, but it’s good to be nice.
What do you wish you knew when you were getting started in your career?
That investing in good waterproof running gear is well worth it. But in all seriousness, probably that not everything will go to plan and you’ll have people let you down, ideas not work, feel overwhelmed etc. Sometimes I just remind myself that there are more important things in the world and nothing is really as big a deal as you think it is.
What are your plans for the future?
Carry on the run club and kids club, and just keep steadily growing. I’d love to get to the point where we have a southern athletics club again for both adults and children that had a mixture of events.
What changes do you hope to see in your sector or community in the coming years?
Athletics needs a freshen up and hopefully this is on the way now. I think the more people that are involved and interesting in running the better as hopefully the demand will mean the sport has no choice but to provide the opportunities the community want.
What, for you, are the benefits of staying on or moving back to the island for young people under 30?
The Isle of Man provided me with a stable and safe environment to grow by business alongside starting a career working in primary schools. Being close to friends and family was important for me too. Being part of a close knit community is something I’ll never take for granted, and I don’t think you get this everywhere in the world.
What does being a Gef’s 30 Under 30 winner mean to you?
It’s a really proud moment and makes me realise that giving up my time is worth it as it’s seemingly helped so many people. It’s made me more determined to carry on steadily growing and proving opportunities for people to experience running in different shapes and forms.
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