Gary Laybourne

A coach from the age of seventeen, Gary has worked in the sports and charity sector for over 20 years. As an athlete, he has won major World, European and National triathlon championships and in 2022, was 21st at the London Marathon in 2.21.07 to become World V40 champion. He has led the Coach Core programme since its inception in 2012, shaping and tutoring the first London programme, project managing its successful expansion (2015-2019) through to its establishment as an independent charity – the Coach Core Foundation – in 2020 taking it from a £250k at that time to a £1.5m charity 5 years later.  In 2025, Gary was awarded ‘Outstanding Contribution to Apprenticeships’ at the major industry awards in recognition of his tireless campaigning and championing of young people into employment. Gary is also the volunteer Head Coach of his local athletics club, sits on the British Athletics Children’s Advisory Group, and on the Active Surrey trustee board.