Getting to know… Zak Watson – Edition 7 
Next up, meet one of Woking AC’s rising endurance stars — Zak Watson — a 1500m specialist with a love of teamwork, loud music, and a growing collection of Alice bands.
Zak’s favourite event? The 1500m, ever since Woking AC’s Southern Athletics League team manager, Kay Tinder, drafted him into one for his first league meet.
“It wasn’t a quick time, but it was enough to make me fall in love with the event.” 
Athletics has taught him plenty along the way.
“Discipline and patience with training — you can’t expect overnight improvements, you need to stay consistent. Also, the importance of being in a team. There’s nothing quite like the atmosphere of an XC race!” 
As for post-race rituals? It’s all about good company.
“After a good race it’s always got to be a group pub trip — maybe even a group run in the morning.” 
Zak’s proudest moment so far? The Surrey 5k in 2024, where he shaved 18 seconds off his PB — and, just as importantly…
“I beat Jack 
.”
(For context: that’s fellow middle-distance runner Jack Dormer — a future feature in this series!) 
And one fact that might surprise teammates?
“I’m a huge metalhead and I love going to gigs.” 
He’s also widely regarded as having some of the best hair in the club — second only to his sister Charlotte, who’s also a Woking AC member. If the athletics career doesn’t take off, there’s definitely a job waiting in the next Head & Shoulders commercial. 
Zak also loves a rivalry and a challenge — never one to turn down a race (or start line). The club are eagerly awaiting the 800m showdown he’s signed up to with James Gamble. Expect fireworks. 
(Editor’s note: between the hair, the metal, and the mid-race mind games, Zak’s bringing serious main-character energy to the WAC endurance squad.) 
Thanks for sharing your story, Zak — and for still managing to dine out on that 5k win from last year. We’ll see you — and James — on the start line soon… 