Alan Dolton began competing in athletics in 1980, which led to him developing an interest in the prevention and cure of running injuries. He trained at the London School of Sports Massage, where he obtained a Diploma in Sports Massage in June 2000. He also has an ITEC Diploma in Anatomy, Physiology and Massage. He is a member of the Sports Massage Association and the Institute of Sport & Remedial Massage.

Alan is also a qualified UK Athletics club coach, specialising in middle-distance and long-distance running. He is the senior coach at local running club Striders of Croydon AC. He leads track sessions at Croydon Sports Arena on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, and also regularly leads running groups on Sunday mornings from the club’s headquarters at Sandilands.

As an athlete, Alan represented Surrey at 5000 metres. He was a member of the Croydon Harriers team which won the Southern League Division One in 1985, and competed regularly in the British Athletic League from 1986 to 1994. In 1997 he won the South of England over-40 5000 metre championship. He was the Surrey over-55 1500 metres champion in 2012, 2013 and 2016. In October 2016 he represented Great Britain in the over-55 age-group in the World Masters Cross-Country Championships in Perth (Australia).