Club Profiles

My name is Nicola and I started running around 15 years ago. As an outdoorsy but definitely not a sporty type, I was inspired by a friend to enter a sprint distance triathlon. To do that I needed to learn how to run 5km! I did learn to run and after completing the Matlock sprint distance triathlon I realised what I could achieve and wanted more. In the years in between I progressed to running 10km, half marathons and the Manchester Marathon. I upped my triathlon distance from Olympic distance to Middle distance and have now completed two full Ironman distance triathlons - 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike and 26.2 mile run! I love that through the running community I have discovered hidden strengths, have met lots of people who have inspired me and that I have been able to inspire others to try new things. I joined Stocksbridge Running Club last year and appreciate having a lovely bunch of club mates so close to home. I’m learning and improving my running as well as being able to give something back by leading the 5 mile group on a Monday evening.

Hello tribe; Narni's the name, running to earn biscuits is the game. Traditionally a gym rat at heart, I took up running because I had the cardio capabilities of an asthmatic elderly hamster, and I needed to do something about it. I wouldn't describe myself as a 'natural runner', and the road to joining my first running club is one that has built largely on stubbornness and whinging. I move to Stocksbridge four years ago, and it's so jammed full of gorgeous trails and wonderful greenery that you can't help but be enticed out around a reservoir, or up to a trig point. Whilst tipsy after finishing the Sheffield half marathon in 2023 I was foolishly persuaded to sign up for the Yorkshire marathon - having never run one before. Given that I was raising funds for charity I wanted to step up the training a notch and give it a good go, and so I tootled along to Stocksbridge Running Club's first meeting: never looked back! It's refreshing to be surrounded by a diverse group.

I am not a natural athlete. At school I would avoid exercise at all costs and the thoughts of cross country still fills me with dread. After university I moved through life in a pretty normal way; job, marriage, divorce, etc all the way into middle age. At 45 I was still someone that did no exercise and given that my job as a computer programmer is a desk job, I had put on weight a little by little over the years. Then one day my wife Gill decided she would like to do couch to 5k. None of her friends wanted to do it so she asked me. I had no interest in doing it but in order to support her I said yes. I moved through the program supporting Gill, going through the motions until on day about 4 weeks in I realised that I was not just doing couch to 5k for Gill anymore but that I was really enjoying it. I had discovered the joy of running and I could not believe what I had missed out on all these years. Fast forward 5 years and I was 3 stone lighter, having run 5k, 10k, half marathon, marathon and 2 ultras and not having lost the love of running.

Hi, I’m Heather. Thought I’d got away with not learning to run after reading somewhere that it’s dodgy to take up in your 40’s. Ever the rebel I gave it a go and realised that being a couch tattie is even worse. After a 10 week walk2run course my aerobic fitness had improved drastically even walking up hills. Hooked, I signed up for a 10k charity race round the bluebell woods at Dore. My hubby donned coach hat and mercilessly trained me round Weston Park and the old Don Valley Stadium race track. Soon I even stopped being embarrassed huffing and puffing in woods doing solo fartleks. Learned that you have to fake it make it and gradually there was the lightbulb moment, on a Park run, when I realised “I’m now actually a runner”!! So many opportunities out there to connect with other amazing runners, enjoy fantastic routes locally and beyond, and learn what you’re capable of. I find running inspiring, energising and fun. As one of the maturer lasses I know it’s also keeping my bones healthy and my mind a little more focussed! After immersing myself in all the club athletics, road, fell and XC competitions with Penistone Footpath Runners I decided trail and off road muddy stuff, especially the Trunce, was my favourite. I now love being a 1st claim part of this club lead by Richard, Molly & Narni. Never a dull moment, always good banter, whether it’s a wet, winter hill training night at Fox Valley, club trail handicaps, fancy dress competitions at a wildlife park, or flying one of the many variations of club kit at a HM in the Hebrides. It’s like one big nutty family, with unfailing support and camaraderie.

During my 20`s I did a few 5k`s and one 10k but never made the time to run on a regular basis. Fast forward to September 2021 age 48 and I knew that I had to change something in my life as I felt like my head was going to explode Life had been very chaotic for a number of years trying to deal with my loved one`s addictions So that was when I decided to start running again, I have never looked back I really can't imagine my life without running now. I did my first parkrun in February 2022 and I really look forward to them each week In September 2022 I did my first half marathon The Great North run It was the most amazing experience and I`m doing it all again this year I did my first Sheffield Half Marathon this year, a real challenge for a girl from flat East Yorkshire. Since I started running again I`d considered joining a running club but I kept putting it off I`m so pleased I finally gave it a go and joined the Stocksbridge Running Club everyone`s encouragement, enthusiasm and love of running has helped me believe in myself more and is helping me to become a stronger runner.

Hi! My name is Amy. I was very lucky to have been bought up in beautiful Deepcar but moved to Greystones (South Sheffield) in my late twenties when I met my husband. I’ve dabbled in running ever since then, doing the odd 10k and the Sheffield half most years. Last year- 2023-was the toughest of my life. My Dad had battled prostate cancel for 7 years but by the end of August we were told there were no further viable treatments. I upped my weekly mileage to keep my head clear with a goal of completing 1000 miles by the end of the year in his honour. It kept me focused, cleared my head and really was the medicine I needed to get me through. He passed away at the end of November and I honestly don’t know how I’d have coped without the distraction of continuing with my goal which I completed in December.

When I was younger I was always avoidant when it came to exercise and always dreaded sports day when it rolled around; not confident to compete. At age 21, I joined the Metropolitan Police and started exercising to give me the confidence to get up to scratch with the fitness standards! Doing the occasional gym session, I ineitably invested in a home treadmill & completed my first parkrun alongside my sister at Hillsborough, and despite my dislike for the course, I was hooked. I have now completed 64-first on my own, then a single-buggy with my son, and eventually a double with my daughter included! As I got more into running, parkruns turned into 10k's, to 10 miles, half marathons; and after 10 years of balloting and hoping, the London Marathon in 2023 - where i finished in just under 5 hours. I promised myself it was a one time deal, but alas I'd caught the marathon bug and continue to enter the annual ballot. Back in 2016, I packed up my life with the hope of adopting a child with a disability, and the following year was lucky to have my son at home, my daughter following in 2021. Running was rewarding but as a single mother, challenging; running becoming a mental and physical way of self-care. I joined SRC to meet new people and push myself out of my comfort zone. Joining the club has given me confidence running alongside other people - a hobby and like-minded friends! Despite limited child-free time, I still enjoy spending it with the club!

Hi, I’m Rachel H. As a Personal Trainer I have been into fitness all my life but not always into running. I got dragged into my 1st run (The Great North Run) in 2002 by a friend who wanted to get back into running. I then had 2 children, quit work for a while to stay at home with them as my husband worked away. Because he worked away and I have no family in Sheffield, I struggled to do anything for myself & with motivation, I went up 3 dress sizes. I needed some time for me, so when the youngest started nursery I hit the streets. A jog/ walk to start with as I had lost all my fitness & strength. Now the kids are grown up, I am back working which includes most evenings so I can’t get to club runs and I have never been a member of a club for that reason. In November 2023 in a fell race at back & beyond, I was amazed to see most participants in club vest and from as far afield as Hull & York. Intrigued, I stayed for the awards (& tea & cake), it was there I discovered The YVAA but you needed to be a member of an affiliated club, so here I am. I mainly run for fun, for the enjoy of being out in the fresh air, whether that’s wind, rain, snow or sunshine. I like to vary my challenges and step out of my comfort zone, and I have raced at 1k to 100k, from canicross to coal carrying, roads to fells. I prefer the trails & fells these days for races but love to mix up my training on all terrains.