Here's a selection...

Rachael Cuss - August 2010

I joined Olney Runners 12 months ago after tiring of pounding the treadmill alone, and in an attempt to stay away from the biscuit tin. I did not know anyone else who was a member, but was instantly made to feel welcome by everyone. This friendly welcome kept me coming along every Wednesday night, in all weathers and at all times of the year. The thing I enjoy most about the club, is the fact that it really is a fun place to be, it caters for those of all abilities and everyone is very encouraging and supportive. There are always lots of social activities going on and training sessions that anyone can go to and feel truly welcome. My running has improved, but most of all, it has become a lot more enjoyable, due to running in the company of others, and I can run further and faster now. If you are considering joining, I would say, “just come along and give it a go”, you really wont regret it!

Andrew Betts - July 2010

I took up running after years of back trouble, a major operation, no exercise for longer than I want to remember and a concern that I would never be able to kick a ball about with my children. For me, running was about rehabilitation and I needed a goal, so I applied for a place in a half marathon so I could raise funds for Advantage Africa, the charity I work for. Alongside the looks of concern and amusement I received when I first turned up at Olney Runners in July 2009, wearing my old tennis shoes, I was also given a warm welcome and encouragement that even I had running potential that could be fulfilled. I now enjoy Wednesday nights a lot, and it feels great to be getting fitter each week with all the professional training and tips. I’ve done two half marathons and improved on my time between them by 36 minutes, and also made some good friends along the way. I’ve now entered my first ever marathon, something that I never thought I’d ever be able to do, and am really looking forward to it!

Anne-Marie Hunter

I joined Olney Runners in May 2007 ... well it seemed like a good idea at the time! Although I have never run before (even skived off the cross country at school) I was encouraged to join by good friends. At the time I was still recovering from a serious illness and I saw this as a way of getting fit, whilst having fun. I had met JC the year before because he had heard about a charity auction I was holding and out of the blue, he generously donated a bike for the event. He gave me confidence, along with Dave (Club Captain) that I could do this. So I braved it; went to my first Wednesday session and to my surprise I wasn’t quite as bad as I had thought I would be, nor was I dying at the end of the evening. The coaches are inspirational and always encourage whilst coaxing you on just that bit harder. I discovered the club is not just about experienced, exceptional runners (although of course we have a lot of them), but about being inclusive and helping all levels of ability. I found many people of a similar standard that I could run with and even the really top runners would encourage me as I plodded round the track way behind anyone else on a Monday night. Although I have no real aspirations to win races I did in fact cross the finish line as the first senior vet (ok there were only 10 in my category!) at the Irchester Multi-Terrain race in February 2009 and yes it did give me a sense of achievement. The introduction of circuit training on a Friday night is great fun even if Juliette is a hard task master ... I particularly like the 'plank' - not! The Saturday social run works for all levels as Dave always plans options for everyone and the coffee and chat after the run helps ease me into the Saturday chores. Earlier this year I joined the committee as a co-opted social secretary, a role that I enjoy ... always like a good night out! I have met some wonderful people and, on a good day, can run for several miles ... if I can do it so can anyone!

Jackie Tite

Two months before I joined Olney Runners I wasn’t doing any form of sport, had never run except for the dreaded cross country that I was made to do at school. I was just about to have my 39th birthday and needed to think about my fitness level as alcohol and take-away curry didn’t seem to be having the desired effect! During a drunken bbq at Amanda Brear’s, Dave Pepper convinced me I should try running and he would be my coach. I tried to tell him that I couldn’t run as my feet were on the wrong way, but he insisted I’d be fine. I went shopping for the obligatory sports bra and running shoes and then slowly, very slowly at first started to run around Emberton Park. Dave was great, he was very encouraging and set me little goals each week. After 2 months he declared I was ready to try to run 5 miles and he knew just the race ... to my horror I was going to have to join Olney Runners. I was embarrassed at my slow running pace but after a bit of bullying I gave in and joined Olney Runners. My first training night was the Wednesday night before the annual 5 mile handicap race. My plan was to just run this one race and then not go again! On the day of the race, I started first and came in last but it didn’t matter, I was enjoying myself. I couldn’t believe how friendly everybody was. As people ran past me they encouraged me and at the end 2 runners ran out to run in with me and everybody was applauding - it was GREAT! That was in 2006. I haven’t looked back since, I have competed in the Chicks chase series 3 x 5k races and have also run in the Great North Run. I’m now running 3 times a week and loving it. Go on, come and join us ... you know you want to!

Rachael Passee

I’m Rachael. I joined Olney Runners in 2005 and haven't looked back since. I’m a busy mother of two, and started running in order to get back into shape after pregnancy. My first run, well all I could manage was to jog round the block, taking a massive 8 minutes to complete!!! It was shocking. But I persevered and now proudly have a collection of medals for completing local 5k, 5 miles and 10k races. I have also proudly run a couple of half marathons too, something I never thought I'd have the stamina for. I have learned that you can get exactly what you want out of running. If you just want company and a social jog that's great, but if you want to compete there are always plenty of races to enter. You really do get out what you put in. I thoroughly enjoy meeting on a Wednesday night especially the social drink in the pub afterwards. I have never felt better and have made some fab friends along the way.

Dee Bethune

I started running at the age of 48 in 1997, to compete in the Olney Pancake race. Since then I have become addicted to many aspects of running; especially the social side. I completed my tenth marathon in October 2005 and have no intention of stopping yet. Running with the club gives you options depending on the mood or physical shape you’re in. The sessions are a good way of disciplining yourself and generally for reaching your goals. I enjoy the buzz of racing; the camaraderie, the support and needless to say the occasional 'fat-boys' after a gruelling Sunday run.

Sarah Allen

Having been a regular in the non-winners race at school sports day, I was a latecomer to running in my mid-30's when I entered the Olney Pancake Race for a bit of fun - and was just glad to finish! It was another 3 years before I plucked up the courage to join Olney Runners. I was apprehensive at first because everyone was sure to be better than me (and they were!) but my fears were unfounded. I only encountered friendship, support, constant encouragement and the best in coaching. I have progressed further than I ever imagined possible (though it's been very hard work at times) culminating in 2005 in the most amazing, humbling, euphoric, painful and glorious experience of my life when I ran the London Marathon. I've finally found my passion in life - and Olney Runners helped me make that discovery.

Jane Hughes

Running .. and enjoying it started for me in 2000. For the ten or so previous years, I had done very little exercise, and before that 'jogging' was purely a painful and desperate attempt to get fit for team sports. To start with I ran on my own and thought it was the only way to do it. It was when I started running with a club that I appreciated that having a bit of training structure, running with a group on the dark winter evenings, and chatting as you run, is all very worthwhile! I joined Olney Runners when I moved to the area four years ago and have thoroughly enjoyed the experience. At times I have used the expertise and encouragement of other members of the Club to achieve goals that have been challenging for me. But most of the time I use the structure and regularity of the sessions to maintain my fitness, push myself a little to perform at a level I would never force myself to do if I was running on my own, boost my endorphins to get the 'feel-good-sense-of-achievement' factor, and catch up with some great friends I have made through being a member of Olney Runners. It was with the support and experience of friends in the Club that I completed my first marathon - Dublin 2006. However I have now regained my senses and am thoroughly enjoying just running with the Club on a regular basis with no significant racing challenge on the horizon…at the moment ...