I am not a natural runner or athlete! However, having met this great group of women I have progressed to running three times a week and know that if I can do this (hopefully!) then anyone can.

We are all Barnet residents and are delighted that our efforts will support the great work of Age UK Barnet. We will do our best and hope, with your support, to raise a significant sum of money for this fabulous charity.

Our all-female running group began its journey in April 2019 when a few of us, as total strangers and novice runners, completed the Learn to Run programme, culminating in running for 30 minutes continuously at the end of eight weeks. That felt like a massive achievement at the time!

We enjoyed running together and wanted to continue. Luckily, the wonderful Ruth Owen was persuaded to coach us, our group swelled in numbers and Ruth’s Running Club was born!

So far we have only completed a couple of virtual 10km races due to lockdown restrictions so the Royal Parks Half Marathon will be a significant challenge! However, our group is supportive and inclusive and our collective determination will hopefully drag us all over the finishing line.