Couldn’t run for toffee, also funny enough the first time I met our coach Sam Miller. In not so great a pair of trainers and on the heavier side I completed couch to 5k back in 2013. My motivation, get myself fit and trim again. As a beginner from that initial buzz of being able to run a 5k non-stop, next goal, completing the hottest, toughest London 10k at that. With each and every milestone a daunting prospect I’ve pushed beyond what I’d run in distance before. So, before you know it I’m addicted, runner’s high – ’tis strong stuff you know.

The following year I up my game encouraged by the crew and undertake a first half marathon no less. Daunted at the prospect of running for over 2 hours I enter Bedgebury Half. A trail route I go for it – nerves, yup had ’em, before the race, mid race and in fact most races. For me part of the psyche of undertaking any challenge but once underway, it’s all about overcoming you’re mind, settling into a rhythm and going for it. Are all runs straight forward? No. Are all runs easy? No. For me often moments of why am I doing this…. again? To, knew I could, when and where’s the next one?

I’ve gone onto run Marathons and the Ultimate goal an Ultra. See like you I’m a runner can’t stop and won’t stop, until I no longer can. It’s the reason I love to encourage others they can too. I was invited by the club to complete an England Athletics Leaders in Running Fitness course in 2016 and now enjoy leading all abilities run and keep improving. It’s not about how far, not even how fast it’s knowing ‘you’ can! It’s what our club is all about with added fun. Happy Running!

My name is Keith Mansell. I have always been an active person since childhood. In my adult life, I have an office based job so find it important to find activities to keep me physically and mentally healthy. Whilst I’ve tried the usual things, football, martial arts, skateboarding, there is always something that pulls me back to the simplest of actives we can do, running.

Having got back into it for a few years now I have tested myself with a number of distances from 5k to marathon and even a summer and winter series. I like to try different races rather than doing the same ones over again. In 2016, I discovered the joy of Sprint Triathlons and ended up doing 5 that year.

This year is another 5. I am hoping to get my swimming up to a standard that I can try and go further distances in the future but always enjoying the training.