Your World
COMMUNITY ACTION
I felt compelled to share how impressed and inspired I’ve been since joining my running group, Northowram Pumas. There’s daily inspiration seeing all our members’ amazing achievements, all our run leaders and coaches do this voluntarily for their love of running, it’s inclusive to all and the support and encouragement really is immeasurable from all members and leaders. I wouldn’t be at the point of running my first half marathon had I not joined, and I’ve gained friends and a social life, too.
Our social secretary has organised a running weekend in the Yorkshire Dales, the Christmas party is booked and at tonight’s run we’re hosting a drop-off for the local food bank. There’s good in the world and being part of a running club demonstrates this weekly. I really love our running community and feel better than ever since joining.
Natalie Provan
Great to hear you have found inspiration, support and camaraderie in the running community. A big shout-out to everyone at Northowram Pumas and all those who give their time and energy to supporting and encouraging other runners.
WORTH THE RISKS
I’ve just read Murphy’s Lore (July 23) about women’s safety. I’ve run all my life and while there have been unpleasant incidents (water thrown at me from a car, verbal abuse and a woman who blocked my path as ‘women shouldn’t be running’), the benefits outweigh the risks. Without it, I’d never have seen the sunrise from a beach in Majorca, got caught in a Caribbean storm or seen Florence without crowds. I wouldn’t be healthy and my mental health would be low. So even though a colleague asked if I was ‘trying to get myself raped’ as I described a trail route, I’ll carry on as long as my body lets me because running brings joy to my life. Rebekah Whittaker
ROAD TO RECOVERY
My 71-year-old father-in-law, Colin Noutch, recently had surgery to remove cancer from his oesophagus after a course of radio and chemotherapy.
He’s a regular at Dalby Forest parkrun, and normally gets out for a run three times a week on the coast in Filey. Thankfully, the eight-hour operation went well and the amazing doctors, nurses and surgeon at Castle Hill Hospital all commented that it was a good thing he was so fit.
Colin has a long way to go in his recovery, but he was home within a couple of weeks and his progress has been an inspiration to his family. We are all so proud of him! Hop
