WELLNESS
LET’S RUN GIRLS Founded in 2016 by running enthusiast Danielle Guy, Let’s Run Girls began with the goal of inspiring women to lead healthier, happier and more connected lives. Dani loved the idea of camaraderie and accountability that came with a running club, but couldn’t find one which she felt catered for her level and approach to the sport. “I was trying to find a group to join, so, for example, I had a look at the university running club,” she recalls. “I remember it made me laugh, as they called their ‘easy’ run an eight-minute mile pace… that’s definitely not easy for me!” She was put off the idea for a while, but returned to it a couple of years later, realising there are plenty of people who aren’t looking to race competitively, and who aren’t prize- winningly fast – but still wanted to experience the benefits of an organised running club. “I think a lot of people struggle with the motivation side of running and holding themselves to account – so that’s what we can help with. And it’s not about how fast you can run, or whatever you might be training for, it’s about getting out there, having a run and a chat, and feeling better for it afterwards. Our mission is to support women to be healthier, active and connect with each other. The last couple of years have really compounded that for us.” Let’s Run Girls began with a Chesterton- based ten-week programme made to support women getting into the sport for the first time, coaching them towards a goal of running for 30 solid minutes. It was a great success, but when it ended, the handful of new runners taking part wanted to carry on meeting.
It’s not about how fast you can run, it’s about getting out there
welcoming, supportive environment for women of all abilities, at any stage of their fitness journey. The group’s membership ranges from absolute beginners to ultramarathoners – and plenty of members began by going through the beginners’ course, meaning there’s always someone around who knows exactly how the newbies are feeling. “Everybody is so supportive,” stresses Dani. “You build these great relationships that you’d never have done otherwise. I think that’s really important, because making friends can be challenging as an adult. “Then there are the physical benefits, which are obviously hugely important,” she continues. “But maybe more important are the mental and social benefits. With Let’s Run Girls or any kind of community, you feel part of something bigger than you, and we know that has massive benefits for an individual.” As for the future, Dani hopes LRG will keep growing – the organisation (now officially a social enterprise) is dipping a toe into Essex and there are rumblings in the Fenlands, too. “My long-term goal is that if anyone across the UK liked our ethos and wanted to support women to get into running, they could be part of Let’s Run Girls – and we could support them to train up as leaders and set up their own group. We want to support women to support other women. We’re looking county-wide first – and then the rest of the country, who knows!”
“So we set up what we call our ‘steady run’, which is half an hour, week in week out,” says Dani. “But we also found that there were new people who wanted to start running with us, so we thought: ‘OK, we’ll need to do another beginners’ course as well’. We soon needed more leaders to support that… and it’s kind of grown organically from there!” Today, Let’s Run Girls is a thriving community, with 15 groups across Cambridgeshire catering for some 700 individual runners. Dani wants the group to feel as inclusive as possible, providing a
PART OF THE TEAM With branches throughout the city and the county, Let’s Run Girls aims to create a community for women to support each other on their fitness and wellbeing journeys
52 JANUARY 2023 CAMBSEDITION.CO.UK
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