Find out about Jo's running journey and raising money for Birmingham Children's Hospital

At 55 years old I have always been quite an active person.  I used to teach aerobics when I was younger and have always done keep fit classes, Zumba, yoga, and lots of dog walking.

The reason I started jogging really was just to get back into it and get fitter and lose weight, as I was going through the menopause and had noticed I was putting weight on.

I found Overseal Running Club on Facebook, and as it was local to me, I started running with them in August 2023. My goal was to get fitter and the Cathedral to Castle 10-mile run was on my running bucket list!

Jo after completing the Cathedral to Castle 10 mile race

The best thing about being part of a group is everyone encourages you, where if I were on my own, I would have given up by now!  I did not realise how supportive the other members would be, and they always push me along with their enthusiasm.  They never leave anyone behind and will forfeit their run to help others.

The group leaders at ORC are amazing.  They give up their time to organise runs and put different runs/distances on to meet everyone's needs.  They are professional in the warmups and cool downs and explain the routes before each session.

I enjoy being outdoors jogging and will go in all weathers. I hate being stuck in a gym on a treadmill!

Through this group, I have become more confident and have met new friends in the group who do other activities outside of running.  We have been wild water swimming, paddle boarding and for long walks in the Peak District.  Which we hope to do more of this summer. I would never have done that if I had not met likeminded people in ORC.

Since I started with ORC, I have made new friends, lost a little weight, and felt fitter.  I can certainly run further and completed the Great North Run last September, raising £1300 for Birmingham Children's Hospital, where my Grandson spent the first year of his life and continues to have operations now.  I plan to do more events this year too.

I now feel a lot more confident in myself on the runs, even though I am still pretty slow compared to everyone else lol!   

Joanne Lockley – awarded Most Improved Female 2024 at ORCs awards ceremony.