Meet the Leader - James
James started running in October 2017, having been on a weight loss journey for the previous couple of years. After beginning his forties weighing in at nearly 25 stones and with a number of health issues, he managed to literally halve his body weight. Running was a significant part of that journey. He freely admits to not having a clue what he was doing in the early stages. He tried the Couch to 5k app, but felt it moved on too quickly for someone wanting to lose weight at the same time. Like many people, he thought running groups were full of super-fit, super-fast people but, in December 2017, he plucked up the courage to go to his local Jog Derbyshire group and from then on has never looked back.
After a handful of parkruns James began running more regularly and took part in his first organised race, the Derby 10k, in March 2018. He loved it and, ever since, has truly been bitten by the running ‘bug’. A first half marathon followed on August 2018, swiftly followed by two more in Manchester and Nottingham, and, never one to shy away from a challenge, he completed his first ultra-marathon and marathon in the spring of 2019 – yes, in that order! More events followed in 2019, most notably Endure 24, where he ran a total of 70 miles and, in July 2019, James completed the 100km Race to the Stones. As well as these races, he continued to add to his tally of half-marathons, completing events in Derby, Nottingham, Shrewsbury, Manchester and the Great North Run. His story also featured in the September 2019 issue of Runners World magazine.
October 2019 also brought the start of Rogue Runners Ripley, alongside Gareth and Martine Roebuck. The idea was first floated during a run and within a few weeks the club was up and running as part of the Jog Derbyshire network of friendly, supportive clubs. One of James’ pet hates is the notion that some people are ‘too slow’ to run, and he has spent a lot of his time since then trying to convince those that feel that way that the runs at Rogue Runners Ripley would be perfect for them. Some new health challenges have meant James’ running has been curtailed a little for most of the last year, but that has given him time to establish the Rogue Walking Group as a firm fixture on our group provision calendar - and make a few plans for the future! He has also clocked up over 100 parkruns and is currently involved in the team setting up a new one in the local area that will be operational in the very near future.
Despite enjoying endurance runs himself, James is passionate about helping beginners to get into running and experience the benefits to both mental and physical health that can be gained. He has delivered five Couch to 5k courses over the last few years, from which a significant number of our members have graduated.
