Meet the Leaders

Wendy Williams

I joined Fitmums to improve my fitness and meet new people and soon achieved these goals and so much more. Since joining I have become a Run/Walk Leader, Mental Health Champion and In the Pink Supporter.  All roles which I love and feel privileged to undertake.

When I joined Fitmums I had no desire to enter races but with the encouragement and support from others I have participated in many 10k’s and a couple of half marathons, all of which are great personal achievements for me.

Recently I have been involved in setting up Fitness Walking groups at both our daytime and evening sessions. These sessions offer people an alternative to running – whether it be a lead up to running, a place where runners recovering from injury can stay involved with the club or for anyone who wants to have a really nice time chatting with lovely people whilst getting fresh air and exercise.

My advice to anyone thinking of trying Fitmums is just give it a go, I am sure you will not be disappointed.

Allison English

I am really into running so this is why I joined Fitmums. I used to do athletics and my event was 100m hurdles but due to an injury I had to give this up, so this is why I decided to join Fitmums and Friends. My goal was to see if I could run a 10k as distance running is very different to sprinting.  My ambition was to do a marathon so for my 40th birthday this is what I decided to do.  This is my aim for this year with the help of Fitmums and Friends. I would say if anyone wanted to join Fitmums and Friends it is a great place to come and run and meet new people as there is plenty of chatting and a great atmosphere with encouragement from everyone.  We are all such a friendly group it is just like one big happy family.

Laura Gulley

I joined Fitmums when it first came to Beverley - 6 years ago now! I had run before having my third child but really wanted to get back into it and loved the idea of running with a group. So I went along and have never looked back! My original goal was just to run, have some time to myself and make some friends but I was thrilled when I started to increase my distance and finally pluck up the courage to enter races. I soon did the run leader training course and have now become the Co-ordinator for the club, a role that I love. I have taken part in lots of races now and am trying to enter ones that I've not done before to broaden my experiences. This year I will do the Great North Run which I'm really excited about and I continue to enter the ballot for the London Marathon which is on my bucket list!

I would really encourage anyone thinking of trying Fitmums to just come along and give us a go - you can try us three times for free and see what we are all about. We cater for all abilities, shapes and sizes and there will be so much support along the way. Plus we love cake! It really is brilliant!

Heather Gibson

I joined Fitmums after watching the Beverley 10k and seeing all the Fitmums running in it, how friendly they all were and the support they gave each other. It inspired me to think I could maybe give running a go.

My original goal was just to be able to run further than the end of my road!! I then managed to run 2 miles, then 3. Moving up through the distances gave me confidence.

As my confidence in running grew I decided to enter the Beverley 10k, I was very nervous. I felt proud of myself and emotional at the finish line. Since then I have taken part in Beverley 10k again and will be doing it again this year. I've done Haltemprice 10k and Dalton Dash 10k and entered Top of the Wolds 10k, which is very much out of my comfort zone!

I would like to continue my running and keep trying new races, possibly a half marathon?! Seeing what others have achieved inspires my running and the support I get from the club members.

If you are thinking about joining, just do it! Fitmums are a supportive, friendly and an encouraging group. They have taken me from non runner to being able to do 10k and I’ve made lots of new friends too. From those who would like to come and run a shorter distance each week to those training for longer distances, fast or slow, there's something for everyone no matter what your ability at Fitmums, and did I mention we like CAKE too! 

Annabel Stevenson

One gloomy winter night a sea of pink ran past my house. I was intrigued to find out who they were as I had just started running and found it difficult to run on my own in the dark. FITMUMS!! The next week I joined them for a run, not far as I hadn’t been running very long. I loved the kind welcome and support from everyone and decided to join.

My original goal was to eventually be able to run a 6-mile run. With the motivation and inspiration from Fitmums I managed not only the 6-mile but a 10k!!! I now enjoy running, so much so I have become a leader to enable me to give back what I have received to others at Fitmums.

If you are thinking of joining just do it you will not regret it!!!

Lisa Adcock

I had been running each week with a small group of friends. One of them knew a couple of Fitmums members and suggested that we gave it a try. I’m so pleased we did! I loved my first night at Fitmums and since then I have never looked back. I also work as a Volunteer in the central team and as a club liaison lead for 4 other clubs. I really enjoy my roles and being part of a fantastic team of volunteers. I have certainly reaped the benefits of volunteering as I feel appreciated and valued.

I have always enjoyed being active and I particularly enjoyed running. My goal for the past few years has been to maintain my level of fitness. Fitmums has the bonus of helping me to meet my goals whilst having fun and meeting lots of people. 

I have done several half marathons, some 10 mile races and I’ve lost count of the 10K’s I’ve run. I also do Parkrun too.

Over the next year I have some 10K’s, 10 mile and half marathon races coming up. I always look forward to the Beverley 10K as there are always a huge group of us that do it and the atmosphere is amazing. 

Come and give us a try! It’s such a friendly group and everyone is made to feel welcome. It doesn’t matter what your running ability is, we have something to suit everyone, right from beginner groups to groups for those people who want to push themselves.

Melissa Malton 

I always enjoyed running at school but having my girls and work I never found I had the energy or time and after 18 years of no exercise it was a struggle to run one mile without stopping. But when a friend invited me to join her for a run at Fitmums one Tuesday morning, I found the group so welcoming and supportive I just had to join. That was two and a half years ago and with the Fitmums support and inspiration I have gone from entering my first ever 10k event to completing my first ever marathon last October. Something I never would have thought possible.  It is this reason that I became a leader to be able to encourage and support others and I love it!

If you're thinking of joining Fitmums just give us a try.  We are a fun, crazy bunch and yes we love cake xx

Gina-Marie Peckitt

I joined Fitmums just under two years ago as I wanted to ‘get fit’ for my 50th birthday. I hadn’t done any serious exercise for at least four years. I heard about Fitmums from some friends who were members of the Withernsea club. I contacted the Beverley club and received a lovely reply and I decided there and then I would join (even though I knew Fitmums allow you to attend three free sessions before signing up) I wanted to commit to something, that way I knew I would attend regularly.

I enjoyed the Tuesday morning sessions so much I decided to increase my running to include the Thursday evening session. I also attend the buggy bootcamp sessions on a Friday which includes toning and resistance work. Since joining Fitmums I have completed several 10k races and have also entered a 10 mile race which I will be doing in February (2020).  

I have met some wonderful people at Fitmums and made some fantastic like minded new friends. In November 2019 I became a Fitmums leader and would encourage anyone to join our wonderful Fitmums family. As other leaders have said we all love cake and I make a very tasty (even if I say so myself) fruit and nut flapjack. Why not come along and give us a try?  We would love to see you.

Ed Husband

I joined Fitmums and Friends in the spring of 2018, after been recommended by a friend. It has helped me improve my confidence, health and increased my social network. I have represented Fitmums and Friends at various events, including team events at local and county level cross country and road relays.

I have had a change of lifestyle over the past four years, where I joined Slimming World in October 2016 and lost six stone in weight. This has enabled me to participate and enjoy running, which previously I had been unable to do. I entered my first event in 2017, the Jane Tomlinson Leeds 10k. This was where the incentive and my love of running developed. I entered more events which ranged from 10k's, half marathons and marathons. In September 2018 I completed the Great North Run followed by the Yorkshire Marathon the next month, which I really enjoyed. In 2018 after completing my second marathon in Manchester, I decided to enter a marathon abroad, a personal goal which I achieved in Amsterdam, in October 2019. This was a great experience running in a different country and gave me an opportunity to meet fellow participants from all over the world. 

Running is now a big part of my life, ensuring I lead a healthier lifestyle. I enjoy running individually and with friends.  

In November 2019 I became a run leader after completing the LIRF (Leadership in Running and Fitness) course by England Athletics. Becoming a leader has had many positives, not only helping volunteer at my local club but enabling me to help members achieve personal running/fitness goals, help individuals health and well being, confidence and self-esteem.

My plans for 2020 include the Manchester Marathon, The Great North Run in September, and the possibility of a trip to Athens in November to compete in the Athens Marathon which is on my 30th birthday. I also plan to run at local and national 10k's and half marathon events too.  

Fitmums and Friends is a welcoming, inclusive and a very friendly club. I want to help and support members achieve their goals by supporting them and sharing my running experiences with them.

Jorunn Jonsdottir

Hiten Joshi

Liz Willans

Jane Hobman

Steve Adcock

Angie Colley

Rob Newton

Polly Campbell

Karen Allen

Sue Foster

Jayne

Kay Farrow

I joined Beverley Fitmums in 2016 after meeting founder Sam Barlow and after taking part in a session at Cottingham Fitmums. I was made to feel very welcome at Cottingham and loved the supportive and encouraging ethos of Fitmums, the inclusivity, the friendliness and the attention to detail in the organisation of the club.

I enjoy running with Beverley Fitmums and love the variety of the routes, the choice of different distances and the opportunity to make new friends. I responded to an appeal for more run leaders after only a few weeks as a member of Fitmums. Since then I’ve led a group on most Tuesday mornings and Thursday evenings, run with most members of the club and done my best to learn everyone’s name!

Although relatively new to Fitmums I’ve been a member of Beverley AC for more than 20 years and have lots of experience of running and races. I’ve run hundreds of races from 5k to marathon – road, trail and cross-country – and am also a regular parkrunner. I’ve run all of the established local races numerous times and am now trying out the many new races that have been introduced to the running calendar recently. My favourite distance is half-marathon and I also love off-road challenge events where runners have to navigate their way round the course and eat cake.

I want to use my experience as a runner to support and encourage Fitmums and Friends to achieve their running goals.