Meet the Leaders : Hedon : Fitmums & Friends

Hedon Fitmums & Friends

Meet the Leaders

Darren Brighton

I had been running a little without much success before joining Fitmums and felt I wasnt getting anywhere. I ran the Bridlington Half Marathon and noticed a group of pink vests, with lots of laughter going on. When i got home my wife told me it would have been Fitmums runners, and maybe i should go along. She knew a few members and how well they had got on, so forced me out of the door one Monday night.

My main goal was to lose some weight. My previous running was hit and miss, and my job had me sat behind a desk. Not a good combination. Joining Fitmums gave me the focus i needed, and i have not looked back since.

Fitmums helped me achieve a lot of weight loss, and gain a huge support network. After a year of running with the group I became a run leader and have really enjoyed helping others. I have completed many 10k and half marathons. In 2017 I was in training for a marathon and sufferred a stroke. Fortunately this was very minor, and with great support, especially from those at Fitmums, my recovery was swift and i was soon back to full health taking on the same runs.

My personal aims now are to get PB's for 5k, 10k and half marathons, and keep improving. Though i would love to do a marathon I am not sure my family could cope with the training I would need. Never say never though.

Just do it! It changed my life for sure. Fitmums is not just a running club. Its a social club, that just happens to go out running.

David Gingel

I joined fitmums as it was the nearest Running club to home. To improve my overall ability to run various distances at variable speeds

I have done 1 Ultra , 4 Marathons , 13 Half Marathons , 1 10 Mile , 6 10K’s , 237 parkruns

To complete another 2 Marathons and 4 Half Marathons, along with the 12 Hour HOTH in August

Come and join one of the best running, walking and cycling clubs in the area where all abilities be it only walking 2 miles up to the 6 miles group.

Sue Burgess

I took up running to de-stress, get fit and relieve boredom following a divorce a few years ago. Running on my own only got me so far so I joined parkrun where I met an old friend, the then coordinator of Hedon Fitmums, she encouraged me to give it a go, the rest you can say is history!

My original goal was to just make that first step through the door, hopefully to make new friends and to progress with my running.

After joining fitmums in 2016, later that year I ran my first Hull 10k and was part of a FM relay team in the Hull marathon, the following year I did my 1st half marathon at North Lincs. I have progressed from a total novice to regularly taking part in 10k, 10 milers and half marathons but more importantly I still run for the enjoyment. However my best achievements are being able to help others and making some really good friends.

As some of my friends will testify I'm rubbish at setting goals, but I just want to continue to enjoy running with my friends and try to keep up with some of them! And I've signed up for a marathon.

To anyone thinking of joining fitmums, just do it, the hardest bit can be walking through the door but we can even help with that too! It may be the best thing you ever do, you'll make new friends, get fitter and wonder why you hadn't done it sooner!

Kathryn Young

I joined Hedon Fitmums and friends in 2015 after talking to a few members who went to the local slimming world club. They assured me that all abilities were catered for and it sounded like a nice friendly and fun group so I joined that week and have been a regular member ever since. I also run at Withernsea Fitmums and have recently become the coordinator for Withernsea and help Hedon when required.

My original goal was to get home in one piece after running my first mile.

I signed up for a 5K Santa run and then just kept upping the miles and after running the Ferriby 10 miles this year I would like to do a half marathon next.

I would like to do a half marathon next year.

I would recommend Fitmums and friends to anyone wanting to start running through to runners who want to be pushed a bit further as we cater for all abilities. I find being a member keeps me motivated to run throughout the year come rain or shine.