Bishop of Ripon: why I love running

When the Bishop of Ripon called this month for the city to get a new sports village, she wasn’t speaking purely in a professional capacity.

The Rt Rev. Dr Helen-Ann Hartley is a keen runner who believes exercise has more than physical benefits.

Usually she runs alone but she’s also a member of Ripon Runners, and occasionally swaps her maroon robes for the club’s maroon colours.

The Stray Ferret was curious to discover more about the link between fitness and godliness and cheekily asked Helen-Ann is we could join her for a run.

She cheerfully agreed and on a pleasant eight kilometre jaunt around Ripon explained more about her journey from non-runner to regularly taking on distances of up to 16 km.

The Rt Rev. Dr Helen-Ann Hartley in her more usual attire.

She didn’t start running until two years ago, when she was 45. She says:

“I decided to give the couch to 5k programme a go. I never thought of myself as a runner, I enjoyed walking and going to the gym.

“But some friends had tried the programme and I thought it would be fun to try.

“I soon found the benefits of running both physically and mentally and starting Parkrun in August 2019 was a real milestone in my running journey.”

Read more:

Helen-Ann typically runs five to 15 km three times a week. Her personal best for a 5k is just under 30 minutes — it was 45 minutes when she started.

“To be honest though, I’m not that fussed about timing! My longest run was just over 16 km and I’m aiming for a half-marathon.”

Does running help with her day job?

“I think it does, because I use running to create space; I’ve often mulled tricky things over in my mind, or pondered a sermon and almost always come up with an idea or a different perspective because I’ve been out and about.

“I even pray as I run sometimes, when I’m running down streets I think of the people and the businesses and hope they’re doing ok, especially at the moment.”

Great North Run ambitions

Having grown up in the north-east, Helen-Ann’s ambition is to complete the Great North Run, which is a half marathon from Newcastle to South Shields.

“My dad has done it. I’d love to do it and raise money for a brilliant charity called Daft as a Brush that provided the transport to enable my dad to access his cancer treatment in Newcastle, which thankfully finished just before the first lockdown. The treatment was successful, thankfully.”

As any runner will tell you, part of the joy is discovering new routes and Ripon has plenty to offer.

“I do think the Fountains Abbey Parkrun is an amazing route. I love running along the river Ure in Ripon, though it’s a bit muddy at the moment”.

Bishop spotting

She joined Ripon Runners during lockdown

“Seeing them out and about as individuals or in their bubbles doing a lockdown challenge in fancy dress made me think, they look like a cheery bunch. So I emailed their membership secretary Nicole and got such an enthusiastic response I knew I’d made the right decision.

“As a club they welcome all types of runners, fast, slow and everything in-between. I really enjoy the weekly runs when we are able to gather. Generally though I’m a solo runner and enjoy waving at fellow runners as I go on my way.”

Helen-Ann says she doesn’t get recognised often, probably because she looks so different.

“But occasionally people do a double-take but by the time they have decided if that was or wasn’t the bishop I’m well on my way!”

Harrogate Harriers’ Christmas virtual event plans to boost spirits

The Harrogate Harriers is encouraging all local runners to stay active during the colder, darker months by taking part in a festive virtual event.

The ’12ks of Christmas’ challenge will see runners covering a 12km distance during the first 12 days of December – it can be done in one outing or spread over a few.

Due to covid restrictions the group has had to adapt and find new ways to keep its participants exercising. Its annual 10km had to move online in July this year but it hopes the 2021 event can go ahead in line with any covid restrictions.

The group has ran several other virtual events for its members during lockdown but this challenge, it says, is for everyone to get involved in.

For this fun Christmas challenge the group has teamed up with toynado.co.uk – a Tockwith-based toy company which is offering 12 toy prizes to be included in the daily draws.

Nathaniel Southworth, Harrogate Harriers Treasurer, said:

“During lockdown we’ve been using different virtual events to keep the members engaged but also give them something to work towards. We want to open this out to everyone, all ages and all abilities.

“Lockdown encouraged people to get out and about so there is likely more runners out there who would enjoy this challenge.”

Read more:

Participants will win other items including a discount for next year’s 10km event.

All the profits from the £6 entry fee go back in the club to help them continue encouraging people to get out and exercise within their local community.

To sign up, click here.

IMAGE GALLERY: Harrogate runs the London Marathon

Today saw the VLM — the Virtual London Marathon. Here are some images of runners taking part in Harrogate – some kindly sent to us by the Harrogate Harriers. Did you run the VLM today and raise money for your nominated charity? If you did please share them with us and we’ll add them to this image gallery. contact@thestrayferret.co.uk

Stephen Clegg

Tracy Iles finishing her Virtual London Marathon

Theresa Oldroyd on her VLM

Adam Prentis, chairman of Harrogate Harriers said:

“Today it was simply fantastic to see so many people coming out to support the incredible Virtual London Marathon runners around Harrogate. Some were Club runners, many were social runners, but all have continued to train really hard for months with the principle objective of raising thousands of pounds for their chosen charities. Congratulations to all who undertook the Marathon today. Really great effort.”

Debbie Songhurst at 23 mile point

Nicole Sutton from Ripon

Read More: 

 

Harrogate student runs 465 miles for charity

Morgan Glazier, 18, is aiming to run an incredible 465 miles over 30 days this month.

The student from Rossett School, in Harrogate, is running in aid of the mental health charity MIND, after suffering with OCD for a number of years. He is hoping to improve his mental health during lockdown, through running, whilst raising money for a charity close to his heart.

To meet his 465 mile target, he will add an extra mile to the distance to correspond with the date. For example, on June 1 he ran one mile and then on June 2 he ran two miles, this will continue until June 30 when he will run 30 miles in a day.

His efforts will see him run the equivalent of a marathon or longer on each of the final days. Morgan hopes his run will highlight the positive effects that running can have on mental health. He said:

“Lockdown has been a bit tough and I haven’t been feeling great. I’ve always enjoyed long-distance running and I often use it to get away from everything. It’s a way for me to disconnect myself from negative thoughts and improve my mental wellbeing.”

The mental health charity, MIND, is close to Morgan’s heart. He hopes his running will bring awareness to positive mental wellbeing.

Read more: 

The mental health charity means a lot to Morgan and his family, who said:

“I am doing it in memory of my uncle, who died as a result of his mental health problems, and for everyone who suffers or has suffered with a mental illness.”

To sponsor Morgan, click here.