Before joining the C25K course with Hartshill Runners. I’d tried doing it solo, but I gave up pretty quickly. I lacked motivation and wasn’t sure what I was doing, so it just fizzled out. When I signed up for the course, I was nervous, new people, not knowing what to expect, and dealing with anxiety didn’t help. But from day one, those worries started to melt away.

The coaches were absolutely amazing. They made me feel so relaxed in the group and kept me motivated every step of the way. They even encouraged us to chat with each other, which brought the whole group closer together, it felt like running family. Thanks to their support, I went from not being able to run far at all to completing a 5K in 27:59, which still blows my mind!

Now that I’ve finished, I feel incredible. I’ve fallen in love with running, and I’m so much healthier and mentally stronger. My anxiety has almost disappeared, and I credit that to the exercise and the boost this course gave me. It was such a great experience that I actually joined Hartshill Running Club afterward, and I have now completed their 5 to 10K course! I’d 100% recommend the C25K to anyone, it’s changed my life, and the support you get is unbeatable.

Testimony from DB March 2025