I started running just over 12 months ago when my grandad was taken ill at the young age of 91. Initially we thought it was only a chest infection, but after months of diagnosis we found out that sadly it was cancer. This came as a real shock to the whole family as he had never smoked before in his life. Wanting to help him and perhaps others, I had seen the adverts for the Race for Life and thought this could be a great way of doing it.

One of the ladies on my course had just started a beginners running group so I thought this could be a good way of getting started, as at that time I got out of breath just running up the stairs! I didn’t think it would be easy but aiming towards taking part in a 5k Race for Life would enable me to help thousands of other cancer sufferers like my grandad. Joining the group was fantastic and gave me all I needed to achieve my goal.

Sadly my grandad passed away a few days before the July Race for Life, but I still persevered and completed it.

As my love for running has grown and grown I have carried on with the group, I have managed to complete several more 5k & 10k races and a half marathon . I work full time and find running is a fantastic way of relaxing and removing any stress that may arise from the daily routine.

It’s from this love of running I decided to become a Run England group leader. This allows me to share my enthusiasm for running with other beginners and offer support as well as the opportunity to run in a safe and friendly environment. Other training under taken: Nutricain, Plyometrics, Training Principles and Agility training.

Alan Keane from Oldham Community Leisure said:

“Running is a very affective way of improving your health but it can be difficult to keep motivated especially when doing it alone so it is great that Nikki will be helping individuals who are taking their first steps.

OCLL and the Oldham Outdoor Network will always offer support to individuals and community groups wanting to help other people become more active more often in the outdoors.”