I had always enjoyed sport but it wasn’t until 2018 in my late 30s that I took part in my first Buckingham parkrun. In 2019 I decided to take the next step and joined BSRC. By the end of that year, I had raced my first 10k and half marathon. During the tough years of 2020-2021, I stepped up to lead many club runs to help keep people running and put myself forward to go on a ‘Leader in Running Fitness’ course. This was accepted by the committee and I gained this qualification in 2022. I have been part of the committee since February 2022.

I have lived in Buckingham all my life and have enjoyed running for a while but only joined the club in 2019 thanks to a recommendation by a family member. I have been a run leader now for the past 3 years and recently joined the committee as the club’s Social Media Officer where I hope to promote the club and its members in all their achievements. Thanks to the members’ help, encouragement and support, I have managed to run distances I never thought were possible. And it has also helped me with my mental health which I have struggled with in the past. There’s nothing better than a chatty run in the Buckinghamshire country with fellow members.

 I was a late starter to running, having spent most of my life playing football the injuries became more often and lasted longer so I hung up my boots in 2017 aged 50. I then spent the next 18 months trying the Gym and body conditioning and as much as I enjoyed it I wasn’t getting the same adrenaline rush as I did in competitive sport. In 2018 I signed up for the Buckingham half having previously run a couple of 5ks ….. well that was a shock when I ran that in the May! So carried on after the half just trying to keep fit, it was during this time that I received some bad news about a close friend who died from a massive heart attack at only 58 years old, I wanted to do something to raise awareness of his unknown condition…….. which gave me the idea to do a challenge and raise money for the British Heart Foundation by running 58 x 10ks in 58 consecutive days. I Joined the club in November 2018 with the challenge starting in the Feb 2019 and was welcomed instantly by its members and during the following weeks given so much advice and support regarding my pending challenge. The support was unwavering during my challenge as various members gave up their time to run with me and help me complete an emotional/physical challenge. So here I am today still a member of this great club and I am a regular run leader giving my support to its members in the same way as I was supported in those early days. Oh I nearly forgot I did run a marathon backwards …. But if you want to hear the gory details on that join me for a run!

I began my running journey at the age of 46, a bit later than most, but it’s a decision I’ve never regretted. It all started after a few glasses of bubbly with a friend, when we both agreed to try the Couch to 5K plan together. Despite feeling a little delicate the next morning, we kicked off our running journey and committed to meeting three times a week. In just a few weeks, we progressed from running for just one minute to a full 30 minutes.

When I decided to train for my first half marathon, I joined BSRC and found it to be a welcoming and supportive club. Since then, I’ve completed numerous events, including two marathons, and made many friends in our close-knit running community.

 I’d lived in Buckingham for a few years before having my children but I didn’t really know many people here.
When life evolved around school pick ups I found that I had time in the evening but I didn’t want to go out on my own for a run. Joining the running club gave me the motivation to get out and get running no matter what the season or the weather. I have made some really good friends in the club and have always found the club to be a friendly and encouraging place to be.
I have previously been a member of the committee but stepped down after a prolonged injury so I feel sympathy for those in the club battling with an injury and trying to think of inventive ways to keep moving to take the edge off not running.
I enjoy a parkrun usually with my dog and enjoy the social side of running with everyone.
I also enjoy a challenge and have taken part in the Cyprus Challenge a number of times and numerous other events of different distances including my first Marathon in 2024 and Paris marathon to follow in 2025.

SHERYNE SHILLINGFORD-REED

I have been a member of the BSRC since 2022 when I joined post Covid to get out and restart my running journey with company! I initially started running in 2007 after recovering from a bad ankle break that resulted in a steel plate. My consultant told me I’d never dance or wear heels again and since I was learning to walk again, running was completely out of the question. I’d been a sprinter and hurdler in school, but something about his words gave me a goal; I would run again. It took a few years, but I eventually completed the Women’s Challenge in Hyde Park in 2007 it was 5k wholly in the park and it felt like an immense achievement at the time. I went on to challenge myself to run 10 half marathons in 2010 and even added in a triathlon for good measure, my first and my last! I ran the London Marathon for the first time the following year and after hobbling over the finish with an injury decided marathons were not for me! A year after joining the club I was inspired to run another marathon and completed the virtual London Marathon. In 2024 I ran both the London and Chicago marathons and am now aiming to run all seven of the World Majors!

My favourite running moments would be tandem nursing both my children in Hyde Park after running the Royal Parks Half when my daughter was just six months old and running Chicago on my birthday in 2024 with Prosecco shots on the way round! I love collecting medals and I run to calm my busy mind and give me the head space to think clearly. Running keeps me healthy both physically and mentally.

I’ve run four marathons now with more in the pipeline (plus an ultra 😬), but half marathons have stuck as my favourite distance. I have no desire to ever stop, I’ll keep showing up and I hope to make a difference along the way if only because I don’t look like a marathon runner and that alone could inspire someone somewhere who doesn’t think they can.