Getting out and exercising is something that the UK government has promoted throughout much of this pandemic. Since local gyms, pools, and clubs have shut down, running has become a new hobby for many. For this group in Oxshott, it has been a lifeline.

Due to the current lockdown restrictions, I was unable to meet the members of OVSC (Oxshott village sports club) running group. However, they were still able to answer some questions of mine about their personal experiences with running and how their routines have had to change under recent circumstances.

The group is a mix of men and women, who’s ages range from 40 to nearly 70. Some joined the club at its creation in 2016, but others have signed up as recently as January 2020. From the responses I received, group running is an activity that all of them would highly recommend.

Martin Neve, who joined in October 2017, found the group through an internet search. When asked what difference running in a group makes, he wrote, “Companionship, discipline, challenges all come to mind. We do various disciplines that running as an individual you would not do”. For him, the lockdown has “made the discipline of running regularly harder”, supposedly not helped by his famed “lack of navigational skills”. For Martin, the group is “a way to gradually build up and maintain general fitness in a relaxed atmosphere”, whilst still catering for “all levels”. Having been part of the OVSC for the last three years it’s safe to say Martin enjoys the experience of group running and would encourage others to do the same.

Jo and Kelly, who have both been members of the OVSC running group for the past 4 years, shared similar sentiments on the positive outcomes of running. Kelly, who discovered the group through a friend at boot camp, wrote, “It has been a joy when we have been able to run together as a group and in smaller groups when necessary to meet the government rules.  Running is great for mental health and running in this group is like a group therapy session as we all have a close bond”. Jo also felt that there was a strong sense of community, writing that joining a running group is “a lovely way of meeting different people”.

The most recent member of this close-knit group is Gail Evans, who found the club through a friend, and wrote that running through the pandemic has “really helped to lift my spirits”. Exercising in a group, she wrote, “definitely motivates me when I’m not in the mood and makes me run further and faster”. Her advice to anyone thinking of signing up to a similar group would be to “Join immediately!”.

Lastly, I was able to speak with Yuuichiro Nakajima, who helped me set up a way of interacting with the other OVSC group members in a way that adhered to local lockdown restrictions. Yuui joined the group in 2018 after being invited by its creators, Ian and Dee Smale. He wrote that running in a group makes a difference as it “keeps your morale high and makes you commit to starting, and then completing, the run. The socialising aspect is also very nice”. Yuui also wrote that the pandemic “has made running in groups difficult or against government rules but it has also encouraged me to run more on my own. So it has not all been negative”. Finally, any advice he would give to those considering joining this running group would be to, “Take the plunge! We are really friendly and cater to all levels. Our routes are varied, full of nature and not too challenging. Regular runs give a structure to one's week”.

From being able to read how impactful and beneficial group running is, hopefully those reading this will consider getting out and trying something new. If you are interested in joing this particular group, you can visit them online at RunTogether / OVSC running group / Home. There you can find any information you may need. Thank you to Oxshott Village sports club running group for giving me the privilege of interviewing you and letting others see the benefits of group running.