Sarah Gray used to enjoy a bit of running. Nothing too strenuous, you understand; she’d go for a run with a friend and feel all the better for it.

But time and circumstances meant that it was becoming harder and harder to get out and about and pursue a hobby that was just that – a hobby.

That was some three-and-a-half years ago and there was a danger that her enjoyment of all things running was coming to an end.

But that was when Sarah got lucky.

“I noticed that Running Somewhere Else were holding a beginners’ course,” she said.

“I didn’t have the confidence to join a running club but I thought a beginners’ course would be perfect.”

And the 51-year-old was right.

“I started from scratch and built it up from there,” said Sarah. “I think I went twice a week for eight weeks and it was brilliant.”

It certainly was because these days Sarah is an enthusiastic member of Cirencester-based club Running Somewhere Else, and last year ran in 14 races.

“Before I joined the club I’d only run in two races but last year I ran ten 10K’s and four half marathons,” she said.

The ten 10K’s were part of the club’s 10th anniversary celebrations, and Sarah’s message to anyone thinking about joining the club’s beginners’ course this year, which starts in April, is simple: “Just do it!”

She explained: “The beauty of the beginners’ course is that you are not the only one. There must have been 20 or 30 of us of all ages on my course.

“I did it for social reasons as well as for the running and I’ve made so many friends since I joined the club.

“It keeps me fit and I’ve also got much better at running.”

Running Somewhere Else are running an eight-week beginners’ course from Monday 9th April, starting at 6.30pm at Somewhere Else in Castle Street, Cirencester.

For details, email runningsomewhereelse@hotmail.co.uk, call on 01285 861566 or visit www.runningsomewhereelse.com