Keen runner Annie Campbell is chasing a PB in tomorrow’s Cirencester Half Marathon.

The 26-year-old, a member of Cirencester Athletics Club, ran one hour, 39 minutes, 17 seconds in Devizes earlier this year and she said: “I’m looking to go a bit quicker than that.”

Campbell is originally from Durban in South Africa but is settled in this part of world after marrying her husband Luke, who is also a keen member of Cirencester AC.

“He’s an ultra-marathon runner,” she said. “He completed the Cotswold Way 100-mile ultra in September 2023, it took him 32 hours."

Annie Campbell has been a member of Cirencester AC for the past couple of years since moving to the town and she’s enjoyed every minute.

“I used to run in South Africa but not competitively,” she said. “I didn’t run with the same intensity that I run now, nor with the same positivity!

“I really enjoy running 10 to 15K, I try to run at least 30K every week although last week I ran 50K.

“I love being part of Cirencester Athletics Club, the club pushes you to do things you wouldn’t necessarily do on your own, the training sessions are tough.”

And although Campbell didn’t run competitively in South Africa, she certainly developed a love for the sport in her home country.

“South Africa has an incredible running community," she said. "I was very connected to Beloved Long Runs.”

Beloved Long Runs is an informal long running group that helps competitors prepare for the Comrades Run, the world-renowned ultra-marathon that takes place annually in South Africa.

“The group were fundamental to my running journey,” continued Campbell. “We used to go out running at 4.45am for a 10K run most days, except Mondays!"

A half-marathon is 21.1 kilometres so tomorrow’s race is well within her range.

“I ran 26K on my birthday,” she said. “Every year I run the age that I’m turning on my birthday, I ran it around Cirencester.”

And she wants to continue to push herself.

“I’m hoping to do a marathon next year,” she said. “I’ve not done one yet, I’m pacing myself!”

She also says that the Comrades Run is “on my bucket list” but more immediately her focus is on Sunday’s big race, which starts at 9am in Market Square in Cirencester town centre.

It also finishes in Market Square and for Campbell, who has a PB of 22 minutes for the 5K, this race is just that bit more special because she is also raising money for The Long Table, a pay-as-you-can restaurant in Cirencester where people pay what they can afford for a delicious meal.

“It’s based where House of Fraser used to be, it’s now called The Old Department Store,” Campbell said.

“I work for The Grace Network which oversees four social business enterprises at The Old Department Store". Each business is a community interest company, we’re not a charity.”

“We opened about a year ago and it’s added huge value to Cirencester. Over the past year we’ve served more than 10,000 meals at The Long Table, it’s about quality and dignity.”

And The Grace Network have also set up TODS Run Club - TODS is short for The Old Department Store - which meet every Tuesday evening.

“It’s amazing to see how much progress we’ve made,” added Campbell.

And it’s clear that Campbell’s running is progressing at a good pace too.