A couple from Bishop’s Cleeve are sharing their love for running with people in and around the village.

Johnny and Caroline Rea launched Church Road Coffee Run Club in May and they have been delighted with the response.

“We run a 5K around the village every Sunday morning,” said Caroline. “We usually get 40 to 50 people taking part, but the most we’ve had is 70. We’d have been happy if we’d got just four!”

The runners meet outside the coffee shop in Church Road, which Johnny and Caroline run, for a 9am start.

It’s the same route every week and takes the runners out as far as Kayte Lane although Johnny says they do mix things up a bit.

“On special occasions, we’ll run the route the other way,” he said.

But whichever way they go, it’s certainly something that’s proving very popular.

Both Johnny, 41, and 38-year-old Caroline are keen runners. Johnny is a member of Western Tempo while Caroline runs for Almost Athletes.

But they stress that anyone can take part in the Church Road Coffee Run Club, you don’t have to be a club runner. 

“We’re creating a sense of community in the village, we’re bringing people together,” said Johnny.

“We get a lot of children taking part, some as young as 10, they come with their parents.

“We’ve had people coming with buggies and I’d say the oldest runner has been about 65.

“We have a lead runner and a tail runner on our runs to make sure everyone is safe, the run takes about 20 to 40 minutes.”

Johnny has a PB for the 5K of 17 minutes, 37 seconds, which is impressive considering he started running seriously only three or four years ago.

Originally from London, Johnny and Caroline moved to Bishop’s Cleeve about four years ago.

Almost Athletes are Johnny’s second claim club but his running has really kicked on since he linked up with Western Tempo.

“I’ve knocked two minutes off my 5K, I’ve been working on my speed,” he said.

“But I’d say I’m a marathon runner, I’m running the Paris Marathon in April and I’m hoping to go below three hours. My best is 3.06 and the dream is 2.55.”

Caroline, too, has made great strides in recent times.

“I used to go to the gym but I always wanted to run a 5K,” she said. “In 2019 I did the Couch to 5K but I fractured my ankle and I thought that was that.”

Fortunately, it wasn’t.

“I’ve done quite a few half-marathons and I ran my first marathon in December in Valencia, I ran 4.34,” she said.

“I’m hoping to run the Chicago Marathon this year. With a year of training I'm hoping to knock some time off my PB.”

That would be impressive and Johnny thinks she can continue to improve.

“With my coach’s hat on we're currently working on Caroline’s 5K and 10K speed which should pay dividends in the marathon,” he said.

And with his running hat on he’s hoping that the Church Road Coffee Run Club can help more and more people around the village enjoy the sport.

“If you go along the bypass, you always see five or six people running whatever the time of the day,” he said.

“They’re all training alone but it’s much more enjoyable to run with others, it’s easier too.

“Every Sunday we’re seeing smiling faces, everyone is buzzing, there’s a real feel-good factor.”

And the great news is that there is no limit on the numbers who can take part.

The club, which is free, will also soon be buying some running kit which will make them readily identifiable.

“Some people have been entering races and putting Church Road Coffee Run Club down as their club,” said Caroline.

“People are now asking for kit, we haven’t got the merch yet but it’s coming.”