Nottinghamshire YMCA’s Running Club is free and open to everyone – all abilities welcome! Delivered by our YMCA gym running leaders and coach, we hold training sessions on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 6pm, and our runners hold social runs and enter races all year round.
No one gets left behind!
Running Club timetable
Tuesdays at 6pm
Where: Meet at YMCA Gym at 4 Shakespeare Street
Distance: 5+ miles to push yourself
Thursdays at 6pm
Where: Meet at YMCA Gym at 4 Shakespeare Street
Distance: Less than 5 miles – perfect for beginners and training techniques
Register your interest
If you’re new to our running club, please come along to a Thursday session first so our run leaders can get to know you and your personal goals!
Email runningclub@nottsymca.org or talk to our gym team at reception to get involved or find out more.
Danny Graham, YMCA Running Club Coach“It’s so rewarding to see our club members love running and achieve personal bests (PBs) through pure dedication and enjoyment.”
Meet our Team
Danny Graham
Running Club Coach
Started running: Started distance running in 2014
Created YMCA Running Club: 2015
Favourite distance to run: Half-marathon
Favourite races that you’ve participated in:Tough Mudder and Equinox24
Best thing about running: The satisfaction at the end of a good run, fitness and medals
Best thing about coaching: Seeing our club members achieve their running firsts and earning their personal bests (PBs) through pure dedication and enjoyment
Personal running goals: To run a full marathon and to run a sub 1.40 half-marathon.
Alison Fox
Run Leader
Started running: I started running in 2013, but didn’t really get into it until 2014
Joined YMCA Running Club: Joined at the club’s very beginning in 2015
Favourite distance to run: Half-marathon! I really enjoy longer distances, for the challenge, the ability to zone-out and get into a rhythm
Favourite race completed: Manchester Marathon 2017– First Marathon;
Endure24 2018; Equinox 2018– 24-hour team relay races
Best thing about running: The freedom it brings me. If I’ve had a difficult day, there’s nothing better than lacing up my shoes, and getting out there. I’ve also made some real great friends through YMCA Running Club
Best thing about leading: Sharing my love of running and helping people achieve new goals
Personal running goals: Overall I just want to run happy and be injury-free! My goals this year are to complete my second marathon (in Manchester) and first ultra-marathon (in St Illyds)
Race bucket list: Athens Marathon, Toronto Waterfront Marathon, Reykjavik Half Marathon!
Sofia Aatkar
Run Leader
Started running: 2007 when I entered Race for Life
Joined YMCA Running Club: I joined in 2017
Favourite distance to run: The half-marathon distance is physically and mentally challenging, but the huge sense of achievement when I cross the line means this distance is my favourite.
Favourite race completed: I was part of the YMCA Tough Mudder 2018and that was so much fun!
Best thing about running: It gets me away from a computer screen and has led me to parts of Nottingham city I wouldn’t have otherwise seen
Best thing about run leading: Getting to know members of the running club better!
Personal running goals: Hopefully to run a marathon at some point.
Adele Stacey
Run Leader
Started running: I started running in 2013 when I completed a race for life in memory of a friend. I was training with a couple of mates who suggested we sign up for a half-marathon, so knew I had step up my game and down-loaded a training plan. The feeling and focus felt soooo good that I have loved running ever since.
Joined YMCA Running Club: Pretty much when the club first started in 2015. There are some original members and always new faces, which is great.
Favourite distance to run: When I am running on my own, I always say no less than 3 miles, But I do like a 10-mile run on a Saturday or Sunday morning. If I’m entering a race I go for 10K or half-marathon. If there’s a few hills in the race even better.
Favourite race that you’ve participated in: My first half and full marathons will always be the most memorable races, as I enjoyed a massive buzz for days afterwards. Tough Mudder full-challenge (an obstacle course over 12 miles) was the most fun and a different sort of challenge as teamwork was the key. Tough Mudder full-challenge (an obstacle course over 12 miles) was the most fun and a different sort of challenge as teamwork was the key.
Best thing about running: I love running, not only because it keeps me super fit and strong, but it lifts my mood, releasing all the happy hormones! It has taught me about channelling my focus and embracing challenges, which helps me in other areas of my life, like work and building confidence. Running is an all-rounder.
Best thing about run leading: As I am so passionate about running it’s easy to motivate others and it’s a pleasure to lead the fantastic YMCA Running Club. We motivate each other always and have a laugh too.
Personal running goals: Personal goals are small this year as I am currently undergoing cancer treatment – I run a few miles on good days and I am determined to maintain some sort of running/fitness throughout treatment. My big challenge will be to do a marathon in 2020 (hopefully the Brighton Marathon).
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