Ten women from Hanham and Kingswood became international athletes last month after they flew to Poland to take part in the Krakow Half Marathon.
They are members of the local women’s running group Lace-up Ladies, which was set up by Kingswood’s Katy Webster two years ago to promote the value of running in a women-only group, which she says has “many benefits including safety, friendship, motivation and accountability”. Over the last two years, the group has steadily grown and now has around 30 regular members.
The trip to Krakow was almost a year in the planning and provided the perfect opportunity to showcase the team’s new T-shirts sponsored by Hanham-based business Shield Services Group as part of their community programme. Shield said: “This is what Believe In Giving is all about. Supporting our people, empowering communities, and celebrating strength, teamwork and friendship every step of the way.”
Ten women took part in the trip: for some, it was their first ever half-marathon and for others it was a chance to show off their training with the group and bring home a personal best time. The visit to Poland was also a chance for the team to complete the Zielony Jar parkrun on the edge of Krakow the day before the race.
Katy said: “I started the Lace-up Ladies running group because I’m passionate about running and the benefits its provides. I wanted to give women within the Hanham and Kingswood community with a safe, fun and friendly place to run helping them to achieve their goals while also keeping myself accountable.”
Lace-up Ladies run in locations in Hanham and Kingswood and meet twice a week. For more information, email laceupladiesrunning@gmail.com