C25K-TO HALF MARATHON

I signed up to Jog Belfast two years ago after trying to do a C25K on my own during lockdown. From the first session of Jog Belfast I felt completely at ease, and really welcomed by everyone. The coaches are non-judgemental, and know that everyone is started from the same place, not having run 5K before. Nobody is ever left behind, or running on their own, and it feels like we are all part of the one team. Every week pushed us to go a wee bit further, and by the end, it was amazing to see the progress we had all made. The graduation run at the end, will always stick out in my mind – it’s the best craic ever, and so great to see people completing their first 5K, having started together on day 1. There’s also cake at the graduation run!

If anyone if thinking about signing up, just do it! You’ll be so surprised at how far you can come in 10 weeks. After my graduation run, because I had such an enjoyable experience with Jog Belfast, I didn’t want my running journey to be over. I joined a follow on group with Fiona Maguire, and on September 17, two years after my first 5K, I ran my first Half Marathon in Belfast alongside coaches Bronagh Mervyn and Roisin Murtagh, who are also Jog Belfast coaches. Girls that I had graduated JB with actually came to watch us along the route, which is proof that Jog Belfast is one big community, with everyone supporting one another. 

Join Jog Belfast today! You won’t regret it at all. I couldn’t run for 30 seconds without stopping when I started, now running is part of my life and I don’t know what I’d do without it. I’ve made friends for life and feel part of a brilliant group of people. And, the price is less than you’d pay on a takeaway at the weekend!

While working from home during covid I piled on the pounds and became very socially withdrawn. My risk of heart disease and stroke increased with my cholesterol. Joining couch to 5k was the beginning of me focusing on my health and wellbeing. The coaches and other ladies made me feel so welcome and gave me the encouragement I needed to keep turning up. I still find running a challenge but I have lost weight, feel fitter and have made new running friends for life. Completing Parkrun was a huge achievement and I can’t wait for the next program to start.
Audrey Bankhead

I have now completed the Waterworks Jog Belfast programme twice; first in 2021 and again in 2023 as part of my steps back into fitness while on Maternity leave. Being able to bring my babies in the buggy while I exercised was fantastic; helped greatly by the fact that the timing of these morning sessions fell within the morning nap time – a great benefit for all Mums and babies! Margaret and Ita are two incredibly supportive women who are a testament to the Jog Belfast programme. They give up their time generously each week and are always full of the best craic and running guidance. I couldn’t recommend this programme more to any postpartum mums; it’s outdoors, it’s cheap, it’s fun and regardless of your fitness level you will be able to complete a parkrun 5k by the end of the programme!

Following a brain haemorrhage as a result of a fall i was advised to do nothing for 6 months. The end of the 6 months coincided with the September ’18 C25k in Dixon Park. I thought this would be a good way of building up regular exercising again. The coaches were great and the craic with the other runners was brilliant. As a result, I now volunteer at Orangefield parkrun and run it occasionally too. Everyone should try this,  no excuses!

Dave Mackey

Love this programme it was recommended to me and I took part in Dixon park playing fields C25k in April 2017 being agoraphobic it was one of the biggest challenges of my life ! the coaches where brilliant from start to finish and I graduated on 1st July 2017. 
I’m now run director at Orangefield parkrun and looking forward to welcoming all the new recruits from the up and coming autumn programme 🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️👏🏼

In January I decided to join Jog Belfast C25K with my daughter Orlaith, 8. Orlaith had been going to the parkruns for nearly a year and I thought it would be something both of us could do together! We ran through rain, sleet, wind for the 10 weeks and stuck to every session. Times I didn’t want to go and made every excuse but Orlaith wouldn’t let me give up! She loved the sessions, leading the group every week! The coaches were brilliant and we both gained so much confidence, as well as great friends and have now joined the North Belfast Harriers. I never had any interest in running before, now I have completed 10k runs. It has changed both of us, we love going out running together and keep each other motivated to push further each time. We have entered lots of races and have started to build up a medal collection. Thanks to Jog Belfast!

I started the Jog Belfast Programme in January 2018. In summer of 2017 I became very unhappy with the way I looked and realised I needed to do something about it. My mummy is part of the North Belfast Harriers and is always out running long distances with her friends. I remember thinking one day “I wish I could do that”. After nagging me, my sister and my best friend for ages to take part we eventually bite the bullet and registered. I remember the first night before we left the house to head to Girls Model, it was freezing outside and I could not of thought of anything worse than running in the cold but we headed up with our coats and gloves on.

As the weeks went on I could see myself getting better and better and being able to run for longer lengths of time as the weeks progressed. My mummy played a huge part in motivating us to keep going and not give up. After the 10 weeks were up we did our graduation run in the Waterworks. My mummy was doing running director that day and was very encouraging to everyone who was there for the first time.

I now complete the Park Run every Saturday morning with my mummy and have also joined the North Belfast Harriers running club. I run 3-4 times a week with the best bunch of people. We have so many laughs and everyone is very encouraging and supportive of eachother. We have participated in a few 10K runs and they have been the best fun. Since January, running has helped me lose 2 stone and in doing that I now have a lot more confidence in myself. If someone told me this time last year that I would have achieved half of what i have, i would have laughed and said they were lying. I couldn’t have done what I have without the encouragement that my mummy has give me over the past number of months. For anyone thinking that they could never run 5K, you can! Jog Belfast was one of the best things I have ever done and I couldn’t recommend it enough.

I used to watch people running the roads and always thought “fair play wish I could do that”. Then I seen the Jog Belfast ad for C25K and thought “I’m going to give this a go”. I went along the first night, alone, and was welcomed by everyone. The coaches were great and there was people of all abilities supporting each other. Come the end of the 10 weeks I couldn’t believe it I could run 5K – I was so chuffed!! I decided to join the West Belfast Coolers and a year and a half later I am still going, have done lots of 5k, 10k and an 8 mile run but more importantly I have made some amazing friends. For anyone thinking of trying running I would say “go for it” you will be amazed how well you can do 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️. Rita xx

I was inspired to start jog Belfast by my 4 year old daughter – Eve.  Eve regularly takes part in junior parkruns and loves running – her confidence and enjoyment was amazing to watch and I thought maybe I could do that!
Having never run in my life and it possibly being the most scary thing I have ever thought about doing never mind the trainers you have to wear!(haven’t owned trainers since school!) In January this year I turned up at Girdwood in the rain! The next ten weeks were rain, snow, wind, run, rain, snow, wind, run! It sounds awful but it was one of best things I have ever done in my life!!! And the sun came out for our graduation run in the waterworks!
Our coaches were amazing and we had such laughs along the way!
I have now joined North Belfast Harriers – with my Jog Belfast friends!! Friends for life and the things you learn running are entertaining to say the least. We are now running 10k’s and getting medals and we are legends!!!!!
Anyone considering Jog Belfast – do it! You won’t regret it – you’ll get fitter, feel healthier, meet amazing people and have all
the laughs!!!!!