Orlaith Clinton

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!