Stride Magazine - Spring 2026

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the jogscotland magazine | Spring 2026

Inside Meet our Annual Award winners!

Welcome to our new members “Me and my groom ran a wedding parkrun!”

Making it through prostate cancer – and back to running jogscotland.org.uk

2 Our fun, friendly jogging groups are perfect for people who want to get active for the first time, or more experienced runners.

Nobody is “too slow” to join jogscotland – total beginners welcome!

Mums on the Run helps mums enjoy the physical, social & psychological benefits of being active outdoors. You can take your wee one to class with you in the buggy too!

Running has never been so easy!

Whatever your age, whatever your ability Morning, noon and night • Towns, cities, villages Parks, pavements, trails, woodlands, beaches, schools and workplaces For more information visit www.jogscotland.org.uk or jogscotland@scottishathletics.org.uk www.facebook.com/JogScotty • www.x.com/jogscotland

Our welcoming Menopause Friendly groups are committed to flexible sessions and open conversations to help youstride stay active through this stage of life. jogscotland magazine | Winter Winter 2016

Encouraging employees to be more active makes good business sense. Jogworks can help avoid some of the physical and mental health issues affecting the workplace.

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Meet the Jog Crew

Jo Skead

Morven Bruce

Hazel Crawford

jogscotland Programme Manager

Marketing & Digital Communications Manager

Head of Development and Participation hazel.crawford @scottishathletics.org.uk 07960 582 838

jo.skead @scottishathletics.org.uk 07903 180 453

Laura Kirkland

Evie McGown

Coaching administrator (Jog Leader course bookings)

Membership administrator

coaching @scottishathletics.org.uk 07568 226 992

membership @scottishathletics.org.uk 07391 845 783

Stride – the jogscotland members’ magazine Editor: Sue Gyford

Designer: Adrian Hallam, 3fiftysixmedia Ltd

Published by scottishathletics. Copyright©2026 Scottish Athletics Ltd. www.jogscotland.org.uk

www.twitter.com/jogscotland

www.facebook.com/jogscotty

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Welcome!

by Sue Gyford

Stride magazine | Spring 2026 Welcome to the Spring 2026 edition of Stride magazine – doesn’t it feel wonderful to have reached the season of increasing light and warmth?

We’re delighted to have hundreds of new runners join the jogscotland family, as so many people use the start of the year to begin working towards new goals. If you’re one of them, welcome! We hope your first weeks with us have been fun and that you’ve impressed yourself with everything you’ve achieved so far. On page 12, you’ll find some top tips to help you keep going, and make sure that New Year’s resolution turns into a long term love of running!

Another great source of inspiration is on page 8, where we’ve got news of our Annual Award Winners. Every year, our members make us proud when we read the nominations and find out about all their achievements, and this year is no exception.

Thanks to everyone who took the time to make nominations, and a huge congratulations to our winners.

p8

Rosie McGrane, Jog Leader of the Year

p14 Anna and Chris from Carluke jogscotland

A sense of community and a love of celebration are very much part of jogscotland, and there can be no better example than the story of Anna and Chris from Carluke jogscotland. As their wedding approached, they decided to do a parkrun instead of hen and stag dos – and all their jogging pals came too, dressed in veils, kilts, and other wedding finery!

On a different note, jog leader Jim Glennie tells us how On The Run Cumbernauld has helped him feel a sense of normality while being treated for prostate cancer, and dealing with the slow recovery process. Once again, the jogscotland sense of community is at the fore.

Whatever this spring brings you, be it joyful or challenging, I hope you find support and camaraderie from your jogscotland pals – here’s to 2026!

Sue Gyford, Editor

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p18 Jim Glennie

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Contents News and events

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4J jogscotland Annual Award winners

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Welcome to our new members!

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Try parkrun!

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Who needs a stag or hen do, when you’ve got parkrun?

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Meet our new Head of Development and Participation

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Coming back from prostate cancer

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Book corner

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Craig Wilson – Jogging along

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Just click on a title to go straight to the page!

Design: 3fiftysixmedia.com

sponsor and funder

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News and events Share your thoughts Here at jogscotland HQ, we’re exploring membership options for people who can’t attend a local group — whether that’s due to injury, illness, other commitments, or simply not having a group nearby. If that sounds like you and you’d still like to feel part of the jogscotland community, we’d love to hear from you. What would matter most to you? For example • Community & motivation • Insurance for solo running • Training programmes to follow • Advice and resources • Being connected to the wider jogscotland network.

• Something else?

If you’d like to share your thoughts, drop a line to our programme manager Jo Skead, on jo.skead@scottishathletics.org.uk

The Runner’s Guide to Menopause Dr Juliet McGrattan has been a huge help to jogscotland in our efforts over the years to raise awareness about running and the menopause. Together we have delivered a number of online sessions which have been hugely appreciated by our community. Now we are pleased to help promote a new book written by Juliet on this important topic.

Juliet says: “I didn’t know how difficult it would be to keep running through menopause until I was there in that situation for myself. Running can change so much as your body is changing both mentally and physically. Menopause is NOT an easy time of life to run. Yet we need running more than ever at that stage in our lives. So I knew what I had to do – I had to do the research and write a book. I hope that with the help of a few experts and words from runners themselves that this guide will help you to keep going.”

The Runner’s Guide to Menopause is out on 26 March, and can be pre-ordered – see https://linktr.ee/therunnersguidetomenopause for details.

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Drop in to The Nook for your mental health Our charity partners, SAMH (Scottish Action for Mental Health) have launched a fantastic new initiative for anyone needing support with their mental wellbeing.

The Nook, in Wilson Street, Glasgow, offers drop-in mental health support in a safe, stigma-free and non-clinical environment – without the need for an appointment. A skilled and compassionate team offer services including talking therapies, wellbeing activities, and information on resources. They can support young people (10+), families and adults experiencing mental health problems impacting day-to-day living.

Work is already underway on a new Nook for Aberdeen, due to open later this year, and the plan is to have a whole network across the country.

Find out more at https://www.samh.org.uk/about-us/the-nook

Train as a jog leader Could you share your enthusiasm for running with others? You don’t have to be a fast runner to be a jog leader with jogscotland – you just need a passion for helping people get active. Some of our best jog leaders are recent beginners, who remember just what it was like to take those first few steps!

We have two more opportunities this spring to take our Leadership in Running Fitness course.

The blend of online and in person practical learning will give you all the knowledge you need to set up your own jogscotland group, or lead with an existing group.

Choose between courses in Dunfermline on 29 March, or Glasgow on 25 April. These dates are for the practical sessions, with morning or afternoon options available each day. Online learning modules will be completed prior to the practical. Find out more at: https://jogscotland.org.uk/jog-leaders/jog-leader-courses/

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4J Studios jogscotland Awards The winners of the 4J Studios jogscotland Annual Awards for 2025 have been revealed – and we’re so proud of them all – congratulations to all of you!

Our final winners in four categories were announced at the 4J Studios scottishathletics and jogscotland Annual Awards, held at the Hilton Hotel Glasgow, on 29 November. It was a very special evening, with Guest of Honour Christine Ohuruogu interviewed on stage by host Bryan Burnett, and the awards recognising people from across the world of running and athletics in Scotland.

Achiever of the Year - Anna Hulme, Carluke jogscotland

Since joining Carluke jogscotland in 2024, Anna inspires everyone around her with her resilience and positivity. Living with a stoma bag and the effects of necrotizing enterocolitis, she continues to defy limits — completing both the Three Islands and Loch Ness marathons while raising funds for Providing Ongoing Ostomate Support, or POOSS, the charity she co-founded. She has also completed an incredible 450 parkruns – turn to page 14 to read about how her fellow joggers helped her celebrate her wedding at parkrun!

Jog Leader of the Year - Rosie McGrane, Killie Striders

Rosie is the heart and soul of Killie Striders, where she leads with unwavering passion, care, and resilience. Even while facing immense personal challenges — including the loss of close family members, a brain injury, and a recent breast cancer diagnosis — Rosie has continued to lead, coach, and care for her club with incredible strength and positivity. She is the very definition of what a jogscotland leader should be.

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Group of the Year - Southside Slowies

Southside Slowies is an outstanding, inclusive group offering a variety of distances and speeds to suit everyone. In addition to the regular thrice weekly runs, jog leaders Phil and Katie organise additional runs and/or social events like Strava art runs or group parkrun trips, and are incredibly kind and inclusive. Southside Slowies is a group with friendship and encouragement at its heart.

SAMH Mental Wellbeing Award - Shaun Williams, Anster Allsorts

Shaun’s running journey with Anster Allsorts began in 2021 at a time of deep personal crisis. Struggling with his mental health, he took a courageous step by joining the group’s Couch to 5K programme — a decision he believes saved his life. With the support, encouragement and community of the Allsorts, Shaun not only overcame significant challenges but went on to complete multiple half marathons and marathons. Now a key volunteer helping lead the next generation of Couch to 5K runners, Shaun is a quiet, inspirational role model whose story powerfully demonstrates the lifechanging link between running, community, and mental wellbeing. continues over

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4J Studios Awards 2023 continued

4J Studios Awards 2025 – other shortlisted nominees There were more than 101 nominations made across the four categories of awards this year. Congratulations to all those shortlisted, who represent a wonderful snapshot of the achievements at the heart of jogscotland.

They were:

Achiever of the Year:

Group of the Year:

Victoria learned to run with the Jog Squad and has made incredible progress, earning a medal a month, motivating others, and planning to train as a jog leader.

Killie Striders has been operating for 13 years and now has a membership of almost 200. The group is described as welcoming, encouraging and friendly.

Victoria Martin – KH Jog Squad

Martin Moir – Killie Striders

In 2025 Martin ran everything from half marathons to the tough Sunset Ultra Marathon. Remarkably, Martin does all this with sight in only one eye – a true inspiration.

Jog Leader of the Year:

Lorna Hannah – Rhins Runners

Lorna is the driving force behind her running club — a long-standing jog leader whose dedication has kept the group going through thick and thin.

Rhona Sturgeon – Toni’s Tigers Rhona has been a cornerstone of Toni’s Tigers for the past decade – thanks to her, one of jogscotland’s longest-running groups continues to grow and support its members.

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jogscotland magazine | Spring 2026

Killie Striders

Jiggly Joggers

This Glasgow-based women’s social running group has an ethos centred on inclusive runs and empowering women to push past doubts.

SAMH Mental Wellbeing Award:

Jog On – Turning Point Scotland supports people in recovery from addiction and those rebuilding their lives after prison. Since launching, it has welcomed more than 150 participants.

Jason Henry – Newton Road Runners In 2024, Jason Henry ran 5K every day of the year in response to an anxiety diagnosis. It became a powerful public campaign to raise awareness for mental health and raised nearly £2,000 for SAMH and Strathcarron Hospice.

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Welcome to our new members!

Hi, I’m Jo Skead, the jogscotland Programme Manager, and I wanted to personally say a huge welcome to all of our new members!

We’re so excited to have you join one of our wonderful jogging groups. Whether you’re brand new to jogging or getting back into it, you’re in the right place. Our brilliant, trained jog leaders will be guiding you through your first programme using short walk–jog intervals that are carefully designed to help you build endurance gradually as the weeks go by. Before you know it, you’ll be achieving things you never thought possible!

We’ve had a fantastic start to 2026 – in January, an incredible 688 new members joined our community - a true reflection of the welcoming, supportive spirit that defines jogscotland.

This January milestone wouldn’t have been possible without the amazing efforts of our volunteer leaders, who continue to create friendly, inclusive spaces week after week.

A huge thank you also goes to every member who encouraged a friend, colleague, or family member to come along and give jogging a go — your enthusiasm makes all the difference.

Whether it’s first steps, fresh goals, or simply enjoying the social side of jogging, we’re delighted to welcome every new member — here’s to many miles, smiles, and shared successes ahead.

Crichton Parkrun Pursuers, Dumfries Running Club

jogscotland Stranraer

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Welcome to our new members! continued

Top tips for new joggers

We know that learning to jog can feel tough at first — and that’s completely normal.

Progress isn’t always smooth, but every step counts. When it starts to feel challenging, here are our top 5 tips to help keep you going:

1 2 3 4 5

Go at your own pace. Jogging isn’t a race. If you need to slow down, that’s absolutely fine — consistency matters far more than speed. Here at jogscotland, we strive to see that no one gets left alone at the back.

Trust the programme. Those walk–jog intervals really do work. They’re there to help your body adapt safely, even if it feels slow at first. It helps if you can get yourself out again and repeat the timings on your own as well.

Focus on your breathing. Relax your shoulders and hold a good upright posture.

Take steady breaths, and remind yourself that being slightly out of breath is okay — it means you’re working!

Celebrate the small wins. Every session completed is a success. Showing up, even on days when motivation is low (especially then!), is a huge achievement.

Lean on your group. You’re not doing this alone. Jog with others, chat, laugh, and support each other — that sense of community makes all the difference. Most of our groups have their own whatsapp or facebook groups/pages. Make sure you’re connected to these to stay in touch with friends between sessions.

You should be really proud of yourselves for taking this step. Keep going, be kind to yourself, and remember: you’re already doing something amazing . You’ve got this — we can’t wait to see your journey unfold!

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jogscotland magazine | Spring 2026

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Try parkrun!

By the parkrun team

We hope that you are getting into your stride for 2026, working towards your fitness goals, and of course enjoying your jogscotland group!

Just for a change you might want to give parkrun a go on Saturday mornings. parkrun is a free, weekly, timed, 5K run/jog/walk held in more than 80 neighbourhood parks and other outdoor places throughout Scotland, organised by volunteers who welcome all regardless of speed or fitness level. Just register and turn up at your local event - the volunteer team would love to see you!

At parkrun we enjoy celebrating success such as ‘Couch to 5K’ graduations or group visits by jogscotland groups and clubs. So if your group is coming along please let us know and we can arrange a shout-out and a round of applause! The parkrun event email address is at the bottom of the event home page and you can check it out here If you are going to parkrun for the first time, just a few top tips to get the best out of the experience: ● Before you go check the facilities, parking etc. on the event website. ● Don’t forget to register and take your barcode on your phone or print. ● Arrive at 9.15am for the start at 9.30am to attend the welcome briefing. ● It is a run, not a race - relax and enjoy it. Walking is fine! ● parkrun happens every Saturday - make it a habit !

We look forward to seeing you!

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jogscotland magazine | Spring 2026

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Who needs a stag or hen do, when you’ve got parkrun?

By Anna Hulme, Carluke jogscotland

When Chris and I first met, we took a 10K walk together, instead of coffee or dinner like most couples - which was a clear sign of our future together. As our relationship developed, running became important to us. We may not break records, but we enjoy the social side, staying fit and having an excuse to eat cake!

A couple of years on we wanted to move in together and found a house we both loved, however it was in an area we were unfamiliar with. To try and make some friends and see more of our new local area I realised a running group would be a good way to do this and after a quick search I found Carluke jogscotland (CJS).

During one of my first runs with CJS I had a bit of a wake-up call when I fell over. I was OK, but my pride not so much, I just felt unfit and knew I could do better for myself. Fortunately, everyone at CJS is so supportive, encouraging and it’s a fun group to be a part of. Every social run creates a story, and the level of community is unreal. So it didn’t take long for me to regain my confidence, notice myself getting fitter and start entering races. I am not exaggerating when I say it gave me my life back.

Chris’s first parkrun experience was on New Year’s Day 2022 at Strathclyde Park. I did tell him that he would be taking part, but he didn’t actually believe me and spent New Year’s Eve the way any other person would! We did make it around the run together, however unfortunately there is no evidence of this as he forgot his barcode! He has definitely got the running bug since then, but he won’t admit it - the man who said “I will never race” has completed the Glasgow Men’s 10K, and has now entered a 10-mile race!

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I have done parkrun myself for a long time now, 12 years in fact. It has been a constant in my life - Saturdays don’t feel quite right if I miss it (even our dog Sam loves going).

When booking our wedding venue, the first thing I was doing was noting what local parkruns were nearby, a wedding is no excuse to not run! I didn’t want a typical hen party and Chris didn’t want a stag either. Since parkrun plays such a big role in our lives, we decided that instead, our party would have to include a parkrun.

One day I was scrolling on social media and I noticed someone’s running photos, and there it was: The parkrun wedding dress. It’s a dress up outfit that has toured the country with many other brides. Straight away I put my name down for 27 December, started making plans at Lanark Moor parkrun, and invited everyone we knew.

On the day, we turned up, and all our family and friends and the running club were there, all dressed up in kilts and veils celebrating with us, I genuinely couldn’t believe it. It was honestly the most heart-warming experience we’ve ever had.

After the pre-run briefing off we went, all running together around the loch and through the woods. I am pretty certain this must have been the muddiest course the dress has seen! At the end we celebrated with cakes and drinks while sorting the tokens ready for the next week.

The next day our wedding was at Edinburgh Zoo, and we had the most amazing day. But we didn’t forget the running side of things – even my walk down the aisle is on Strava!

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2026 entries now open!

• More Mile technical t-shirts for all Series entrants • Fast, flat and largely traffic free courses • Chip Timing • Unique commemorative medals for each event • Start Fitness Merchandise at each race • Over £6,000 in cash prizes and Start Fitness vouchers • Building upon over 40 years of success

SHETTLESTON 10K (including Lindsay’s Scottish 10K Championships)

Sunday 10th May , 10am

DUMBARTON 10K Thursday 21st May 7:30pm

HELENSBURGH 10K Thursday 28th May 7:30pm

Enter now at www.runabc.co.uk www.babcock10kseries.co.uk | Find us on Facebook stride

jogscotland magazine | Spring 2026

Photography by Daren Borzynski

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Introducing our new Head of Development and Participation, Hazel Crawford Hazel at the scottishathletics Club Conference in November

The team behind jogscotland are part of scottishathletics, the National Governing Body for the sport in Scotland.

We’re delighted to have welcomed a new Head of Development and Participation to scottishathletics, Hazel Crawford. Hazel’s work involves overseeing the jogscotland programme, as well around 150 athletics clubs.

Hello! I took up the role of Head of Development and Participation with scottishathletics at the end of October 2025. I love the sport – I volunteer as a club coach several evenings a week with Musselburgh and District AC. My daughter is a junior member of a club in the east of Scotland too. Before all of that, I was a track and field athlete back in the late 80s/early 90s with Edinburgh AC doing lots of sprinting, hurdling and long-jumping. Don’t ask about my shot putt...! I have taken part in lots of charity fundraising 10K races and half marathons. You won’t find me at the front of the pack but, as they say, it’s the taking part that counts, alongside raising much-needed money for some fabulous causes.

I moved to scottishathletics from the Scottish Government where, for almost 22 years, I led teams on the development of policy and legislation. That was mostly focused on Children and Families and it has been very interesting to see the huge number of links between that work and what we are all working together to achieve through sport. Engaging with the people and communities whom policies, procedures and developments impacted upon was one of my favourite, and most important, parts of my role within Government – and it is one that I am absolutely committed to continuing in this new role with scottishathletics.

Perhaps I’ll bump into you on the start line soon!

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Coming back from prostate cancer

By Jim Glennie, jog leader with On The Run Cumbernauld

I have been a jog leader for over 20 years with OTR Cumbernauld (plus previously at Airdrie) and I am also a member of Airdrie Harriers. Until recently hadn’t had any health problems.

However Chris Hoy’s story about prostate cancer made me think about myself. I didn’t have any symptoms nor family history of prostate cancer but his description of having a shoulder problem resonated with me - although I knew the reason for this was falling off my bike some time ago.

It was enough to prompt me to have my bloods taken in December 2024, when I had just ran the Malaga half marathon in my best time of the year. My results showed a PSA level of 24, which is highly elevated. I quickly had an appointment with my GP who examined me and referred me to the hospital urgently.

I didn’t feel unwell or have any symptoms so continued to run - ran the Tilli 10K and parkrun, again, both were my best times of the year. I had my bloods repeated and they had gone up to 29 within two weeks. I had realised the potential seriousness of this as I had been a nurse for 39 years.

I have always told people that running/fitness reduces the risks of ill health but does not eliminate them - but if it did happen then your body could cope with it more. MRI and CT scans were taken, which showed evidence of cancer. A biopsy showed that I had two types of cancer. In discussion with the consultant, I decided to have a prostatectomy.

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jogscotland magazine | Spring 2026

19 Fortunately I was given a cancellation appointment in April and had my operation then. However on analysing the prostate they found that I also had an aggressive form of cancer which wasn’t what was expected. I have a high risk of the cancer coming back and would be monitored every three months for the first year and annually for the rest of my life.

In my case I was told that regaining control of my bladder could take up to a year, if it happened at all. Progress is slow and you are doing your Kegel exercises at least three times a day, which can be very frustrating.

I think that enduring bodily disruption definitely reshapes daily life and your identity and you rely on a great deal of support. At this stage, I decided to tell all the jog leaders my situation and was happy for them to tell others. It meant that I didn’t need to repeat the same story about my ill health or say I was fine. This made life a lot easier for me.

As I was trying to regain my continence I decided that I needed to get back out running not just for my fitness, but also for my mental health. You have a choice stay in the house and be miserable or get back out and be as normal as possible.

My family were a great support (both emotionally and running/fitness wise) during this and continue to be.

Stuart Leitch, another jog leader, would go out twice a week with me for short runs.

I started back at the track with jogscotland, which is a good time to watch runners and give them advice, especially on their running form. It also meant that I felt normal.

Getting back to a degree of fitness has had its ups and downs. I’ve had quite a number of injuries in the last eight months. It makes you more aware of the need to build your muscles back up after being inactive for a period of time especially as you get older (I’m 69). continues over

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20 Coming back from prostate cancer continued Initially I started with three mile runs, very slowly, and gradually increased the distance. I spend a bit of time over the winter in Spain and have just completed two 5Ks, a 10K (València) and a half (Seville). None of them at any great speed but running comfortably which is the aim currently.

I am aware that this illness can come back at any time but there is a need to try and lead as normal a life as possible and not just be focused on bloods and possible further treatment, which would be radiotherapy and hormone treatment.

Presently I plan most of my life in three month cycles, around blood results. I am really grateful for the continued support from my wife Heather and my children Lewis and Morven (all are/have been jog leaders). But I have also had great support from runners in OTR Cumbernauld, Airdrie Harriers and other athletic clubs during this period.

Concerned about prostate cancer?

Check your risk at

https://prostatecanceruk.org/risk-checker

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jogscotland magazine | Spring 2026

27 SEPT 2026

www.lochnessmarathon.com

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Book corner Jog leader with Anster Allsorts, George Findlay, dips into the ever-growing genre of ‘books about running’ and reviews some of his favourites.

Unbroken by Katarina Johnson-Thompson Everyone who follows athletics will know of the contrasting emotions of Katarina Johnson -Thompson from the despair of injury as she lay on the track at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics to the joy of winning a heptathlon silver medal at the Paris Olympics in 2024. This very frank autobiography by Katarina goes from her early experiences in Liverpool, being brought up by her single parent mother, through her success as a junior, to her emergence as a senior athlete at the 2012 London Olympics, aged 19.

Katarina’s journey is one of triumphs and failures, with all the emotions which goes with them. Her resilience is remarkable in coming back from multiple injuries, including an achilles rupture and surgery. At times these setbacks led to Katarina losing her love of sport and almost giving up her athletic career.

This book gives a great insight into the complexities of training for, and being coached for, the multi-discipline competition of the heptathlon. Katarina, like all other heptathletes, has some events stronger than others and points scoring changes overall positions throughout the two days of competition before the final 800m run which decides the outcome. There is reference to her competitive relationships with Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill and Nafi Thiam of Belgium and the respect between all who compete in this gruelling event.

Katarina’s Tokyo experience ultimately changed her outlook on competition, her wider life, contentment within herself and a determination to succeed in Paris.

The book is an emotional read, getting into the mindset of the double World Champion. I highly recommend it to anyone with an interest in sport.

Unbroken is published by Pan Macmillan

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jogscotland magazine | Spring 2026

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Jogging along

By Craig Wilson, jog leader with jogscotland Bridge of Don To say that the start of my running year did not quite go to plan would be a bit of an understatement. A race cancelled. A deluge of snow. No running for 10 days. None of these I had on my 2026 running bingo card I can tell you, but that is how things went.

Firstly, the snow. It began on New Year’s Day and pretty much continued through until about the ninth of January. I have lived in Aberdeen for more than thirty five years, and I am really not sure I have ever seen as much snow as we had during this time. At our house, which is on the edge of the city, we had around a foot of snow and there was much more than that in more rural areas.

While I have run in snow before – and in some conditions running in snow is totally fine – the way that the snow compacted and then froze at times meant I did not want to take the risk of forcing myself out for a run when there was really no need. Had I been really training for something then perhaps I would have thought differently – and yes of course I know I could have easily gone to a gym and run on a treadmill – so a couple of walks was about as much as I got done during this time. It was, however, beautiful to look at.

With the snow then came the cancellation of the race. I had not really told many people that I planned to do a race called the Lumphanan Detox – traditionally the first 10K of the year on 2 January in a small village in Aberdeenshire – but that was mainly because I was going into it not planning on really busting a gut, but more as a way of ticking the race off my list. I usually go back to work on 2 January, but this time had taken the day off, so I would have been able to do it.

The way the snow went, and with weather warnings in place, the race committee made the sensible decision to postpone the race a couple of days before it was due to happen. Not only would the conditions have made the course treacherous, but there would also have been the issue of people driving out to Lumphanan on country roads to get there. I also think in these circumstances, that organisers need to think about the conditions which the volunteers on the course have to endure. It is one thing to be running a 10K and keeping warm through the effort, but it is something else to be standing out in the worst of the weather and trying to stave off the effects of an Arctic blast.

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jogscotland magazine | Spring 2026

23 Anyway, enough about all of the negatives and let’s finish on a positive slant. I am healthy – if not quite as fit as I would like to be. We got through a really bad spell of weather with nothing more than a bit of frustration to show for it. Winter in Scotland can often through up extremes, so this was just one example of that. All of these setbacks are minor and temporary, and the encouraging thing is that when I have been running, the sense of fun and enjoyment of being out and around with friends has quickly returned.

Ten days in January will not define what my running year is like. Lots more fun and games to come, fingers crossed, in more clement weather conditions!

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jogscotland magazine | Spring 2026

Walk, jog, run with jogscotland Get fit and have fun with our sociable, supportive jogging groups for all levels – beginners welcome!

Affordable, friendly sessions with trained Jog Leaders.

Find your nearest group at www.jogscotland.org.uk/local-groups