Who got you interested in running? Family member? A runner? Your GP?!

Two runners are massive inspirations to me...

Both suffer(ed) partial sight, whilst not blind, they had extreme difficulty, making out much detail at all, recognizing you by the sound of your voice.

The first, has now unfortunately passed away, being involved in an accident whilst out training, his name was Paul Pearce and one of hte most special people I've ever met. He was the blind world marathon champion, and yet he encourage everyone, regardless of standard. Many runners his standard simply "dissappear" after races, he'd go back and try and cheer the rest of his team mates on as they finished. He was the first runner who truly made me believe that I could actually be pretty good.

The second, is with us, and his name is Noel Thatcher, who carried the flag for the British Paralympic team in Athens and has gold medals at the paralymipcs from 84-00. A truly outstanding runner, he always put a massive amount of effort in. Not only pushing himself to the limit but inspiring others as well.

The lady who started me running was my mum, and I'll always owe her that debt...still not going to clean my room though!

A teacher from a rival school, who got me to join the local club aged 13. My school tended to sideline cross-country so he got involved.
Other than that, Paula R for obvious reasons. What a runner

Sister-in-Law and the Race for Life got me running again. Just wish I would get my butt out the door a bit more, got a 10k in just over a week and have only managed 5k so far eeeeeeeekkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk

I havent got an inspiration, Maybe I should have!

Two people:
First was a guy called Alan Taylor who organised a class for joggers at Huddersfield Sports Centre where I first went to get myself back into shape and lose some weight. It was him who first saw my potential as a runner and lured me into my first race.
Second was a remarkable Sikh, Ajit Singh, who insisted I go with him to run 'London' in 1993. "You can stay with my friends, it wont cost you anything. You must come, you will beat all the world in the over sixties". I went. He was right - and I'll be eternally grateful.

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Give me the hills!

I was a Mountaineering Instructor until giving it up to stay at home as a house husband. My inspiration came via the Newsgroup uk.rec.running and a link to a film made about running the West Highland Race.

It mixed my knowledge and love of the mountains with a really fantastic attitude about not giving up, but enjoying. Its a great movie and available here,

My Heart is in the Highlands

or with odd picture shape here,

My Heart is in the Highlands (Google video)

Fab stuff and its what brought me to the fold.

Dave

Girl who works for me, organised a bunch from work to raise money for kids hospital. Her enthusiam and organisation got me off my lazy behind, and discovered something I love. Forever in her debt.

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Don

My time in the army (10 years) gave me a great although enforced start into running,and after reading dean karnazes booki about ultra running i wanted to run all day and night1 but thankfully i woke up seriously if you get chance give it a go it is a great read.

Paula Radcliffe and Kelly Holmes.