DOrunning Events

It’s Christmas 5k race day photos, part 1

📣 ANNOUNCEMENT 📣

Tonight marks the final regular group session of 2025 — and an important moment in the DOrunning journey.

Since February 2017, DOrunning has been built on two simple ideas: showing up together on a Sunday morning and a Wednesday evening, and creating a space where anyone could belong. Those sessions became more than runs — they became friendships, routines, confidence-builders, and for many, a lifeline.

As we move into 2026, DOrunning will begin a new chapter.

From January, the focus will shift away from regular weekly sessions and towards events, remote participation, and individual journeys. The Facebook group will remain — not as a sign-up page, but as a community space where stories, effort, struggles and wins can continue to be shared.

Founder Des Oldham will be developing a programme of monthly events, alongside renewed motivational support designed to help people get more from their running and their exercise. Des and Kay will openly share their own journey — the work, the commitment, the reality — while offering affordable coaching and accessible content for anyone who wants to learn, improve or simply stay inspired.

Des said: “When DOrunning started, we didn’t want to be like other running groups. We wanted to create something social, welcoming and human — where pace didn’t matter and everyone felt they belonged.”

“Since Covid, many groups have appeared using the same model, and that’s something we’re incredibly proud of. But Kay and I now feel our energy is best spent showing what’s possible when you commit to your passion in a way that works for your life.”

This change is about freedom. The freedom to run when you can, how you can, and for your own reasons. While groups can be powerful, they can also bring pressure, comparison and expectation. This new approach allows people to take what they need — without guilt or obligation.

Going forward, DOrunning will lead by example. By using the tools available, staying consistent, and showing that progress doesn’t come from perfection — it comes from doing.

Charitable activity in the name of DOrunning will continue, as will working with local running events and collaborations with community organisations. Great work has already began with the SMD (Severly Multiple Disadvantaged) Group becoming their activity and wellbeing champions.

This evolution feels especially fitting as we continue the legacy of . An open invitation for others to watch, follow, be inspired, and step in when the time feels right.

The “DO” was always a play on Des’s initials — but more importantly, it stood for doing. And that is exactly where DOrunning is heading next.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you to everyone who has turned up, supported, encouraged, laughed, struggled and grown with us over the past nine years. Everything that comes next is built on what you helped create.