Jo recently rediscovered her enthusiasm for running and completed her first 10K for Emmaus Bristol in April 2025. Now in her 70s, she’s already achieved two official 10K finishes, surpassed her fundraising goal by raising over £1,000, and even shaved more than 10 minutes off her original time. Congratulations, Jo — you’re an inspiration to us all!
We caught up with Jo to find out what got her back into running and why Jo has chosen to support Emmaus Bristol.
What inspired you to start running?
I got back into running again after hearing our local junior school had re-started their annual 10K Frome Valley Run, which was cancelled during covid. I knew some of the parent organisers, and I was hopeful that I would be able to run this 10K around familiar local roads and footpaths.
Tell us more about how you trained for your first run
I know how important it is to do correct regular training before a 10K so I used two training plans:
- The NHS ‘Couch to 5K’ App which is free to download and is a great running App for beginners. I chose ‘Steve Cram’ as my App trainer to give out tips and advice as he is a great motivator.
- I also used the ‘10 Weeks to 10K’ plan, I found online, which includes three runs a week — perfect to fit around a busy schedule.
After completing each run, I wrote down the date, distance, time and pace, to keep a record of how I was doing and aimed to get a bit faster.
Do you have any training rituals?
I always run outdoors, around villages in the South Gloucestershire area, on a mixture of roads, footpaths, trails and fields. I enjoy running in nature. I listen to ‘Couch to 5K’ App Steve Cram’s tips on my phone. I never wear earphones as I prefer to hear everything around me, bird song, wind and nature around me. Staying alert also helps me feel safe on the roads.
What has been a highlight or memorable moment during your training or races?
I ran my first 10K for Emmaus in April 2025 which was the Frome Valley 10K. Half the route is in woods along the River Frome — beautiful but tricky. I had to slow down for tree roots, brambles, and even clamber over fallen logs while playful dogs splashed nearby!
It was exciting and ‘fun’ as I hadn’t run through woods before. Luckily there were plenty of volunteer marshals along the way to keep us on the correct route and I did enjoy the nature, trees, flowers and birds.
Despite my slow time for a 10K, of 95:41 mins, I was so happy to finish that race and managed to find an extra burst of speed as I ran back into the school and saw my family and friends cheering me on.
The second 10K was in September 2025, on quiet roads, footpaths and fields so an easier run. I got a much better time of 82:26 mins, so felt very pleased. I always celebrate with water, a banana, and a small cake after the run and it’s very nice to collect the colourful t-shirt as a memento.
Why did you choose to support Emmaus Bristol?
When deciding which charity to run for, I wanted one that truly makes a difference locally. One Sunday, a leaflet about Emmaus fell out of my newspaper — it felt like a sign!
I remembered the Bible story where the disciples walked to Emmaus with the resurrected Jesus, finding hope and renewal. It reminded me of Emmaus Bristol’s mission: giving people who are homeless or jobless the chance to rebuild their lives with dignity.
I set up a JustGiving page and thanks to my daughter sharing it on Facebook, around 40 supporters helped me raise over £1,000. I’m so grateful for everyone’s generosity.
What do you think is special or unique about Emmaus Bristol?
Emmaus Bristol is a local charity that helps people rebuild their lives, repairs and reuses donated goods, and promotes sustainability — values close to my heart. I grew up post WWII with mottos like “Make do and mend” and “Waste not, want not.” Supporting a charity that combines care for people with care for the planet feels just right, especially in times like these.
Have you learnt anything new about yourself since you started running?
That I can still run 10K — without stopping! 10k is a major achievement for me. I’ve gained confidence exploring new routes and developed a deeper appreciation for the South Glos countryside.
And the best part? After every run, even when I’m tired, I feel fantastically positive and happy. My mind feels sharper — it must be all that oxygen and time in nature!
What advice would you give to new runners?
Start small and be patient. Use the Couch to 5k app to build up your running distance and mix up where you run — grass is gentler on your joints — and keep a record of your progress. Look up ‘Running for beginners’ on the Internet, there are lots of useful tips.
Feeling inspired to take on your own race? Visit runningcalendar.co.uk for a full list of all upcoming runs and reach out to our Fundraising Manager, Harry at harry@emmausbristol.org.uk for support setting up your fundraising page.
