My running journey has been on hold for many years.I took time away due to being diagnosed with a heart condition. Throughout years of management, I was keen to get back to it! I started running again for my mental health & wellbeing, but also to do something I love. I have always been an advocate and champion for supporting mental health, and recently I have qualified as a life & mindset coach! Getting back into running can be hard, especially when you have low confidence! I talked myself into being brave and going along to a few run clubs. The day I joined NFR for my first social run was the day it all changed! I instantly felt connected, heard, welcomed and loved… for being me. Running RHHM last year was an incredible experience, especially with the bib 1981.. the year it all started! Seeing NFR squad, flags and support around the course was a beautiful yet exciting boost to get you through! Being Bi-Sexual Woman can be difficult, from feeling isolated and not good enough to being an event or club,  to feeling inclusive and seen in an event like RHHM and a club like NFR is something special. My self-esteem and confidence have gone from rock bottom to feeling proud and confident to join these events. To see and hear how far the LQBTQ+ community has grown through the love of sport is incredible! There’s a space for everyone to explore and do what they love, regardless of their ability. There’s always a hand, always a shoulder, always a queer cheer! Robin Hood matters because it’s about community. It’s about love. It’s about support. It’s more importantly about feeling like you have a place. For each and everyone of you out there that is contemplating starting their running journey, but doesn’t yet feel confident enough.. I promise you, this is the place. 🤍

When the Nottingham Frontrunners were established in the summer of 2023, no one could have imagined how this inclusive LGBTQ+ group would have grown into the large popular group it has become today, its bright colourful top becoming a familiar sight in the City. It has given people the confidence to run, feel included and make firm friends. As an older runner I have been made very welcome and running ability has improved. When we were approached to volunteer at the Robin Hood half marathon, a queer squad was established taking on the stretch along Castle Boulevard. With music, banners, flags, banners and whistles, the squad kept enthusiastically cheered in the runners, giving a flavour of festival time and keeping spirits high. How wonderful that the squad were very much part of the inclusive ethos of the Robin Hood Marathon. It is so very important that people from the LGBTQ+ community can feel very much a valued part of the event, whether as runners or volunteers. In reflecting on LGBTQ+ History Month it is worth remembering that 40 years ago we were not running but marching against blatant discrimination. Learning to run fast was a necessity to get away from bullies and hatred. I always feel that the Robin Hood Half Marathon has a wonderful sense of community. Everybody is made to feel welcome and included. Where people can enjoy running and feel safe.

I'm running for Citizens Advice because it's a cause that means a lot to me personally. For over 20 years - and still going - my grandad has volunteered with the charity, giving his time to help people through some of life's toughest challenges.

He's shown me that real change comes from showing up, listening and offering support when it matters most. In addition, it's given me the motivation to get myself race-fit, helping me physically and mentally. Through him, I've heard just how essential Citizens Advice is. Whether it's debt, housing benefits, or the cost-of-living crisis - they provide free, impartial advice that helps people take back control of their lives.

Running this race is my way of saying thank you to the organisation that he's been a part of for so long, and to help make sure their work can continue. I'm proud to be taking on this challenge - and for a charity that represents compassion, community and hope. 

Brothers Matthew and Lewis from Nottingham will be taking on the Robin Hood Half Marathon to raise money for Nottingham Hospitals Charity – inspired by the life-saving care that Matthew’s son Mason received after birth.

Mason was born with a rare condition called Tracheoesophageal Fistula, where his windpipe and food pipe were connected. He needed emergency surgery at just 24 hours old and spent over seven weeks in Neonatal Intensive Care.

Matthew said:
“Having a baby in hospital is the hardest thing I’ve ever been through. We were told to prepare for the worst, but Mason fought every single day. The NHS saved our boy’s life, and this run is our way of giving back.”

For Lewis, the challenge is deeply personal too:
“Becoming an uncle changed my life. When Mason’s middle name was chosen to be Lewis, it meant the world to me. Running this half marathon is my way of saying thank you for the care that gave us our little miracle.”

Neither brother has run a half marathon before, but both are determined to take on 13.1 miles – raising funds to support other families facing the same challenges.

Charley Coulson ran the 2022 Robin Hood Half Marathon with the aim of finishing the 13.1-mile distance in 2 hours and 30 minutes. She wanted to say thank you to Nottingham Hospitals for the care they gave her grandparents, and also for saving her Dad’s life three times over the past 3 years.

Charley said: “Nottingham Hospitals did everything they could when both my Grandparents were sadly diagnosed with cancer. Not only that but they’ve saved my Dad’s life three times in the past three years after he has undergone major heart and lung surgery.

“I want to honour my Dad and raise money in memory of my grandparents. I would also like to raise money in memory of my boyfriend’s Grandad, who was like a Grandad to me. I want to thank the hospitals for everything they do for thousands of patients each year.

“My Dad is doing much better now but will never truly recover from his operations so I’m doing this because he can’t. I couldn’t think of a better way to say thank you as I’ll be forever grateful for the care they provided my family and for saving my Dad’s life.

“Thank you to all the NHS staff across Nottingham. You are truly remarkable and I will always appreciate everything that you’ve ever done, not just for my family but for others too.”

Charley is just one of our incredible fundraisers who ran for Nottingham Hospitals Charity at the Robin Hood Half Marathon.

Three generations of the Ellis family took part in the event weekend to raise money for charity. Whilst Paul and Geraldine’s daughter Rachel (Whelan) ran in the Half Marathon, Rachel’s two boys Oliver and Matthew ran in the Mini Marathon with Grandma and Grandad. They were joined by daughter Karen (Silvester) and her two children Emily and Rosie.

Youngest runner was Matthew who was just 5 and oldest was 72-year-old Grandad Paul.
With a family love of football (Geraldine and Paul met at Forest over 50 years ago) they chose ‘Head for Change’ as their charity.
‘Head for Change’ is a charitable foundation, pioneering positive change for brain health in sport and supporting ex-players who are affected by neurodegenerative disease as a result of their professional sporting career in football or rugby. Affected by this illness is a good friend of the family, Dave Watson, who started his career with Notts County and won 65 England caps.

Paul 72, Geraldine 71, Karen 39, Rachel 32, Emily 10, Oliver 8, Rosie 7, Matthew 5

Naomi: Back in 2019 I lost my best friend Laura who had been battling with CF all her life, she really did live life to the full and never let anything get in her way. Laura was very close to Barbara the founder of Wish Upon a Star and over the years Laura was granted the most amazing wishes and made precious memories with all her family and friends.

Janine: Running for special children for When You Wish Upon A Star because children deserve to laugh and be loved!

Sachin: As most may be aware I been increasing my running over the last year or two and working on of my health and so I decided to do the Nottingham Robin Hood Half Marathon this year as this will be the longest distance I would have ran. As part of this I doing this I decided to do this for a local charity " When You Wish Upon a Star". It’s mission is to grant the Wishes of children living with a life threatening illness.

Sander: Two years ago I was your typical couch potato. Sitting behind a desk all day, long car commutes and zero exercise. My body was giving warning signals that something needed to change so I started a bit of running. I got really inspired to start aiming for a half marathon by a close friend of mine who suffered a stroke and managed to run the Robin Hood half marathon exactly a year later. So I decided to join him for the next one.
As I want to ensure this is a special day I also want to raise money for a special cause which is "When You Wish Upon a Star". They are a fantastic organisation with a very straightforward mission: to grant the Wishes of children living with a life threatening illness.