A NORTHSIDE woman has made quite the healthy impact in the community after starting a running group which currently boasts 250 active members.
‘Sloggers to Joggers’ is an initiative started by mother-of-two Suzanne Alcock-Thompson, from Swords, which has earned her national recognition after being shortlisted in ‘Rock ‘N’ Run Idol Ireland 2016’.
You could be forgiven for assuming that Suzanne is a veteran runner after setting up such a large group, but she only picked up the passion for the sport less than five years ago.
“I started to run in 2012. I was size 16 and very embarrassed. I ran on my own, from lamppost to lamppost around my estate in Swords, but would only go when it was dark at night and wear my husband’s woolly golf hat so no one would notice me,” says Suzanne.
Grabbing a few friends, the then small club of five started a drive towards a healthier lifestyle, and with a little help from local gyms who gave training advice, the group of women embarked on their first real test.
“The first goal we set was to run the Women’s Mini Marathon and we grew from five women to 70 for the event in 2013,” says Suzanne.
The girls also decided to fundraise for a worthy cause in the process. Holywell Educate Together School in Swords, where Suzanne’s child attends, was chosen.
“I thought if I picked a goal to fundraise it would keep the ladies and myself motivated,” she says.
Now, with such a large membership and 20 women volunteers, the group travels across Ireland to take part in runing events, the common love shared among all.
If that wasn’t enough of an accomplishment, Suzanne has been named one of six finalists in the Irish Rock ‘N’ Run Idol competition which picks out the best success story involving running.
The motivating finalists have used running to transform their lives with some battling the likes of depression, coming to terms with grief and achieving their weight loss goals.
The finalists, who are currently training for the Dublin race in August, will now battle it out in a public vote to win a trip to take part in Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas.
The winner will receive an all-expenses paid trip to the Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas Marathon and Half Marathon in November. The world’s largest nighttime running event takes place on the Las Vegas Strip.
The general public is now invited to vote for the winner by visiting www.RocknRollDublin.com and reading the incredible and inspiring entries from the six finalists.
Closer to home, the fourth annual Rock ‘n’ Roll Dublin Half Marathon will return on Sunday, August 7.
The event will feature the best of local talent with live bands entertaining participants along the scenic course. The race starts in the heart of Dublin at the Docklands, runs along the River Liffey, travelling past many of the city’s historic landmarks and finishing in the Phoenix Park.
For more information about Suzanne’s story or ‘Sloggers to Joggers’, visit www.facebook.com/Suzannesrunningjourney and www.facebook.com/SloggersToJoggers
REPORT: Brein McGinn
