Running has grabbed hold of me with both arms and won't let me go

DARREN 

Darren started running about 10 years ago after some good friends asked if he would be interested in helping them raise money for treatment for their daughter who has rare blood cancer , they asked when he was drunk and he thought they might have forgotten about it but the next day he received a call from them telling him they had signed him up for the Robin Hood Half Marathon. He couldn't say no, so took it upon himself to start training and he had 6 months to get fit!  

He was a heavy drinker and recreational drug user at the time and had a mammoth task in front of him. He promised himself he’d get it done, then throw his trainers in the bin never to think of doing anything so stupid again. 

… but about 6 weeks into the training he was starting to enjoy it and finding himself getting home, getting changed and out running without even hesitating. He didn't even miss going out at the weekends, instead he was planning runs and thinking about what better foods he could be eating to make things easier. People around him thought he was mad! 

Race day came, he loved it and loved how he felt afterwards and two days later he booked another half marathon. 

Things moved on pretty quickly after that, he joined a running club, booked a marathon and then was asked to help lead a jogging group all within the space of about 18 months. He stopped the drinking and drug taking and has never looked back! 

His own group, On The Border Trail Runs (OTBTR,)  has now been active for just over 4 years and was started in the middle of the Covid pandemic. He kept it a private group for 2 years and then opened it up to the public after leaving another local group where he’d helped lead for 7 years.  

Darren had an idea. He’d received an email from Jog Derbyshire, asking for run groups to promote the Jog into January incentive. With the darker, winter months making it difficult for many women to get out running he thought a Ladies Only group could be a good idea. He approached Maggie and Kelly and asked if they would we be interested in leading the group. Of course they jumped at the chance! 

MAGGIE 

Maggie has been running for many years now and really enjoys off road running. She enjoys marshalling and recently helped out at the backyard ultra in Sherwood pines. She has been a LIRF leader for 3 years. 

Maggie joined OTBTR group in February 2023 and hasn’t looked back since! It’s a very welcoming and inclusive group. 

KELLY 

Kelly had never run before when a friend asked if she would come along to a C25K programme with her. She got the running bug and has since completed several 10k’s and half marathons.  

She’s been running with OTBTR since April 2021. She knew Darren through another run group, and he asked if she’d like to come along and try some trail running.

Kelly loved being ‘off road’ and was amazed by how many fabulous trail routes they had in and around Ilkeston. 

When Darren had to spend some time working away last year he asked if she’d mind helping run some of the Wednesday night Hill and Strength sessions and she jumped at the chance. The OTBTR group is so friendly and supportive that she wanted to give something back by volunteering to help out. 

ALL-FEMALE GROUP WAS BORN 

They all got their heads together and all agreed that getting out for a short walk, jog or run would be hugely beneficial to women over the dark winter months especially if they could offer something a little different to just running on the roads that was inclusive to all abilities. 

As far as they were aware, no other groups or clubs in the area  offered an All-Female Run. Darren personally enjoys running in the dark and thinks everyone should feel safe running at night, so they planned a few short runs and used them as part of the 'Jog into January ' incentive.  

The all-female group started on the 6th January 2025. They initially planned to do these all-female runs throughout January. By the 2nd and 3rd week, the ladies that where coming asked if they would be continuing them in the future, as they were enjoying them so much. 

On average, around 10-11 ladies were running during the first 4 weeks and it's stayed very similar since. Ladies are coming from as far as Chesterfield to run with them and new members are joining all the time.  

They have a core group of runners every week of about 5-6 people and others join them as and when depending on work or family commitments.  

The main aim of this group is that all ladies are welcome regardless of their ability. They feel they can accommodate the faster and slower runners, the routes chosen are ideal for all. The routes are put on Strava before they meet and this allows the group to familiarise themselves before they head out. 

WHERE & WHEN THEY MEET 

They meet every Monday night at 6:30pm in different locations around Ilkeston each week, which means they can keep the routes varied and suited to the time of year.

In winter they stick to canal towpaths but in the summer months they can head out on to more off-road trail routes. 

They aim for around 4 miles off road running. Now the nights are lighter they have even more scope for new routes.  

This is a very friendly group. As both Kelly and Maggie attend the sessions, it allows one Leader at the back and one at the front. This way, no one gets left behind, which is really important.  

As leaders both of them are happy to walk with the last runner if they need to, they stress it’s not about speed, it’s about getting out and having an enjoyable experience . 

They all keep in contact via messenger, Strava and FB, this allows communication and passing on of relevant information to the group. 

FEEDBACK FROM THE FEMALE MEMBERS 

“I was made to feel uncomfortable by the competitiveness of men at my local running club” 

“I was told I was too slow” 

“I love this group – we get to talk about all the things we couldn’t if we were running with men!” 

“We started with a group of women who didn’t really know each other and have grown into a lovely group of friends.” 

“We all enjoy a run/ jog and a good chat along the way.” 

FINAL WORDS 

If someone had said to Darren when he started running 10 years ago, he would be leading his own group and inspiring people to get out running, he would have slapped them around the face and told them to stop being silly!

Running has grabbed hold of him with both arms and won't let him go.  

He certainly doesn’t do it for money, as much as he loves running, he gets even more pleasure seeing people who don't believe in themselves doing something they never thought was possible. The look on their faces says it all and when they then come over to say thanks, that means the world to him! 

On The Border Trail Runs meet 2-3 times per week. 

• All Female group on a Monday night at 6:30pm (3-4 miles) 

• Hill & Strength session on a Wednesday night at 6:30pm 

• Longer Trail run Friday night at 6:30pm (4-6 miles) 

  
  

Join the Facebook group for more details 

(3) On The Border Trail Runs | Facebook