Who Are We | Run Dollies Run

Who we are We’re a mixed ability ladies running group with 4 different locations: Welshpool, Shrewsbury, Tregynon and Llandrinio

Why Run With Us Whatever your goal is – maybe to get fit, lose weight, train for events, relieve work pressure, escape from the kids for an hour or meet new people – you will find it all with the group. We’re a friendly group run by volunteers always looking to welcome new members. All sessions are taken by qualified and experienced female leaders. Fun, Fitness and Friendship and a shared commitment to support each other to achieve personal goals is an integral part of the group. We are able to provide a diverse individual group range suitable for runners of any ability from absolute beginners to those wishing to complete marathons, ultra marathons and anything in between.

When We Meet Our groups all meet on a Monday night at 6pm (during term-time) and some groups offer different times runs throughout the week.

Where We Meet Welshpool meet at the Flash lesuire centre. Shrewsbury meet at the Sports Centre at the Shrewsbury College London Road campus. Landrinio meet at the Football Club in Four Crosses. Tregynon meets at the school or sometimes meets in Newtown.

if we haven’t enticed you to sign up already – its not all about the running!!!! We do have some great social gatherings throughout the year including Easter fun runs, summer socials, Halloween antics and last but not least Christmas celebrations!!

Dolly Mixtures

Your Local Leaders

Karen Rodenburg

Leads in: Welshpool

Why I Joined Dollies: Having run for a few years on my own the lovely Anne Williams spotted me and told me I should join the Dolly Mixtures to meet other ladies who live to run!!! Favourite Running Distance: Any!! 10k if I had to chose though! Trail or Road? Road but only because all the trails around here are so hilly!!

Sam Gough

Leads in: Llandrinio

Why I joined Dollies: I’d started running on my own and then my husband’s work commitments changed which meant I was able to join in on a Monday night. I wanted to experience all the positive things I’d heard. Favourite Running Distance: 10k at the moment but this changes depending on what other demands there are for me at any particular time!! Trail or Road?: I do enjoy both but probably secretly enjoy trail more!!

Carrie Vaughan

Leads in: Llandrinio

Why I joined Dollies: I joined Dollies to make friends with like-minded individuals: I was already a runner but didn’t know the area or know anyone to go running with. Now I run with lots of wonderful amazing women who introduce me to fabulous new routes and races. Favourite Running Distance: I enjoy anywhere from 10k to half marathon distance. Trail or Road? I prefer trail.

Elaine Lewis

Leads in: Welshpool

Why I Joined Dollies: Because of the group’s motto!! Fun, Fitness and Friendship. Favourite Running Distance: 10k Trail or Road? Road had always been my favourite but the more trails I do the more I enjoy so its got to be 50/50 these days!!

Sharon Davies

Leads in: Tregynon

Why I joined Dollies: Initially I started running as a way to lose weight and then in later years to socialise with friends and enjoy the beautiful countryside. By starting Dollies I hoped to bring the socialising and being outdoors to more women. Favourite Running Distance: Long distance – ultras. Trail or road? Trail as I like to explore and have an adventure.

Karen Roberts

Leads in: Welshpool

Why I joined Dollies: I joined to get fit and lose weight. Favourite Running Distance: Probably half marathon Trail or Road? Road

Lisa Ashworth

Leads in: Llandrinio

Why I joined Dollies: My husband saw a Facebook post 2 years ago, he said he would look after the kids and I didn’t have an answer not to – never looked back!! Now we have to book sports dates on the calendar – once an event is booked that’s it!! (Hubby now does Cycling Sportives and we both ran our first half marathon at Vyrnwy 🙂 ) Favourite Running Distance: 10Km – easy to grab an hour and a half away from the kids, but I could be tempted to do a few more half marathons if I put a few the miles in! Trail or Road? Road, but I wouldn’t turn down a run along a beach at sunset

Dianne Spencer

Leads in: Welshpool, Shrewsbury and Bishops Castle

Why I joined Dollies: I am fortunate to be one of the founding Dollies and still have my original Dolly T shirt!! Sharon asked me to join her group of running friends and as I had been running with her for some time it seemed like a good plan, as indeed it has been proven to be. Favourite Running Distance: Anything over 10k is fine with me though I suspect I won’t be doing any more multi-day ultras anytime soon!! Trail or Road? Trail every time!!

Faith Hill

Leads in: Welshpool

Why I joined Dollies: I was watching ladies in pink running back to the Flash every Monday at 6.55pm. I honestly thought they looked fab and was really envious. When I heard there was a starters course coming up I jumped at the chance to attend. Considering I hated x-country in school and would do anything to get out of running it, I was pleasantly surprised when I found I wanted to return after the first week! And haven’t looked back since. I have a family, a work family and now a fitness family. You lot rock!!! Favourite Running Distance: : I prefer 10k distance at the moment. Mainly due to my love hate relationship with my Achilles, I tried a HM a couple of times but I do struggle because of my pins. Trail or Road? I guess I’d say I prefer road running. Harder on my ankles I know, but trail is very unpredictable and I’m wary of injury from uneven terrain. But give me a flat field/wood and I might change my mind 😉

Laura Beaumont

Leads in: Shrewsbury

Why I joined Dollies: I joined the Bishops castle group originally as I was living over there and wanted to meet different people and to keep my mother motivated (also a member) motivated in running. The dolly Mixtures gives me a sense of community, another family. Favourite Running Distance: I have completed 5 half marathons and have recently convinced myseld to finish a full marathon next year – not sure a full marathon will be my favourite running distance though! Trail or Road? I really don’t have a preference – its sometimes just about getting out running and other times I want to be in nature and be myself.

Esther Griffiths

Leads in: Shrewsbury

Why I joined Dollies: to increase my fitness levels and do a little something just for me. Favourite Running Distance: Half-marathon. Trail or Road? Oh don’t make me decide! It’s both!!

Laura Birch

Leads in: Welshpool

Why I joined Dollies: I was struggling to get through C25K by myself, I was on week 7 or 8 and not progressing. So after a couple of emails to Sharon I gave the 13m/m group a go. The warm welcome and encouragement I received during the very first run was just fabulous, so I kept on coming back. Favourite Running Distance: Any as long as I’m with friends. Trail or Road? Either/both if I’m honest. I just like getting out and exploring somewhere new.

Claire Abel

Leads in: Tregynon & Welshpool

Favourite Running Distance: 5k (fundamentally lazy!!) Trail or Road? Trail – I can enjoy the view and see the countryside!

Sandra Banfield

Leads in: Tregynon

Why I joined Dollies: For the fitness as I’d had a sedentary lifestyle for many years Favourite Running Distance: Park run Trail or Road? Trail

Mandy Cooke

Leads in: Bishops Castle

Why I joined Dollies: After turning 40 and having a bit more time as my kids were getting older I decided Ii wanted to get fit and something for just ‘me’ so joined the dollies in September 2015 Favourite Running Distance: Half marathon Trail or Road? Ohhhh I can’t actually decide! I love trail for the stunning scenery and views but I love road races for building up speed and the support of the spectators!