Who we are We’re a mixed ability ladies running group with 5 different locations: Welshpool, Shrewsbury, Bishops Castle, 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) We also offer a relaxed social run on a Thursday evening in Welshpool suitable for all those who have completed the walk to run beginners course or can already run 5k.
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!!
Your Local Leaders
Kim Evans
Hosts & Leads in: Bishops Castle
Why I Joined Dollies: I was talked into going for a run with a group of friends, one being Sharon…I’d never run in my life before and I thought I would hate it!!! BUT after weeks of nagging I went along and found I loved it!!! Before long the nights were drawing in and we couldn’t run our usual country trails so instead starting meeting in Welshpool and running around the town. It wasn’t long before we were being stopped by ladies asking us what running group we were and could the join…..we of course welcomed anyone to join us but we were simply a group of running buddies. But before long Sharon had us enrolled on our leaders course and, as the saying goes, the rest is history!! Favourite Running Distance: I’m definitely a long distance plodder but have said I’m not doing anything over 30 miles anymore – but we’ll see!! Trail or Road? Trail every time!!!
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 Hodgkiss
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!!
Stephanie Woosnam
Leads in: Bishops Castle
Why I joined Dollies: To make new friends and increase my fitness Favourite Running Distance: 10k Trail or Road? Don’t mind a bit of both!!!
Carrie Vaughan
Leads in: Welshpool
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.
Harriet Evans
Leads in: Bishops Castle
Why I joined Dollies: I had never been a runner so wanted to prove myself wrong and get fit. Favourite Running Distance: Before having my little girl I was comfortable with 5k, since having my little girl comfortable at 10k. My current aim is a half marathon. Trail or Road? I haven’t done a lot of Trail so its got to be road!
Lindsay Evans
Leads in: Welshpool
Why I joined Dollies: I joined Dollies as I’ve always enjoyed running and was actually pretty good as a youngster but boys, alcohol and career got in the way until about 5 years ago when I decided I needed something positive to focus my mind on and the Dollies seemed perfect. Running and chatting to fellow ladies soon had me hooked and I haven’t looked back since, having made some fantastic friends along the way. Favourite Running Distance: Probably 10k, it’s not too far but quite fast without feeling like I’m dying. Trail or Road? I’d say I’m a road runner as I like the faster pace but I love a trail run with my running buddies as I can go a bit steadier and we chat/gossip along the way
Clare Cox
Leads in:
Why I joined Dollies: I moved to the area from Ellesmere & wanted to find new places & people to run with. Favourite Running Distance: I pretty much run all distances, from parkruns to ultramarathons covering road & trail. Trail or Road? Trail has become my preferred terrain over the last 12 months.
Elaine Lewis
Hosts & Leads in: Welshpool
Why I Joined Dollies: Because of the Groups 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
Hosts & Leads in: Gregynog
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.
Vanessa Thomas
Leads in: Welshpool
Why I Joined Dollies: Mid Life Crisis!!!! Favourite Running Distance: 10k Trail or road? Trail
Helen Diack
Leads in: Shrewsbury
Why I joined Dollies: After completing the couch to 5k on my own I wondered what it would be like to run with other people. Before my first Dollies run I had only intended coming along occasionally but I loved the company and support so much I came back every week!! Favourite Running Distance: This changes but its currently half marathon Trail or Road? Road
Kathy – Jo Barnes
Leads in: Bishops castle
Why I joined Dollies: Had my arm twisted by Chelle Bateson!!! I thought I wouldn’t like running in a group – how wrong I was!!!! Favourite Running Distance: Don’t really have a favourite distance, as long as I feel energised and have had fun!! Trail or Road? Definitely Trail!!
Chelle Bateson
Leads in: Bishops Castle
Why I joined Dollies: I was encouraged by a friend to start. Favourite Running Distance: Half-marathon. Trail or Road? Definitely Trail!!
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
Liz Lowe
Leads in: Bishops Castle and Gregynog
Why I joined Dollies: I was bullied in to it by my daughter – but saying that I’ve never looked back!!! Favourite Running Distance: 5k Trail or Road? Road – its cleaner!!!!
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
Bryony Ridge
Leads in: Gregynog
Why I joined Dollies: I joined The Dolly Mixtures because at the time I lived right by the church barn in Bishops Castle and had no excuse to not sign up for some exercise! Favourite Running Distance: My favourite distance at the moment is probably about 4.5 miles (but that’s not a popular race distance!) Trail or Road? I would always choose trail over road.
Claire Allen
Hosts & Leads in: Llandrinio
Why I joined Dollies: I’m friends with Sharon Favourite Running Distance: Anything over 5k – it takes me that long to warm up!! Trail or Road? Definitely Trail but enjoy road too as part of training
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!!
Sarah Pearce
Leads in: Llandrinio
Why I joined Dollies: I joined Dollies to get back into running and to have a hobby. Favourite Running Distance: Half-marathon. Trail or Road? Definitely road for me.
Caroline Johnson
Leads In: Llandrinio
Why I joined the Dollies: I was persuaded to go along because a group was starting in Llandrinio, and I no longer had an excuse not to start running again! So glad I did. Running is a life line. Favourite running distance: I like all distances but prefer a leisurely long distance to a faster shorter distance where if you blink you don’t know where you have been. Trail or Road? Always trail!
Tricia Hirst
Leads in: Welshpool
Why I Joined Dollies: I joined for the companionship Favourite Running Distance: Marathons Trail or Road? Road
Vanessa Richardson
Leads in: Bishops Castle
Why I joined Dollies: I joined when the group originally started as I was wanting to lose my baby weight. Favourite Running Distance: Half Marathon Trail or Road? Road
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.
Anne Scott
Leads in: Bishops Castle
Why I joined Dollies: I joined the Dollies because I was doing a bit of running on my own and a friend encouraged me to join which has been great for moral support and motivation. Favourite Running Distance: Half-marathon Trail or Road? I love a trail!
Esther Griffiths
Hosts & 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.
Adele Beddows
Leads in: Shrewsbury
Why I Joined Dollies: I joined to meet new people. Favourite Running Distance: around 4.5miles at present but working on increasing my distance for a half marathon. Trail or Road? In the past I would have said road but I now much prefer trail – much prettier!
Karen Breese
Leads in: Shrewsbury
Why I Joined Dollies: I joined after some personal difficulites and was struggling with anxiety. I joined with my friend aka Super Sarah! I always thought I was too old and fat to run but here I am loving it and meeting new Dollies! The support and encouragement is fantastic and every achievment is celebrated. It the best thing I have done in a long time! Favourite Running Distance: Trail or Road? Road
Claire Abel
Leads in: Welshpool
Why I joined Dollies: Sharon told me to come along!!! I’d never run with anyone before let alone a group – and here I am 5 years later!!! Favourite Running Distance: 5k (fundamentally lazy!!) Trail or Road? Trail as I’m getting older and therefore slower – can enjoy the view and use it as an excuse!!!
Fflur Roberts
Leads in: Welshpool
Why I joined Dollies: I started running with Sharon and the trail jesters a year or so prior to joining the dollies and had previously been unsure and a little nervous about joining a running club. I had spotted the pink army on the streets of welshpool often, and liked the look and sound of the positive supportive nature of the group – I joined and wish I had joined sooner!! Favourite Running Distance: Long distance – Half marathon or over! Trail or Road? Trail
Laura Kavanagh
Leads in: Welshpool
Why I joined Dollies: I Joined Dollies as I wanted to run with a group to up my running mileage and make some new running buddies!Favourite Running Distance: Half-marathon Trail or Road? I love trail and fell over road running.
Sandra Banfield
Leads in: Mainly Welshpool but have been to other clubs when needed.
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!
Karen Clewlow
Leads in:
Why I joined Dollies: I joined Dollies to improve my running and because Sarah Pearce spoke so fondly of it. Favourite Running Distance: Favourite distance is probably 8 to 10. Trail or Road? Road – no hesitation.