25–26 Jan 2025 77 days to go! #RunShow Tickets

Jo Page

I took up regularly running 3 years ago in a desperate bid not to put on any more weight as I had started a new job. I would never have guessed that such a simple decision would change my life so dramatically. A few months later I moved to Devon and started running on Dartmoor. This is when I fell in love with trail running (January 2018). I started running just a few times a week and entering a couple of local races. Since then I have just run and run, a bit like Forrest Gump. I have taken part in over 45 races a year (excluding 2020), ran cross country for my county and I now run nearly every day.

In 2019 I took part in multiple trail races including my first trail marathon (where I came 2nd female). I then turned my focus to road marathons. I also took part in my first and only ultra-Marathon which was the Dartmoor Discovery. I smiled the whole way round the 32-mile route as the views were just stunning and it was just an unforgettable day. I have now completed 5 marathons and 1 virtual marathon.

During lockdown I am fortunate to be able to run to Dartmoor from my door. I know I am very lucky to have been able to do that. This is why I’ve now been converted back to being a trail runner again. I love trail running. I walk the hills and eat cake, what’s not to love. My long runs are now fuelled by homemade Churchill fruit cake which I have taken to baking weekly since the first lockdown began.

In July last year I ran two female FKT’s, something I never have thought possible two or three years ago (The Cornish Skyline and the Clarendon Way).

On a side note. I don’t just run; I walk a lot too. My life is just one big adventure as I live to the mantra ‘Don’t sleepwalk through life’. I’ll give anything a go as I’m always up for a new adventure or experience.