Tanya Byers
I started running later in life. I always think it’s so funny that the girl who used to forge notes to get out of PE is now in charge of a running group.
In 2016 I joined a local couch to 5k programme and discovered I really enjoyed running. Unfortunately I didn’t get the opportunity to complete the programme as in April 2016 I was diagnosed with cervical cancer. I had to have a big operation and running got put on the back burner. However in 2017 when I got the all clear from the dr I was determined to re-do the c25k programme again and complete the qualifying run. I did that and decided to use running as a way of raising awareness and funds for cancer research. At races I often tell my story if I’m running with others. If it helps save one life it will be worth it.
How Nazarunners started
In summer 2017 My church asked me if I would lead a summer running connect group and create a c25k programme. Although I felt completely out of my depth I decided to give it a go and that’s how Nazarunners was born. We met in summer 2017 and the group of 20-30 people from our church and the local community completed the C25k course using the local parkrun in Carrickfergus as their qualifying run. I really enjoyed the atmosphere and spirit in the group and so when members asked if we could keep on running - my answer was a resounding yes. Over the years we’ve had about 40 people come and train with us or complete our programmes we have a core group of about 20.
When I set up Nazarunners I wanted it to be an all age all ability group. I didn’t want to exclude anyone and wanted to smash the myth surrounding running that it was an elitist sport- I thought if I can do it anyone can. We have all ages and abilities coming along from runners to run-walk-runners to walkers and every combination in between. We all support each other and at races we make sure we stay and cheer until all our members are over the finish line.
Our motto is “courage to start, strength to endure and resolve to finish ”. I know how sometimes you have to pluck up the courage to start running, how in the middle of a race it can take you all your strength to keep going and how we sometimes have to use our resolve to finish the race. Our members have trained and ran different distances from 5k to full marathon.
We meet in Carrickfergus and some of my favourite runs are round there. I love running from Carrick to Hazelbank as on a good day the views are stunning. My favourite park run is Portrush as it was my first ever park run.
During lockdown I kept the group motivated by creating scavenger hunts and challenges and also through a weekly zoom call. These calls were a great opportunity for us to get to know each other better.