ABOUT two years ago local government payroll officer Sam Spalding from Worcester decided it was about time she got fit.

She was 50 and wanted to lose some weight too so, under the guise of a New Year’s resolution, in January 2016 she joined a local Happy Feet running group.

Little did she know that taking the first step toward a healthier life would eventually lead her to happiness beyond her wildest dreams.

“In 2016 I was 50 and I decided I needed to lose some weight and do some exercise. I thought I would try running. A girl I work with does marathons and is very fit and she kept suggesting I should try running,” said Sam, who works for Wychavon District Council.

“I saw an advert on the work intranet about the Couch to 5K running plan and decided to do it. It was a great introduction to running.”

She said she started by doing just 30 seconds running and followed by walking until, at the end of the nine-week programme, she could run for half an hour without stopping. “You never think you’ll be able to do it but you do.”

And on top of that, her new exercise regime helped her to lose three stones in weight.

Sam explained that one of the advantages of joining a running group is that you make friends. “It is a really friendly group and I have lots of lovely friends through it. Some of us meet up outside of the group and go running.”

She said one of her friends, also a runner, decided she wanted to go to Edinburgh and run a half marathon to mark her 40th birthday so Sam decided to increase her distance to take part too.

“A few of the running group wanted to try longer distances so the group offered us all training for it. For the half marathon I would run at least twice a week with the group. That is the joy of the group because you know you are going to see everyone and have a laugh,” said Sam.

“I never thought I would run a half marathon but I did. It was a wonderful experience and it was wonderful to do it in just under three hours. It was brilliant. I never, in a million years, thought I would do anything like that. I was so chuffed I completed it.”

But another life-changing surprise was around the corner. A few weeks after Sam started running with Happy Feet, Network Rail track inspector based at Shrub Hill, Worcester, Paul Clark joined the same running group.

The pair were both in relationships at the time but became firm friends and when they became single, Paul asked Sam out on a date.

Their relationship went from strength to strength and in July this year Paul proposed to Sam – they are getting married in May next year.

Sam said: “When people talked about finding their soul mate, I always thought it was a load of rubbish, but I totally get it now. I have met my match.

“Going running was the best decision I ever made. It has definitely been life-changing and for the better. Life cannot get any better than this. I cannot imagine how it can get any better than it is.

“Running makes you feel great,” she added. Sam, who used anti-depressants, says she is now starting to be able to reduce the dose because her mental health has improved so much.

How running helps wellbeing and mental health

A recent survey conducted by England Athletics, the governing body for athletics in England, of 13,200 people showed that three quarters of runners said they felt running was good for their mental health and a further survey of the organisation’s RunTogether members 89 per cent said they had increased happiness as a direct result of running with others or in a group.

Retired GP and elite level masters athlete who has taken part in the world championships Dr Averil McClelland said: “Physical exercise improves a person’s well-being by releasing endorphins, the body’s ‘feel good’ hormones.

“Studies show that in mild to moderate depression patients who exercise regularly do as well as those prescribed antidepressant medications or talking therapies.”

Dr Juliet McGrattan, GP and author of Sorted: The Active Woman's Guide to Health, said: “Energy levels and motivation are low when you are struggling with depression. Exercising and committing to a group can help give you the extra boost to get you going and keep you going.”

At the beginning of this year England Athletics launched a campaign called RunTogether in a bid to help adults across England to establish regular running habits – bringing a range of physical and mental health benefits.

RunTogether groups aim to be fun organised jogs/runs with other people and led by qualified group leaders. So far more than 40,000 people have registered with RunTogether.

The initiative offers a range of levels - complete beginner, people able to run around five km and more challenging runs for those who typically run at least once every week and want to increase their pace and or distance.

To find out more about RunTogether visit www.RunTogether.co.uk. To discover more about England Athletics visit www.englandathletics.org.

Dr Laurence Church, consultant with the Priory Group which specialises in mental health, said: “I treat an increasing number of people suffering from stress, depression and anxiety.

“Exercise, often running, can be an important component of recovery from mental health problems, and in maintaining well-being. The power of the social aspect of the RunTogether programme appears to be an important ingredient for many - boosting self-confidence, reducing social isolation and ensuring people keep coming back.”

Matt Birkett, Head of Participation at England Athletics, said: “At a time when mental health is such key concern for society, it’s great to formally acknowledge that something as simple as running with others can make such a significant difference to happiness and emotional wellbeing.

“Whether you’re contemplating lacing up in preparation for your first walk-jog or training for a specific event, being around other people who share your goals and motivation can be a powerful influence and the highly accessible RunTogether website means it’s easier than ever to find a local running group.

“With 1,328 RunTogether groups nationwide, people can choose from sessions ranging from ‘Get Me Started’ right through to ‘Challenge Me’.”