Follow the leader – Judith hopes to inspire athletes

A RETIRED farmer turned running coach has encouraged others to join her after winning a 10k race.
Startforth’s Judith Rodwell, 66, took up running three years ago after hearing about the Teesdale Athletic Club Couch to 5k programme.
The former Bowes Moor farmer hated sport in her youth but running became a surprise passion after she turned up to a training session with her friend Barbara Crawley.
“It all started in 2013 two months before my 63rd birthday. We decided if they were all size eights and aged 18 we would just go home but it was a really good mixed group.
“The ambition then was to be able to do a 5k without stopping and it just progressed from there,” she said.
Mrs Rodwell beat 20 other runners at this year’s Leeds 10k to take first place in the over 65s category.
After completing her first Great North Run in September, she has already pencilled in the Manchester Half Marathon for May next year.
“I was a typical kid that was the last to be picked for sports,” she said.
“I don’t like team games and I’m one of the clumsiest people in the world.
“I really enjoyed it so I thought I would try a 10k – I did the Great North Run with Barbara and I’m going to go back and do another one.”
A few years on from her first foray into running, Mrs Rodwell is now a run leader and trains her own band of couch to 5k newcomers.
“It’s so satisfying to see someone who maybe does 5k in 45 minutes but they finish it and that’s the best thing about it,” she added.
“There is a sense of pride and achievement – especially for older people.
“We have been quite good at getting older women along but we need to reach out to older men.
“I think they are a little bit more self conscious.”
Mrs Rodwell has reaped the benefits of her new sport with the effects of her osteoarthritis tempered by exercise.
She encouraged others of her generation to give it a go.
She added: “People suffering from depression have said how much happier it makes them feel. It’s getting out and feeling tired because you have pushed your body.
“I have found something I am not completely rubbish at – it shows it's never too late to find something you can do.”
Amanda Pettit, from Teesdale AC, said Mrs Rodwell’s work at the club had been invaluable.
She added: “What Judith has achieved has been fantastic – everyone is delighted.
“She has really embraced the club as a run leader and, more importantly, as our social secretary.”