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Nov 2020

Last Updated: 27/11/2020

Health

Bishop of Ripon: why I love running

by John Plummer

| 29 Nov, 2020

The Stray Ferret joins the Rt Rev. Dr Helen-Ann Hartley on an 8 kilometre route around Ripon to find out more about her new-found love of running and why she believes exercise provides more than physical benefits.

When the Bishop of Ripon called this month for the city to get a new sports village, she wasn't speaking purely in a professional capacity.

The Rt Rev. Dr Helen-Ann Hartley is a keen runner who believes exercise has more than physical benefits.

Usually she runs alone but she's also a member of Ripon Runners, and occasionally swaps her maroon robes for the club's maroon colours.

The Stray Ferret was curious to discover more about the link between fitness and godliness and cheekily asked Helen-Ann is we could join her for a run.

She cheerfully agreed and on a pleasant eight kilometre jaunt around Ripon explained more about her journey from non-runner to regularly taking on distances of up to 16 km.

She didn't start running until two years ago, when she was 45. She says:

"I decided to give the couch to 5k programme a go. I never thought of myself as a runner, I enjoyed walking and going to the gym.

"But some friends had tried the programme and I thought it would be fun to try.

"I soon found the benefits of running both physically and mentally and starting Parkrun in August 2019 was a real milestone in my running journey."

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Helen-Ann typically runs five to 15 km three times a week. Her personal best for a 5k is just under 30 minutes — it was 45 minutes when she started.

"To be honest though, I’m not that fussed about timing! My longest run was just over 16 km and I’m aiming for a half-marathon."

Does running help with her day job?

"I think it does, because I use running to create space; I’ve often mulled tricky things over in my mind, or pondered a sermon and almost always come up with an idea or a different perspective because I’ve been out and about.

"I even pray as I run sometimes, when I’m running down streets I think of the people and the businesses and hope they’re doing ok, especially at the moment."

Great North Run ambitions

Having grown up in the north-east, Helen-Ann's ambition is to complete the Great North Run, which is a half marathon from Newcastle to South Shields.

"My dad has done it. I’d love to do it and raise money for a brilliant charity called Daft as a Brush that provided the transport to enable my dad to access his cancer treatment in Newcastle, which thankfully finished just before the first lockdown. The treatment was successful, thankfully."

As any runner will tell you, part of the joy is discovering new routes and Ripon has plenty to offer.

"I do think the Fountains Abbey Parkrun is an amazing route. I love running along the river Ure in Ripon, though it’s a bit muddy at the moment".

Bishop spotting

She joined Ripon Runners during lockdown

"Seeing them out and about as individuals or in their bubbles doing a lockdown challenge in fancy dress made me think, they look like a cheery bunch. So I emailed their membership secretary Nicole and got such an enthusiastic response I knew I’d made the right decision.

"As a club they welcome all types of runners, fast, slow and everything in-between. I really enjoy the weekly runs when we are able to gather. Generally though I’m a solo runner and enjoy waving at fellow runners as I go on my way."

Helen-Ann says she doesn't get recognised often, probably because she looks so different.

"But occasionally people do a double-take but by the time they have decided if that was or wasn’t the bishop I’m well on my way!"

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Bishop of Ripon: why I love running

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Great North Run ambitions

Bishop spotting