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25
Jul
Meet Jemima Elgood: the Harrogate runner making her mark
The making of a runner
Seasoned runners may have noticed a familiar name appearing more and more frequently on race results: Jemima Elgood.
The talented 27-year-old has been winning race after race – no surprise given her personal bests of 15:45 for 5km and 33:11 for 10km, as well as numerous appearances for England and a cross-country appearance for Great Britain.
Jemima’s running journey began at the age of seven, almost by accident. Her younger brother was competing in the Wharfedale Primary Schools XC League and, despite arriving in wellies, her dad encouraged her to join in, telling her, “You may as well do it.” From that moment, a love for running was born.
Growing up in Ilkley, she joined Ilkley Harriers at the age of eight, training with the club once a week. However, it wasn’t until she was 14 that she began to take the sport more seriously. Making the most of the beautiful countryside on her doorstep, she started going on runs on the Moors with a friend, and gradually built up both her fitness and her passion for the sport.
Balancing dentistry and elite running
As she got older and began thinking about her career, Jemima initially found herself torn between medicine and dentistry. After completing work experience, she decided dentistry offered the better work-life balance and went on to study the subject at Leeds University.
Throughout her studies, she continued to develop as a runner, training with the Leeds Beckett University running squad. Her weekly routine included three structured sessions with the group, alongside a long run, two easy runs and a rest day – and she still trains with the group today.
It’s a really nice training group. Everyone wants to run and enjoys running. We all work hard and it’s lots of fun.
Finding a running community
Alongside training with Leeds Beckett, Jemima also represents Nidd Valley Road Runners. She joined the club to take part in the Harrogate District Summer Race League – a series of multi-terrain evening races held throughout the summer.
It’s a really nice event. You do the race and then afterwards you get dinner, such as pie, a barbecue or hot dogs, and it’s a great sociable atmosphere.
Life beyond racing
After graduating, Jemima moved to Harrogate, where she now lives and works as a dentist.
She enjoys making the most of the surrounding countryside, often heading out for a long Sunday run with her now-husband before stopping at Crema Coffee for brunch or Fodder for a roast.
Indeed, her long Sunday runs could soon become even longer, as her next goal is to qualify for a marathon – specifically the London Marathon.
At the moment, I’m really enjoying 5km and 10km, whereas a half marathon is quite a long time to run for. And I’ve never run a marathon before, but I’d like to next year.
Although the London Marathon is her next big target, there are already several races she returns to year after year.
Favourite races
Among her favourite races is the Harmony Energy Run Harrogate 10km, where “loads of Harrogate Harriers are cheering you along the route”. She won the women’s race in late June 2026, completing the renowned course – which ends with the infamous ’Crimple Killer’ hill – in a speedy 37:58.
She also comments on how she has always loved cross country because “the course is always different and it keeps it interesting”, while another favourite race of hers is the road race, the Leeds Abbey Dash, thanks to its fast, flat course.
Motivation and advice
So what keeps her motivated when she’s in a race and the going gets tough? “I think to myself, ‘I chose to do this’, I enjoy pushing through.”
And her advice to other runners – and her younger self – is simple: “Ignore what other people are doing. Just do your own training, do what works for you.”
Judging by Jemima’s results, that approach is clearly working.
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