Thank you to the ever dependable Andrea Hopwood for stepping in with this great profile
1. Do you have a nickname?
My favourite nickname was Hoppers at a former workplace when my oppo was nicknamed Hadders. Other than that I’ve been nicknamed Hoppy, Andi & Stranger.
2. What is your favourite piece of running kit/equipment?
Probably a buff (or Dashers Duff)…they can be used as neck warmer/scarf, hat, ear muff, sweat rag, something to keep your cap on in the wind or wipe the rain off your face.
3. What is your favourite race and why?
The Winter Warmer 10K…once you’re up Buncer Lane, it’s a lovely leg stretcher along the top (until that sneaky 2nd hill, but we don’t like to mention that…). Plus it’s a local race, and the support on the route from the marshals at Blackburn Road Runners is phenomenal.
4. Any pbs that you are most proud of? (race or distance)
It has to be my PB at London Marathon in April 2023 in 4:39:59…not only was it very pleasing to be a second under 4:40, but it beat my previous marathon time of 5:06:17 at Chester in 2019. On the Saturday after London, I also got a 5K PB at Keswick Parkrun in 25:45, beating my previous time on that course of 31:47. (You’ll find out what happened next in the next question)
5. What has been your worst running injury?
Whilst I was training for London in 2023, I damaged my ankle & needed physio to get through the training and the marathon. At Keswick Parkrun the week after, I did a proper job on my Achilles and I’m only just running pain free again.
6. Improving Dasher to keep an eye on?
Storm Hunt seems to be running from strength to strength since completing the beginners group last year, and the Parkrun PBs keep coming for Sarah Darby!
7. Where is the most exotic place that you have ever been for a run?
Furthest away from home, is Costa Teguise, Lanzarote…I do like to find a Parkrun on holiday and Penrhyn Parkrun is impressive - the finish is in a castle gate.
8. Highlight of your running career so far
London Marathon, I’d recommend it to anyone. The whole experience is phenomenal!
9. Any hobbies we don’t know about?
Horse Riding & walking. I keep promising myself that I’ll take up the Saxophone again, but I don’t want to fall out with my neighbours (anyone got a soundproof booth?!)
10. Interesting fact about yourself
My lower front teeth are crooked because I tried to get down a metal spiral staircase in my baby walker when I was 6 months old.
11. Most interesting job (past or present)
I worked as an Employment Adviser for a few years and met loads of interesting characters.
12. Dasher you admire and why
Jim Taylor - he’s achieved so much in his running career, and he never gives up! Also, I’m sure if you cut him down the middle you’d read the words ‘Darwen Dashers’ like a stick of Blackpool Rock (I promise I’m not going to try that Jim!)
13. Any future running ambition?
I think I’ve peaked in terms of distance & pace, so now I’ve got a running bucket list including the Chester Metric Marathon and a couple of lumpy runs in the Lake District.
14. Favourite song on your playlist to run to?
I’ve got quite a varied running playlist, including Fleetwood Mac, Blink 182, Journey, and The Beatles. Never Gonna Not Dance Again by Pink, and Made You Look by Meghan Trainor always pick me up on a tough run.
15. Which person, past or present, would you most like to run with?
Kathrine Switzer…she was the first woman to run a marathon as an officially registered competitor despite the race director assaulting her on the course and trying to grab her bib number to stop her. Women weren’t considered physically capable of running marathons at that time & she helped to change that and inspire women to take part.
16. Best thing about the Darwen Dashers
Over the years, I’ve witnessed the Club pull together to support members who are facing a tough time - whether it’s organising an event to raise money for a charity, or ensuring that we remember people who are no longer with us. I also think it’s a testament to the club that we have such a broad spectrum of runners…road or off-road, variety of pace, Parkrun, Ultra Marathon and everything before and in-between.
17. Any running (or other) superstitions?
I wouldn’t say it was superstition, but when it comes to training for big events I can get a bit obsessive about following a training plan & making sure I’ve tried and tested everything I’m going to wear, eat & drink before the event…surely that’s just being prepared?!
18. Your perfect, indulgent, post run meal
Can’t beat a Bacon butty with brown sauce after a long Sunday morning run.
19. One piece of advice for a new runner
No experienced runner got out of bed one morning and discovered that they could run as far or fast as they do, they all started somewhere and built up their pace/distance. So don’t compare yourself to anyone else, and never say never!
20. Sum yourself up in 5 words
Tenacious, sensitive, resilient, daft, caring.
