Club treasurer Sharon, talks about leading regular Couch to 5K groups and how her running journey began the same way… 9 marathons later and multiple ultras under her belt.
Sharon Bowles
Sodbury Slog, 2017
Interview - March 2024
When did you start running/what got you into running?
I would watch my son and daughter at the school cross country events and myself and a friend were approached by their teacher Kaye Watts, a Harrier, to join Running Sisters, a couch to 5k group in January 2008 and that is where the running journey began.
I joined Wells City Harriers running on a Wednesday evening and have been with the club ever since.
Wednesday Evening Group
Do you have a running 'hero' or someone that inspired you to run?
My running hero is my friend and fellow coach Lynne Elstob. I met Lynne when she joined the Harriers on a Wednesday night. Lynne is such an inspiration and proves that age is no barrier to running.
Sharon and Lynne, London Marathon 2018
What runs do you enjoy the best?
I definitely enjoy road running best. Although, I have been known to run a few 100km trails!
Race to the Stones 100K, 2018
What distance races do you enjoy running?
I prefer 10k and half marathons. I think I am designed more for these runs!
Sharon (front left) with a group of Harriers at Bath’s Two Tunnels 10K, 2017
Where is the best place you have run?
I have yet to run abroad other than a few miles on holiday.
My favourite place to run is the Great North Run as I go away with my running buddies and make a weekend of it!
Great North Run, 2017
I have signed up for the Superhalfs to run Cardiff, Valencia ,Lisbon, Prague, Berlin and Copenhagen within 5 years.
Sharon’s 4th Great North Run 2021 (6 in total!)
Do you/did you participate in any other sports?
I loved sports at school and taking part in PE classes. As with many people, studying, starting work and raising a family -exercise and sport took a back seat. As my kids got older I joined a local bootcamp, started going to the gym and eventually retrained as a PT instructor. I now run my own fitness business (Sharon Bowles Fitness) alongside my accountancy business and offer Personal Training Sessions, Fitcamps and Pilates classes in Shepton Mallet, Wells and the surrounding areas.
Race to the King 50K, 2022
Do you have a preferred running brand?
I love my ONS trainers and have been wearing them for the last 5 years or so.
What is your greatest running achievement?
Even before I took up running I would watch and be inspired by people running the London Marathon. Although not my first marathon, I ran in London for the first time in 2018 (the hottest London Marathon ever) a month before my Dad died. He saw me on the TV as I was running over Tower Bridge and saw me achieve my ambition. I was so emotional finishing London that first time as it was something I had always dreamt about. I have now run 9 marathons so I suppose I should round it up to 10!
At the Finish, London Marathon 2018
You can often be found at Shepton Mallet ParkRun. What do you enjoy about ParkRun?
I love that I can still be in bed at 8.30 and be at the start line for 9am!! I love that ParkRun is all inclusive for all ages and abilities and can be the start of many peoples fitness/running journeys.
You are the club treasurer. How long have you been in the role, and what has the experience been like?
I think it must be at least 7 or 8 years now. I have liked being part of the committee and seeing what goes on behind the scenes. There are so many dedicated people giving their time and energy to the club as volunteers.
You regularly run a couch to 5K programme for beginners and people who want to get back into running. What is it like running these sessions and how do you feel when you get a group graduating at the end of the programme?
It is where it all started for me! It is such a great feeling to see people progress from Couch to 5K when they had so many doubts of their own ability at the start. I have met so many amazing people while running these courses and I love seeing how they progress. I was especially proud of two of our 2022 graduates who went on to run the 2023 London Marathon.
2016 Couch to 5K group at Wells Festival of Running
When is the next couch to 5K programme?
The next CT5K starts 3rd April 2024, weekly for 8 weeks and we are hoping that many of the graduates will run the Wells 5K as a celebratory run. (More details can be found here).
Are there any standout moments during your time at Wells City Harriers (for yourself or other members)?
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Watching runners graduate from couch to 5k.
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Actually winning a trophy at Street 5k Series (V45, 2016/17 for the series).
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Getting a London Marathon place via the club for 2019.
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Meeting all my great friends during my time with the Harriers.
What are your future plans with your running?
I have slowed down during the last few years due to the time taken with my fitness business and being a woman of a certain age but I want to invest more time on my own running. I have the Superhalfs to keep me busy over the next few years and also maybe marathon number 10!
Yeovil Half Marathon, 2022
Why Wells City Harriers?
It all began with Running Sisters and Kaye Watts so I have always been grateful to WCH for that beginning support and I have met some amazing people over the years.
Brighton Marathon 2014
To view Sharon's performances, visit her 'Power of 10' and 'Run Britain' profiles, by clicking on the images below.
Missed an interview? Click on the links below to Meet another Harrier.
Graham Goldsmid - January 2024
Sophie Nicholls - December 2023