Strides & Smiles celebrates 1 year as a group

Strides & Smiles are a Glasgow-based jog group that were set up in April 2024 by Jog Leader, Kirsten Vieira da Luz. We caught up with Kirsten about the impact running and the group has had on her, written in her own words.

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Running has changed my life, maybe even saved it. I can’t imagine not having it in my life, the mental health benefits are huge.

However, I felt for new runners there can be so many invisible barriers. I was continually having conversations with people who desperately wanted to take up running, but either didn’t know where to start, didn’t feel safe, had childcare issues, or just really lacked confidence. I wanted to provide a safe and inclusive space that removed some of those barriers.

I myself attended a beginners run group, where the first run was a social 5k. Total beginners can’t run 5k straight away, so this is an immediate barrier for some. I wanted to provide a club where runners of ALL abilities could meet and run together, so no matter the pace, people can attend with their friends and family, and everyone starts, runs and ends the session together.

I therefore decided to set up a time-based session run club in a local park (Cuningar Loop). This meant beginner runners could receive a Couch to 5k experience whilst more advanced runners could use the session as speedwork. Our first night we had around 25 people, and we now get 40-50 regularly and there is a real supportive community spirit.

We have also partnered with another local club (Mount Vernon Runners) and through this, we’ve added events such as time trials from 1 mile to 3km. This gives newer runners that first taste of taking part in an event, whilst the more experienced runners have an opportunity to test their fitness.

The community and friendships built have been wonderful to watch. I have runners who, when injured, still come down to watch or walk with the group and meet up with their friends.

In the summer, when some parents have childcare issues (myself included!) some of the kids come down and play together in the centre of the loop whilst their parents get their run done. It has a real family feel to it.

The best thing is seeing everyone’s progress. We have taken so many people from literally “not being able to run for a bus” to completing their first 5k, something they said they would never been able to do. It makes it all worthwhile.

The support from the wider jogscotland network has been phenomenal. It doesn’t feel competitive and I have had so much support and kind words from other clubs and groups, as we all have similar goals.

My ambition is to provide more support to our runners and take on more Jog Leaders to enable this. We have our 1st birthday coming up in April, and the goal is to celebrate with a time trial and lots of cake and smiles!