Running clubs have become more than just training grounds, they're communities united by a shared passion.
With every stride, runners build connections that transcend geographical boundaries. In the second More Than Miles story, we meet Angus Bock, a member of the Plodders Running Club, whose journey from Australia to the UK highlights the transformative power of running and the unifying spirit of the global running community.
A Running Club, A Mental Sanctuary
For Angus, the rhythm of running isn’t just a workout, it’s a mental escape.
Being part of the Plodders Running Club, he has discovered a profound connection between his physical and mental wellbeing. “My biggest motivator for running is I find there’s a direct correlation between my mental health and my self-confidence really,” he shares. “When I’m running, I feel the most confident that I can be. I just feel up and about. I feel happy with myself.”
In his own words, “I feel so much better about myself” when he runs.
The Power of Goal Setting
Angus is all about chasing personal milestones. His recent feat of completing the Hackney Half shows just how determined he is.
“I think there’s just something super powerful about setting yourself a goal and say, ‘three months, and I want to run a time’ and just sticking to that and holding yourself accountable,” he shares. This accomplishment shows the discipline and determination that running has fostered in him, demonstrating how setting and achieving goals can lead to significant personal growth.
“I was super proud of what I could pull off for that,” he adds.
Global Community, Local Belonging
Relocating from Melbourne to Manchester wasn’t always easy, but for Angus, running built a bridge to a new community.
“Running is something that carries with it quite a big community worldwide,” he explains. Luckily, joining Plodders gave him an instant sense of belonging. “As soon as I got here, I just wanted to meet people and joining a running club is just something that allows me to do something that I love, which is running, and meet a whole bunch of new people and make Manchester feel like a community for me.”
The transition from sunny Australia to the often-unpredictable British weather could have been a hurdle, but Angus found comfort on the other side of the world thanks to the global nature of the running community. “It’s something very powerful about just rocking on a Saturday joining a local run club, and you’re going to meet the same people you’re going to meet back home in Australia,” he explains.
This universal bond made the move smoother and enriched his life in his home away from home.
Accountability Is Resilience
When asked about resilience, a quality we at SUDU advocate for, Angus offers a thoughtful response. “Resilience means to me just holding yourself accountable,” he says. “When you set yourself a goal, you can really see and get the best out of yourself. I think the best learnings in life are on the other side of hard things, and I think that’s what resilience to me. It’s the ability to show up and be accountable to yourself – that's super important.”
Celebrate the Journey With SUDU
Angus’ story shows just how life-changing running can be. It’s more than just a physical activity, it’s a journey of self-discovery, community building and resilience.
Stay tuned for more inspiring stories as we continue to explore the world of running and meet the incredible individuals who make it happen.