Meet Our Kit Specialist: Kerry Surkitt

After my best friend died from breast cancer, her husband started to enter 10km races every year for charity. And one year, I decided to join him. 

As my kids got older, I wanted to do something for myself. I started training as a fitness instructor but found I wasn't enjoying it as much as running. That’s when I decided to become a run leader. I did the course with my close friend, who said it was me who inspired her to run in the first place. So, it made sense we did it together. And that’s when we set up our women’s running group. 

At the time, there wasn’t a running group for women where we lived. Because of this, it became very popular. Women at many different stages of their run journeys would turn up - some experienced and others new to running. Fast forward to today and we’re running half marathons together. 

Running’s not only helped me quit smoking, but it’s also helped me maintain a healthy weight. Plus, it benefits my mental health too. If I’ve had quite the day, running clears my head and I’m left feeling energised. Likewise, my running community are brilliant. They’re supportive and always there for me. I’ve made some strong connections and lifelong friendships. I definitely have more friends now than I did before I started running! 

Wow - it’s hard to put into words. It was amazing. I was overjoyed by the amount of people that came to support me, including my husband, kids and even my dogs! A friend of mine marshalled just so they could be part of it.  

After crossing the finish line, I felt quite overwhelmed. I've actually got a photo of my husband and I hugging after the race. You can’t see my face, but whenever I look at that photo, I feel the emotion flood over me. The race fell just two days after my birthday, so it was a huge celebration. I remember thinking after, “What’s the next adventure?”. 

I first started running marathons for fun. I’d see one I liked the look of, and I’d enter it. My passion only grew from there. 

I started to set myself challenges. I had the idea of completing 50 marathons before I was 50. At the time, this meant running nine marathons per year. But then Covid struck before running my 47th marathon, bringing my challenge to a halt. 

Once we were able to run again, I became even more determined, reaching my goal much sooner than I originally anticipated. So, from there, I set myself the task of completing 52 marathons in 52 weeks. And once I achieved that, I entered my first 100-mile race. After that, I challenged myself to run 100 marathons.  

I love how every race is unique. From the atmosphere to the scenery and the people I meet. And it's not always about your personal best. It's about enjoyment. Taking in the scenery and meeting new people. 

When I’m out on the trails, I like to take in my surroundings and be in the moment. I don’t think about my pace so much and I enjoy the peace and quiet. It’s a completely different experience compared to road running. I like listening to the birds and the sound of the wind. Autumn is one of my favourite seasons because of the wonderful sound the crisp leaves make underfoot.   

My run clubs are a major motivator for me. Mainly because of all the connections and friendships I've formed. We'll catch up about our week and the races we’re competing in next. Plus, when I’ve had a stressful day, I know a run and a chat will make me feel much better. 

The main reason I’ve entered a race usually is because of a conversation with someone at my run club. It motivates me to keep challenging myself, and I’ve been told that I have the same effect on others – and that makes me happy. 

Run clubs help me discover new places too. When I’m visiting somewhere new, the first thing I'll do is look up the nearest parkrun. Parkruns are great for discovering new places because you’ll get chatting with runners who know the area. 

I think it’s important to get outside together because you motivate each other more. For example, when the weather’s miserable, it's easy to make up an excuse to not run. However, if you've made plans to run with someone, it's a commitment. It’s great for giving you that extra bit of motivation when you really need it. 

A specific piece of kit won’t work for everyone. That’s why a trip to your nearest Runners Need store can make all the difference. When you’re in-store, you can ask us anything. We can share our kit experiences so you’ll know what it’s like on the roads and trails. You name it, we’ve tried and tested it. 

You can also book a gait analysis in-store to find the right run shoes for your feet and gait. After a few minutes on the treadmill, we’ll know what shoes are best for your running style and needs. We’ll be able to recommend shoe models to complement your run and increase efficiency. 

The piece of kit that’s really helped me throughout my run journey is my run pack. When competing in ultras, a good backpack is crucial because you've got all the pockets to store things securely. There's so much to carry, especially if you’re staying overnight.  

I’ll be overly careful washing my kit. I’ll opt for the tech setting when washing my run clothes and air dry them rather than using the tumble dryer. I’ll professionally protect my shoes at our Runners Need store, too. For just £4.50, a footwear protection treatment prevents things like water and mud from damaging your shoes. It’s a great investment. 

Thanks for sharing your story and kit expertise with us Kerry. If you’ve been inspired to take on your own run challenge, book an in-store appointment with one of our kit specialists, or stop by your nearest Runners Need store.