Marjolein Wijbenga-Groot was more of a sprinter as a youngster.
That changed when she began going on long distance runs with the help of a local running group.
The benefits were twofold. She found it provided her an opportunity to exercise and explore the outdoors at the same time.
“About seven years ago I started running and a local group called ‘The Rarebits’ helped me a lot,” Wijbenga-Groot said.
“I found out fast that I’m a trail runner at heart and I love being outside and running places like the Bruce Trail, Shades Mills and Huron Natural area.”
Now the Cambridge resident, who is a race director for the Conquer the Canuck and Cambridge Mill races along with Maria Michel of Cambridge, is trying to help others get into the activity with her own group she's coined Hespeler Running.
“I care about easy access to activity and sports locally,” Wijbenga-Groot said.
“I wanted to connect my local running community so we can run together. We have roads and trails we can use whenever we want and we should use them.”
The group meets Wednesday night, is free of charge and is open to anyone, regardless of skill level.
“Anyone is welcome, slow runner, fast runner, long distance runner or shorter distance,” she said.
“Everyone starts somewhere with running and some people will be fast and some people will never be that fast. You’re your biggest competitor in running.”
Speaking from personal experience, Wijbenga-Groot says the best way to get better is to go out and connect with likeminded people.
Those connections are what she hopes are formed through Hespeler Running.
“There are so many aspects to running and different people have different strategies, types of races they like and kinds of advice,” she said.
“Getting connected is my best advice. There is so much to learn.”
No matter what the individual goal is, Wijbenga-Groot wants people to have a positive, uplifting experience.
“I want to bring people together, create a community inside a community and help each other reach goals, whatever they might be,” she said.
“Running isn’t always easy and being together makes it easier.”
Anyone interested in joining the group can inquire on the Hespeler Running Facebook page.
