There’s only one thing that’s better than being a runner and that’s running as part of a group.

Of course that is my humble opinion, but I’ve found I am so much more motivated when running with friends or even complete strangers.

My running journey only began a few short years ago and in that time I’ve run four marathons, some half marathons, 10km runs, over seventy parkruns and countless training runs around the cold, lonely streets of Medway.

It was about six months ago, having completed the London Marathon for the first time I was signposted to my local running club, the Rebel Runners. With some fear and trepidation, I decided to go along and see what they were all about one evening.

I’m not the slowest in the world, but I certainly wouldn’t consider myself as being an athlete, and I went along fearing everyone would be taking it incredibly seriously and would be a lot faster than me.

My fears were soon set aside though as I was greeted with open arms and reassured that the run would be fully inclusive, going at a pace to suit all with run leaders throughout the pack to ensure no one was left on their own.

That first run had me so inspired, I couldn’t wait to go back for more and more importantly, I couldn’t wait to tell my friends.

Fast forward six months and Wednesday night runs with the Rebel Runners is as firmly fixed in the diary as Christmas is on December 25th.

What’s more impressive though, is the amount of people that brave the weather to run as part of the group. Every Wednesday there’s at least fifty runners going off from the various starting points around Medway, offering different challenges along the way.

I’ve been incredibly impressed with how many of my running friends have joined up as members as well and there’s sometimes a dozen or so of us getting our trainers on every Wednesday night to join up with the men and women donning their hi-vis luminous yellow tops.

That’s what makes being a Rebel fun; running with friends. Before you know it, you’ve run five to ten kilometres, but more importantly, you’ve inadvertently inspired someone else. I think that’s what motivates me the most now, trying to persuade someone new to take up running, or supporting them with achieving their goals.

There will be a good number of us doing the Brighton Marathon next year for Kent Sports Trust Foundation and it’s nice to see that runs with the Rebels will go a long way to helping the guys and girls make their way round the 26.2 miles.

That’s where marathons are won or lost, or more importantly, completed or not. Most people would think a marathon is run in one day, but my experiences have taught me half the battle is the preparation and what happens before the event. I’m a firm believer that you need to put the miles in to prepare your body for what lies ahead.

One of the biggest battles with running is the mental aspect. Getting your trainers on and stepping out the front door when it is sub zero is undoubtedly one of the hardest things you will ever do, but will give you one of the biggest senses of achievement when you step back inside after a great run.

This is where I think being a Rebel Runner helps me so much on various levels. Running with others is by far more enjoyable than being out on my own. Having someone to chat to on the way round makes a run go quicker, but also helps to relieve stress. There’s nothing better than having a good old waffle and I’m known to waffle for England!

For me though, I don’t think you can underestimate the power of running on someone’s mental health. I’ve seen some incredible stories in recent weeks with both Mandy Marshall and Peter Bradley, both Rebel Runners, having lost lots of weight through running, but they’ve both touched upon how much more confident they are.

This is where I need to come clean. This past year or two have been incredibly hard for me for various reasons.

I won’t bore you with all the details, but suffice to say my mental health has probably suffered. Running has helped me get that order back in my life and gives me a sense of optimism and light at the end of the tunnel.

I’ve been touched by how complete strangers have gone out of their way to support me at Rebel Runners and it’s that kindness and empathy that’s made me realise I will always be a Rebel.

We’re all guilty of neglecting our mental health from time to time and I’m no different. If you have a broken leg, everyone shows you kindness and support, but unless you open up with your problems, no one will ever know you are struggling on the inside. It’s much like a duck I’m told; they can look serene on the surface, but are paddling away under the water to keep afloat.

Humans are probably not that different to ducks and that’s why I’d urge anyone to be struggling with their mental health, to get out, join their local running club, make new friends and have the time of their lives.

I’m extremely proud to see that Rebel Runners are up for the Club of the Year award at this year’s Medway Sports Awards and if there is any justice in this world, they and Johanna Bridge (up for Official of the Year), one of the many unsung heroes of the club, will come away with the recognition they rightly deserve.

I don’t know what I’d do now without my weekly Rebels runs. It really has become a massive part of my life.

To sum up Rebel Runners in one sentence, people arrive as strangers and leave as friends.