‘Best running advice I’ve ever had? Join your local club’ – Christine Neill

Saturday 27th December 2025

By Martin Kay

When Christine Neill first laced up her running shoes a few years ago, representing Scotland was the last thing on her mind.

A busy working mum with no formal athletics background, she joined Law and District AAC only after some gentle encouragement from her husband, Allan.

‘If I’m honest, it was Allan who encouraged me to join a running club with him,’ she laughs.

‘Looking back, I don’t know if I would have had the confidence to join on my own, so I’m so glad he talked me into it. It’s been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. The club is more than just a running club, it’s friends for life.’

Fast forward to today, and Christine has pulled on a Scotland vest for the first time for the Scottish Veteran Harries Club Masters cross-country team. An achievement she still struggles to believe.

‘Never ever in a million years would I have thought I’d get the chance to represent my country in a sport I only started in my 30s. It still blows my mind.’

Balancing training with family life and her role at the Blood Transfusion Service is something colleagues frequently marvel at.

‘People say, ‘I don’t know how you do it kids, work, running,‘ but when you truly love something, it’s not a chore,’ she says.

‘Yes, I need to be organised and plan around the kids and work, but I do it because I want to. If you want something enough, you make it work. It’s not always plain sailing but staying consistent and not being too hard on myself is key.’

And while many of us struggle to get out of bed for an early shift, Christine is often miles into her day before she even arrives at work.

‘My colleagues quite often question my life choices, especially when I’ve run 16k before my shift has even started,’ she laughs.

‘“But when they discovered I’d been selected for Scotland, their reactions and support really touched me. It’s lovely knowing others are proud of my achievements and recognise the hard work I put in.’

There’s also a running joke quite literally about the amount of food she consumes. ‘They all say the same: ‘It’s obviously all that running you do!’’

For Christine, running is much more than medals or race results.

‘Running has brought so many benefits to my life. I feel the fittest I’ve ever been, which helps when you have two young boys who run you off your feet. Just being able to move, to get outdoors, to take in your surroundings . . . nothing beats it.’

She says running has helped her rediscover a part of herself that can get lost in the chaos of family life.

‘Quite often you hear women say they just become ‘Mum’ after having kids. As much as I love being a mum, it’s really nice to have something that’s just for me an hour a day where I can switch off and clear my head.’

Christine hopes her journey shows others that it’s never too late to start something new.

‘I really hope my story inspires others to believe in themselves. We’re all capable of achieving things that feel impossible. When I think back to where I started to where I am now, it still amazes me.

‘It takes commitment, but the feeling of achieving your goals, big or small, is something money can’t buy. You’re as young today as you’ll ever be again, so don’t think about it just do it!’

With her Scotland debut behind her, Christine is already looking ahead.

‘I’ve got a few target races for next year, but the main goal is to keep working hard, stay committed, and continue to learn and improve as an athlete.’

For someone who only joined a running club on a bit of a nudge and now pulls on the national vest, it’s clear that Christine’s journey is only just beginning.

And for every working parent who wonders whether it’s too late to start, she is living proof that the answer is a resounding ‘No’.