The history of Angels Running Club
Angels Running Club was founded in 1988 by runner and triathlete Inger Baud. Inger, who is originally from Sweden, was keen to encourage other women to find the enjoyment that she did from running. At that time there were no clubs out there specifically for women, men are generally physiologically stronger and faster, and she felt that this could discourage women wanting to try running for the first time. She wanted to create something that was inclusive, for all women, not just for those who could run fast, a place where women could grow in confidence and running ability.
With this vision in mind, Inger decided to recruit a team of 16 women to train for and run a 10km race. In the days before the internet and social media, the local paper was the place to get the word out. Inger approached the Gloucester Citizen and asked for women who were interested to write to her expressing their interest. She was surprised to receive nearly 40 enquiries and faced the difficult task of choosing a team of 16 women to train. Once selected, the Citizen followed their progress, writing regular reports and detailing the 84 day training plan that the team was following, the paper named the group ‘Inger’s Angels’. The training culminated after just three months of training in the King of Clubs Ladies 10km road race, in which 155 women ran, in times ranging from 36:58 to 1:11:11. Eleven of the runners were Inger’s Angels.
Following their success, Inger’s Angels were keen to keep running and move on to new challenges, much to Inger’s delight. She speaks with passion about the difference that she believes running can make to people’s lives: “I wanted all women to have the opportunity to enjoy the benefits that running had given me, not only the physical benefits, but also the confidence, the connection with others and opportunities to travel and have new experiences”.
As the club grew, Inger’s dream was realised. More women joined and within a couple of years the club sought affiliation with England Athletics. This was not without its challenges, with the move being opposed by representation from a local athletics club. It was felt that the creation of a women’s running club would harm the sport by creating competition within existing mixed clubs. However, Inger and her Angels prevailed, the only concession being that affiliated clubs were not allowed to include people’s names and so Angels Running Club was formed.
The King of Clubs 10km race, the brainchild of Inger was the first 10km women’s only race in Gloucestershire and was originally held annually in Churchdown. It was eventually discontinued when the route was no longer considered safe. The Beacon 10K, in Haresfield, took it’s place becoming a mixed race. Since Inger had her original idea for the King of Clubs 10K, women’s only races have grown in popularity, demonstrating a need for women to have a space to race, in which they don’t feel that they must compete with men.
The Angels 10K race is now held annually in Ashleworth for both men and women and organised by Angels Running Club. The club has continued to go from strength to strength, with members running races locally, nationally and internationally, upholding the original ethos of providing a club for female runners to build confidence, strength and running ability as well as connections and long-lasting friendships within a supportive community.
