IN THE interests of reviewing the best fitness regimes that Bolton has to offer, this week I took to the roads with members of Bolton United Harriers.

I was invited along by Barbara Williams.

At 57, Barbara is 20 years older than me, so you might think I'd have no problem keeping up with her.

But Barbara is in training for this year's London Marathon.

She is part of an enthusiastic group of runners who meet and set out weekly from the home of Bolton Harriers, Leverhulme Park.

They can regularly be seen pounding the streets of the town on routes that mix country lanes with road.

Barbara is convinced of the benefits of running. She has lost two and a half stone herself and she insists: "If I can do it anybody can."

Camaraderie

Originally she took up running to help keep the weight off -- she now runs for fun, relaxation and fitness -- and she loves the camaraderie at the club.

Barbara started running 18 months ago and her achievements are encouraging to say the least.

Over that period she has built up to running 40 miles a week, taking in the Great North Run along the way. I was aware she had run a 20-miler at the weekend. She is beginning to clock up the kind of mileage you would associate with a committed athlete.

"What's the shortest run you do and at what pace?" I asked meekly before agreeing to go along.

Barbara assured me I could join the "slow beginners group" and would have no trouble with the distance or the pace.

The first run Barbara had ever attempted was a 5km (three mile) fun run.

"Some fun run that was!" Barbara recalled -- she and her fellow runners Marie Merritt and Marjorie Whitehead had all struggled to complete the route. "We must have walked a fifth of it," she said.

She has come a long way since then -- they all have.

The marathon, any marathon, is the ultimate challenge, the distance requires tremendous endurance which is as much about mental as physical strength.

Twenty-five years ago, I had myself experienced some early success as a runner and had run on and off for years until in 1996 I dramatically changed my lifestyle. Now, well down the slippery slope to slobbery, it was with some trepidation that I met up with Barbara and her fellow runners at the club house.

My usual excuses for not going out running revolve around the British climate and long working hours.

And we had picked a bad night for our run. Even some of the regular runners weren't there. It was freezing!

Luckily, runners come in all shapes and sizes and I didn't feel out of place among the elite runners in the club house.

After all, it's part of the beauty of running that anyone can take up the challenge -- all you need is a good pair of running shoes. We all know that running will build strength and stamina -- but did you know that running a mile burns around 100 calories?

The main problem with running in these conditions is controlling the body's thermostat. The key is to wrap up warm enough to get out of the door without overheating once you're on the move.

Barbara introduced me to her coach Peter Barker who has worked with the trio -- now an established part of this group -- to help them prepare for the Marathon.

After a warm-up on the track and the essential stretching exercises we were ready for action.

We set off running up Bury Road. I hate hills. I feel like I could run forever on the flat, but put a hill in front of me and I immediately want to give up. Peter's advice is to set targets along the route. "Don't look too far ahead he said, just aim to get to the next lampost, and the next, and so on. Then look back at how far you've come."

For the first time I realised that running doesn't have to be a solo sport.

With Peter's gentle encouragement I made it to the top without stopping but by now I knew I would be opting for the shorter three mile route while the others set off on an "easy" 10km (six-miler).

Peter coaches the team. He runs easy miles with them (he has nothing to prove), and he helps newcomers out with basic running.

Peter ran by my side, occasionally shielding me from the wind as I ran behind. And he talked to me all the way round.

This was great partly because it took my mind off the effort involved but also by virtue of Peter's vast experience, was extremely interesting.

He talked about the importance of setting goals and challenges, variety in training, the benefits of speedwork and different types of running.

Peter was keen for me to experience speedwork -- it makes the heart work harder, makes the cardiovascular sytem more efficient and the muscles able to function better at full strength.

This was a mere fun run in comparison to Barbara's training regime but for me it provided one of the harder workouts I've experienced in the course of writing this column.

It's thoroughly humbling to struggle and see people twice your age running further, faster, better than you.

But if it's a good old-fashioned mix of mental determination and physical endurance you're after, then running is the pursuit you're looking for.

Don't set out and try to do it all yourself.

Join Bolton Harriers -- I guarantee you'll get a lot more than you would expect.

For more information on Bolton United Harriers and Athletic Club contact Clubhouse Manager Debbie Hales on 01204 521589. RATINGS Cardiovascular ****

Endurance ****

Strength ***

Flexibility **

Fun **

Feelgood **** PIC CAPS Ref: J886/21a I keep pace on the first part of the run but will falter as we begin to climb Ref: J886/11a Some runners don't bother with stretching but it's a mistake to skimp on this as a lack of flexibility, causes injuries and limits your muscle's power and performance