Women’s Running READERS’ CHOICE AWARDS 2020
Influencer of the year
ANNA MCNUFF
We have a very special place in our hearts for wonderful Anna McNuff. She sprang into our lives last year, when she took on that crazy run, leaping barefoot across Britain for thousands of miles, all because she wanted to experience something challenging to demonstrate to her beloved Girlguiding that adventures were there for the taking. When we first spoke to her we, like everyone who is fortunate enough to come into contact with her, were overwhelmed by her positivity, her optimism and her lovely shining face of joy. So much so that we snapped her up within minutes to write a column for this very magazine. So it is entirely expected that you wonderful lot also think she’s a keeper. Hands down, she’s your very favourite influencer, and never was a word more happily used: we love the fact that Anna influences women and girls to be more active, to enthusiastically grab life by the neck, and to keep seeking adventures in the oddest of places. This year, her adventures have taken a little bit of a swerve, as she gears up for the emergence of her and Adventureman’s very own mini McNuff. We can’t wait to meet the new addition to this brilliant family. Coming in a close second and nearly snatching another award was the ever-lovely, and also ever-enthusiastic Joe Wicks, to whom we must give special mention. He’s not a woman, and he’s not even especially a runner: but – but – he has enthused so many of us to stay active this year. That enthusiasm has gift ed him thousands of new devotees, among them so many of you, and we will be forever grateful for his PE lessons. Arise Sir Joe!