Grace Mackintosh Sim is paying it forward. As well as being a strong runner herself, she uses her artistic talents to capture the excitement of the sport in her paintings, and also coaches juniors at her running club

WORDS: LISA JACKSON

INSPIRATION

Grace (centre) and running friends

When I packed my stuff for university I wondered if there was any point in taking my sports kit”, says Grace Mackintosh Sim, 35, from London. “I wasn’t sure there’d be many opportunities for running while making the most of student life.

“I’d been involved with running since I was a teenager. I joined Excel Gosford running club as part of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, aged just 13. But back then I had no idea how much enjoyment I’d get from running over the years. Luckily I did pack my tracksuit as I was soon persuaded to take part in the Fresher’s Fun Run by a student holding two Mars bars and a poster proclaiming: ‘Running: Eat this! Look like this!’

“I also joined the Cambridge University Athletics Club, and Cambridge University Hare and Hounds, a crosscountry running club that’s one of the oldest running clubs in the world. I was extremely fortunate to be in the team at the same time as Julia Bleasdale, Emma Pooley and Claire Hallissey, who’ve all since gone on to become Olympic athletes. It was inspirational to be in such a talented group.