What Our Members Think

Since joining Team Caterpillar I have made some wonderful friends and my passion for running has been made stronger by these people.

When we go out running there is always a lot of laughs the occasional naff joke (sorry Jim AKA the Flash),  but above all of that we have fun and with that we all meet our personal goals thanks to Dionne & the team.

This group has given me a new lease of life. My confidence has grown and I’m finally smiling a real smile. 

The support that this group gives is just amazing. I no longer dread fitness I actually enjoy it. It’s made me a happier more calm person, which is benefiting family life too. I have made new friends that I am forever grateful for 

  Team Caterpillar has been such an important thing in my life recently as even though I may not be the best runner, it is an escape where I can learn to run and help clear my head whilst meeting amazing people and having great conversations.

The members of Team Caterpillar are what makes it so special because the group encompasses such a diverse range of people - all ages, abilities, lifestyles, professions. 

The group has members who are starting out on their Couch to 5k journey right through to members preparing for marathons and all of these members and their goals are valued equally. 

Having only been a member for a year I can already honestly say that I have made friends who will be friends for life. Team Caterpillar is a true Run Together group because equal emphasis is placed on being together as on running. The group fosters a supportive atmosphere that transcends running and spills over into the everyday lives of its members. At Team Caterpillar there is always someone there to listen, advise, console or celebrate. Dionne has created an environment where everyone is welcome and everyone is important and that gives its members the confidence to chase running goals we may otherwise never have dreamed possible 

After an illness and a disastrous GNR I vowed never to run again! And then in January 2020 I noticed an item on Facebook , 

Team Caterpillar! Offering C25K training and after a little bit of hesitation I went along! And while I might not of fallen in love with running, I certainly like it more than I ever have! 

I have learnt so much from Dionne . But perhaps the best thing about Team Caterpillar is the ethos that you are part of the team, no matter how good ( or bad) you are all equals. Everyone supports each other , every triumph is celebrated, every disaster worked through!

Even through lockdown everyone was supported!  Team Caterpillar is a community that welcomes everyone, no matter what level of runner you are.

Joining this group of people who love running is the best thing I have done in many, many years.

Run by fantastic coaches Dionne Torkington-Craven and Beki Bulmer, this is a great bunch of people to share time and interests with.

I joined just over 6 months ago at the age of 61. I was unfit, overweight and desperately needed some direction in my life. Since joining, I have never looked back.  Everyone is given encouragement and help irrespective of ability or age and the running sessions are well organised and so much fun. 

Since joining I have lost a lot of weight, accomplished my 5k and 10k graduation runs and I am now training to get fitter and quicker and improve my times. I have been helped at every stage by Dionne who goes to amazing lenghts to encourage and train everyone in the group. Also I have met and made friends with fantastic people in the Caterpillar family. 

Thanks for all the help, effort and time you have given me.

Jim McGinness (The Flash)

What does Team Caterpillar mean to me? I joined during lock down as I had done a few park runs. I didn’t know what to expect as I had never joined a running team before. 

I was welcomed by everyone. I love the ethics of Team Caterpillar, to have fun, to socialize and to educate.  

"No one gets left behind" what a wonderful motto.  I can’t say how much I am enjoying my running at the moment, I struggle but I am never fearful, I’ve pushed myself beyond my comfort zone and boy it feels good. Strong body strong mind. Thankyou Team Caterpilla

I joined Team Caterpillar in January 2020 starting their Couch to 5k group.  I had done a bit of running on my own but wanted some help to learn how to pace myself and build on distance.

The group was fun and friendly, Dionne was a great coach helping all of us start our running journey. 

Lockdown could've stalled my progress but with the online support I built from 5k to 10k.

Since then with the friend's I've made in the team I've reached my half marathon goal running virtual GNR in September.

I would never have gotten this far if it wasn't for Dionne and all the Caterpillars, this is a fun, social group with people of all abilities who give great advice, support and love to cheer each other on and I'm glad to be a part of it.

In January I couldn’t run to the end of the road!  I was introduced to team caterpillar while half way through C25K. 

What a difference it makes running with a group! Due to family commitments I don’t get out with the group nearly often enough, but with their virtual help and encouragement I’ve got up to 10k+. 

 The best part is I’d never met any of the group (other than one) and I’ve been welcomed and encouraged by everyone! I’d recommend Team Caterpillar to anyone.

When asked what does Team Caterpillar mean to me I used to think it was just a group of people who go out and run. Back in January I decided that I would become one of those people who joined a group and go out and run.   So I joined Team Caterpillar, who I found were not just a group of people, they were supportive and inspiring and they have also become my friends. 

I started out thinking I’d never be able to complete a run never mind a C25k, I have now gone on to complete almost a 10k run with the support from everyone in the group(whom I’m so thankful to) because without them I would have given up. Thank you Dionne and the rest of the Caterpillars.  Here’s to the future and see what else Team Caterpillar can do 

Having taken up running about 3years l got the bug and noticed many runners l saw wearing Team Caterpillars tops and were always so friendly. 

This inspired me to find out more about the group and what a group love the ethos as everyone is accepted whatever level you are, and encouraged and support from everyone, and most of all having a laugh and enjoying running and getting fitter with it. 

So pleased l joined and Dionne your energy and ideas for the group inspire us all and all have achieved so much and plenty more to achieve. Thank you Dionne and the Caterpillars you are amazing. Tx

Team Caterpillar is everything you could ask for in a running group; it’s fun and friendly, well organised and isn’t taken too seriously. 

Dionne (a founder of Team Caterpillar) is a fantastic coach who will give you advice whether you’re a casual or avid runner, she is a very friendly, approachable and a fun person to be around.

It caters for all abilities so you don’t need to feel nervous about joining because it is a supportive group who encourages everyone to reach their goals. My running has improved since I joined Team Caterpillar so I feel more confident and the social aspect of it gives you the opportunity to make friends and meet like-minded people which makes it so much more enjoyable. Running was a bit of a chore and more of an effort for me before joining. I couldn’t recommend the Group highly enough