A group of friends from Flintshire have formed a running group through the pandemic and are now running a charity half marathon.

The Dobshill dashers consists of a group of friends of varying running abilities.

According to group member, Nicola Eyes, the group used to take part in Park run, which takes place in parks across the country.

However, as these events were cancelled throughout the pandemic the group began to run their own local routes where restrictions allowed.

The group meet on Saturday mornings and run park routes followed by a coffee together, which non-running members of the group also join.

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Discussing the impact this had throughout the pandemic, Mrs Eyes said: “It was a way of socialising, keeping in touch whilst supporting our quest to run.”

The group is based in Penyffordd, Dobshill and Hawarden and has three 5k routes that they alternate running.

The routes follow the river in Chester then in Kinnerton and Queensferry.

The four core runners of the group are set to face the challenge of the upcoming Great North Run which is the second largest half marathon in the world.

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The event takes place on Saturday, September 10 and follows a route of over 13 miles from Newcastle to South Shields.

Mrs Eyes said: “With less than six weeks to go we are starting to feel the pressure of training and upping our mileage and staying injury free!

“But knowing we are in it together whilst supporting a range of great charities helps us to keep going.”

The runners, who are all aged between 46-53, are raising money for different charities via just giving pages.

Phil Hirst, 51, director of Power Generation Services at Black and Veatch, is running for Alzheimer’s Research UK. 

Sue Hannah, 53, safeguarding children nurse at CWP, is running for Breast Cancer Now.

Peter Arnold, 53, director of Rosebery Group, is running for Asthma Lung UK.

Nicola Eyes, 46, Chester area fundraiser, is running for Hope House Children's Hospices.