“As kids we run because it’s fun, as adults we decide we hate it and don’t do it. We’ve taken the joy out of it.”

These are the words of Learn to Run founder Mary McLellan, 43, from Watford. She manages a running group that takes place all across Hertfordshire that doesn’t take itself too seriously.

“Our motto at learn to run is Run, Breathe, Believe and No Woman Ever Left Behind. We are a female led company with female coaches and we’re really different because we take people who do absolutely no running and we get them up to five kilometres, 10km or a half marathon depending on how far they follow through.”

The running group works closely with Mencap to boost their charity fundraising runs, such as the 10km in Cassiobury Park on Monday.

“When Mencap has a race we encourage our ladies to take the skills they’ve learnt with us and enter.”

Mary founded the organisation after a bad experience with a running group at the age of 17 followed her into adulthood and a career as a fitness coach.

“I was an athlete in school but I never won anything. My coach said to me it was because I was too overweight. He sent me to a running group and it was the worst experience of my life. I was young and everyone else there were seasoned runner, long and lean looking.

“Don’t get me wrong they were nice people, but after the warm up they all just took off and I was running on my own. As I grew up and went on to become a fitness instructor I always remembered that experience. I always ran, but even as an adult I didn’t want to join a group because I didn’t want to have that feeling ever again, of being literally left behind.”

As well as exercising together Learn to Run also provides a lot of team building and education, with a variety of topics including how to choose a sports bra.

“For us it is really about empowering and educating women through the medium of running. We’re not really serious, we’re not a bunch of competitive runners. We’re just about going out and running for the joy of it.

“That’s why I like Mencap so much. They’re just trying to give people a bit of joy, people who might be in stressful situations and people caring for others. Our ethos is pretty close.”