Surprising highs of running into mates

Through running, I've made so many new friends over the years - and we have a lot more in common than our love of racing. Running generally comes hand in hand with a passion for the environment, health and helping others.

- By Kevin Webber

There's no snobbery, either, about who is the best. Just being a runner at any level is enough to make you equals.

Last week I was out on a hard training run that started in torrential rain and had me wearing my waterproof for the first time in ages. About 12 miles in, I was gasping for air up a steep hill, oblivious to the fact the sun was now shining, until I spotted a guy wearing no T-shirt, who made me realise I was quite hot in my wet weather gear. Then we both did a double take, realising we'd actually met on a train earlier in the year.