Runner Profile: Hilary Cook
Well, where to begin? My running journey is a bit like a patchwork quilt as there are bits and pieces of running throughout my life. It is only recently that it has become more dominant.
Looking at my genes, it is no surprise that I am a runner as my Dad ran for Cambridge Harriers and even carried the Olympic Torch down the A20 in Kent for the 1948 London Olympics.
Both my parents were very sporty, and I was often to be found at the side of a hockey or cricket pitch as a child. However, I didn’t inherit those natural bat and ball skills and found games difficult. Much to my mum’s horror, I was always first reserve for the hockey and netball teams. I used to love it at secondary school when it snowed as ball sports were cancelled and we had to go on a cross country run through Petts Woods. This was something I really enjoyed and excelled in. In the summer I graduated onto the 800 metres, running in school’s championships at Crystal Palace and Sutcliffe Park. Dad used to train me for my races, we would agree a route, and he would give me a head start. I think I only once got home first!
My cross-country adventures developed when I reached the sixth form and had to change schools to study the subjects of my choice. I met a girl called Jill and we shared a love of running. Any free period, we could be found running round the field. We were entered into the School’s Cross Country championships. In 1977, I was first reserve for the Kent team but ended up going. We went to Redditch in Worcestershire. I remember having to run up this very muddy, steep hill with the crematorium at the top. (Not sure if that was a sign!). The following year, I earned my place. This time it was Lincoln. Everyone told me that it was going to be flat as it was in the Fens. They lied. The course was around the golf course and up and down steep hills. It was good fun.
Once I started work, I played hockey and then got the squash bug. My running then was purely for fitness. I ran a lot round Petts Woods and later Barnehurst to improve my stamina. In 1992, I suffered a back injury, so my running was limited. I managed a bit just to keep fit for squash along with a lot of gym work.
I met my husband in 1995, but he wasn’t keen on me running, not sure why. When I had more issues with my back the orthopaedic surgeon said no more running. My husband was very happy about that, so I became a real gym bunny. I continued playing squash 3-4 times a week and was involved with club and county teams.
In 2007 my Dad died, so my Mum and I decided to do Race for Life at Chantry Park as it was nearby. I really enjoyed the experience and did it again a year later.
Roll forward to 2012, I had a knee injury caused by squash and I needed a cartilage operation. After that I decided not to go back to squash as I was lucky to have the operation and did not want to do the same thing again. So, I took up tennis but it didn’t have the same feeling as playing squash. It did not seem to push me the way that squash did. A lot of tennis is doubles and playing with better players, I felt more of a spectator than a player. I did play in club competitions and some matches.
In 2016 my husband died so I was back on my own, I had my tennis but after a game, I didn’t have that feeling that I had given it my all. Whilst working at Northgate in 2017, a man came in wearing a Cambridge Harriers jacket and we got chatting as I talked about my dad. I explained about my back injury, and he suggested I give running another go as my injury was so long ago. I completed a few track sessions without any ill effects so this was the start of my running journey part 2.
On 1st January 2018 I completed my first parkrun at Chantry Park and joined Ipswich Harriers training with the middle-distance group. There was a group of more mature ladies and we used to warm up and train together. I completed my first mile race in 2018 in London completing the Westminster Mile.
In the summer, I competed in a couple of open competitions, but the standard was too high so I graduated to competing in the Eastern Masters events. I did this for a few years. I didn’t win races but got team points. I also tried my hand at long jump, javelin and shot putt purely for points, definitely not for prizes!! I won a trophy at awards night in 2019 for supporting the club. I also completed Cross-country in blue.
However, due to covid, the races and training all stopped. I trained on my own round Chantry Park and Belstead, trying to keep my fitness.
After Covid I had moved up to the V60 age group which at that time meant less competition, I came third in the County Cross-Country Championships in 2022 at Nowton Park. I also came 3rd in the Suffolk Winter league.
I stayed at Harriers for a few more years but it meant staying late after work then going training leading to a long day so as I was now living in Felixstowe in 2023, I defected to Felixstowe Road Runners, deciding I looked better in red than blue.
Since joining Road Runners, I have participated in things that I had never done before and enjoy the social side of running. I have run in the Ediken competition, completed the 2 Rivers challenge, Run bike Run and also run and supported in the Round Norfolk relay. I have also competed in the Suffolk Road Relays with our V60 Ladies Team coming 1st in 2024 and 2nd last year.
In addition, I have started competing in Road Races purely for fun. I completed my first 10 km in 2024. I have tried to continue to do Cross-Country, however I am not sure if it’s an age thing but I have had a number of setbacks with a knee injury in the winter of 2024 and covid in the summer and not been able to complete the requisite 4 to qualify for awards.
Running with Road runners has meant that I now have running friends. In 2023 Calli put something on Facebook about a Monday morning run. As I don’t start work until 9 am on a Monday I joined in. We are still going strong every Monday and call ourselves the Monday Morning Milers.
Through this I have met other people to run with. Sally and I are trying to organise going to races together. We completed, Bungay, Newmarket and Framlingham 10 Km races last year.
Although I have struggled with time, I do enjoy the cameraderie that racing involves. I am planning to continue with 10 km and 5 mile races this year. I don’t feel brave enough progress onto half marathons.
Last year was relatively injury free but then on 28th November 2025 I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. I was very lucky to be treated promptly and it hadn’t spread. Due to the operation etc, running was put on hold. In January I asked the consultant if I could run again and she said so long as I didn’t do 5 miles!!!! I am back running now but struggling a bit due to the treatment. With the support of my running friends, I am getting back some fitness and enjoy just being part of a group, participating in Tuesday nights and some Daytime sessions.
I have entered some races for this year and hope to be fit enough to compete, things are going in the right direction at the moment. I aiming to complete the Kirton 5. This year I have targets to complete too, a 100 parkruns and 100 parkrun volunteers. Currently on 82 and 87.
I am very grateful for the opportunities and support that I have received from Felixstowe Road Runners and look forward to the coming year.
Someone who has been very supportive of me during my cancer is Gill Mellor and I would like to nominate her for next month.
