Running Society Spotlight

Simon Rollet de Fougerolles, Running Society President, BA Economics and Politics  09/12/2024

No Human is Limited 

 “No human is limited”. This famous quotation from the Kenyan marathoner Eliud Kipchoge epitomises the ethos of the sport: running is a universal act, potentially the simplest sport and definitely the purest. No ball, no goals, no team, no equipment, no subscriptions, memberships, or pitch bookings needed, just your lungs and legs working together to keep your body in movement. Personally, my passion for running only started last year, being involved in sports for as long as I can remember. I always discounted running as boring and failed to enjoy it. However, it clicked for me one day and I couldn’t go back. It combined the feelings of going for a nice walk and appreciating your surroundings, having a good think, or not thinking at all, with the unmatchable feeling of getting a sweat on and getting your heartbeat going. Ever since then, running has become an essential tool for me, helping me to manage emotions, offering a platform to travel and see new parts of the world, and socially, strengthening friendships and creating new ones.  

 Building a Community Through the SOAS Running Society 

 The SOAS Running Society is a collective of people who share this same interest, who like running, or who want to like running. Its founder and dear friend, Oscar Stapleton, reflected on its origins: “When I moved to London, I was overwhelmed. Running was the constant, the thing I had always done—it helped me settle in and feel comfortable.” Then a second-year student studying International Relations and Arabic, Oscar founded the society in 2020, citing its “potential to connect people from all walks of life.” He added, “Wherever I’ve gone, I’ve found people passionate about running. Through the society, I made friends and aimed to bring others together.” 

Since the start of the academic year, we’ve been working hard to attract new members and offer a variety of sessions suited to all levels and experiences. Some of our highlights include weekly social runs through Regent’s Park and up to Primrose Hill. Afterwards, we gather for a well-earned drink at the Student Union bar—whether it’s a pint or some electrolytes.  

 Masters student Samantha shared her thoughts: “The Running Society has given me the chance to meet amazing people. Everyone is inclusive and supportive, no matter your pace.

Collaborations and Opportunities (Past and Future) 

 In addition to social runs amongst ourselves, we have collaborated with the LSE Running Society, attending track sessions at Paddington Recreation Ground. These sessions have proven to be gruelling yet rewarding, allowing us to improve our speed as well as socialising with fellow runners from a different university.  

 One of our proudest achievements this year was our collaboration with SOAS Men’s Football. I and five other teammates from the football team took on the challenge of running the Victoria Park Half Marathon in October with the objective of raising funds for the Gaza Sunbirds, a para-cycling team based in the Gaza Strip, who, since the conflict have distributed almost $300,000 of humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza. For all of us bar one, this would be the first time we had run this distance. 21.1 kilometres later, with the support of friends, family, and the SOAS community, we raised £1,500 for the Sunbirds.  

 In the future, the Running Society is interested in continuing to use sport as a tool for fundraising and activism. We hope to have more participants completing more events to raise funds for a variety of causes. Another exciting development is the potential for SOAS runners to compete in London Universities and College Athletics (LUCA) for the first time in our history. LUCA hosts regular cross-country fixtures as well as the indoor and outdoor athletics championships for universities across London and the south of England. This presents an opportunity for those seeking competitive running with the chance to represent SOAS at a regional level! 

Exploring the World with Haraka Baraka 

 Finally, it’s worth highlighting the Running Society’s involvement with Haraka Baraka. Translating from Arabic as “movement is a blessing”, Haraka Baraka is a sports tourism brand founded by two SOAS students, the aforementioned Oscar and our Treasurer Sébastien Fromageot. They offer group running adventures in stunning locations such as Morocco’s Atlas Mountains and the deserts of Jordan. These trips provide SOAS Runners with a unique opportunity to experience different cultures and landscapes in the Middle East and North Africa through the lens of running. It’s an unforgettable blend of physical challenge, cultural immersion, and adventure. Keep an eye out for updates on future trips! 

 Join Us! 

If any of this resonates with you, we’d love for you to get involved! Follow us on Instagram @soasrunners for updates or join our WhatsApp group (link available on Instagram). Whether you’re a seasoned runner or just starting out, we look forward to welcoming you into our community and sharing our passion for running!

Here is the link for the Haraka Baraka website and Instagram: https://www.harakabaraka.co.uk/ @harakabaraka.trips