Chasing Laces – Voices from the Running Scene by Arthur Knaggs
Sarah
Sarah was thin. She wore a thick cotton shirt which hung loosely on her frame. Her trainers were muddy and well worn. At very little notice, she had agreed to make time to chat but I would have to come to the English department. She was working on a group project and didn’t have much time.
I don’t mind the recorder – if you had a camera, I’d have a problem with that but audio is fine.
Chasing Laces – Voices from the Running Scene by Arthur Knaggs
Chania
Chania sat down quietly, a slim woman with light hair. When she started speaking, her words came out in a torrent. I barely asked any questions. Each memory prompted another and her story tumbled out in a great, overwhelming rush. There was so much to say.
I started running five years ago in my early forties. In hindsight, I probably should have started in my twenties. I started because I have two children and they are both very active. My eldest, Harry has Down’s Syndrome.
Chasing Laces – Voices from the Running Scene by Arthur Knaggs
Mohammed
Mohammed was bang on time. A neat, slim man in a checked shirt, he walked up and introduced himself. As we spoke he became more animated. I noticed that his eyes shone when he smiled and he was full of humour. Early into the interview, he got up to get sugar for his coffee. He returned with six sachets and poured three into the cup. He held the last three back in reserve. He told me about his sweet tooth and joked that if he didn’t run he would definitely have diabetes. He laughed when he told me that running had saved his life, but he wasn’t being funny.
You’re not going to have my name in the book? I’m disappointed now. I’m terrible at reading books, but your book will be different. My story is going to be in it, so I’ll definitely read it.
The Phraser 