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“There was a large group of us on the night. Those interested in speed and stats made their way to the front, where I happily stayed towards the back of the group, marvelling at how strangers were clapping and cheering us on as we ran down the middle of London's Regent Street. It was electrifying - and I’m not just talking about our neon-bright tees. I saw London in a completely fresh way and felt part of something bigger than myself.”

“Once I got to the meeting point though, there was a palpable energy and camaraderie in the group. People were friendly and approachable. Staff handed out electric-lime green shirts for the run - a great equaliser, as it turns out - and I borrowed a pair of trainers. Within minutes, I was chatting to several people, seasoned runners and first-timers alike.”

“But when I arrived at the bar, the ruse was up. I found a group of 30 other runners standing on the outside patio, and they looked just like they had on Instagram: impossibly happy, athletic, and apparently already friends with each other. I mentally prepared myself to stand alone in a corner, pretend-texting on my phone and scoping out different escape routes.”