About UsFind out about us, the team at WomenRunning Together. I’m an Aussie, now living in Reno, Nevada. I compete in Regional and US National Masters Track Championships in the 1500M and 5K, and run in local 5 and 10K road and cross country races. I'm a certified ACE Personal Trainer and a former editor of National Masters News. But I wasn’t always this way. I took up jogging in my 20's to get fit. One day, running alone along the river near my home in Melbourne, a woman named Julie ran up and asked if I wanted to run with others.
Gradually, I learned how to train, what to eat before and after a workout, how to prevent injuries, what shoes to wear, and moved toward the front. Hooked, I competed for my club in cross country, road, track and field, at first in local races, then state and national championships. I became Club Secretary, wrote a newsletter, was meet director of fun runs and championship races, officiated at track meets and served on running committees. At 35, I ran in my first Australian Masters National championship and discovered the inspirational world of masters running. Wow, if you keep doing this, you can look good, be healthy and carry on racing in your 50's, 60's, 70's.... Just after turning 40, I ran in my first international meet, the 2005 World Masters Athletics championship in San Sebastian, Spain. Against some of the best women in the world, I got the Bronze Medal in the 5K, running a personal best of 17:29, beyond my wildest dreams. Speaking of dreams I eventually got a gold ring from the man I met there, my husband Larry Barnum (800m world champion).
I began this website to share my knowledge and passion for running, to promote women’s running, our relationships, our achievements and hopefully inspire other women to run. Feel free to send comments, ask questions or offer feedback. I'd love to hear your running stories. We’re in this together. Let's support each other and promote and celebrate women running together. Thanks for visiting. Carmel Papworth-Barnum
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Hello, my name’s Carmel and I’m addicted to running. Okay, maybe passionate, or at least a little obsessive, about it. I run about 6-7 times a week and go through withdrawals if I miss too many days. 
So at 26, I joined the Richmond Harriers, a 95 year old Running Club. I was pretty slow, out of shape, and even teased about my stride. I ran at the back of the pack and developed new friends. 
Running has truly changed my life. It’s given me confidence and strength to take on challenges, opportunities to travel my country and the world and the chance to meet interesting and amazing people. It’s given me deep and lasting friendships like Julie and the love of my life!
