Spicing up this year’s women's only series of sporting events for a Chessington company is Melanie Chisholm – better known as Sporty Spice Mel C.

She is to be an ambassador for sporting events company Human Race, which organises the Richmond Park Women Only run in October.

When the Surrey Comet popped into the Langham Hotel in London to ask the former Spice Girl how she felt taking on the borough’s scenic running track, she confessed: “I’m actually doing the Royal Parks marathon, which is the day before – I signed up for the other one before I realised the date.”

However, sipping jasmine pearl tea and wearing a black-and-white leopard print dress, she revealed: “I feel privileged to be an ambassador for the women’s series. I think it is a wonderful thing and they are really well-organised events.

“It is important women feel comfortable to try something new, challenge themselves and achieve goals.

“I think for women it is a wonderful thing to support each other because historically women get bracketed with not supporting each other.

“There are so many positives – women enjoy it, it builds self-confidence and a healthier lifestyle.”

Although the singer will be unlikely to take part in the Richmond Park run, she will take part in a triathlon for Human Race next month.

Speaking of her preparations, Mel said: “Just make sure you are getting good stuff and enough of it.

“There has been a lot over the years to be careful with carbs, but you need the carbs for energy. I love my salt and vinegar crisps, chips and lager – I am a northern girl.

“These lovely summer nights you want to get to the pub and have a cheeky pint.”

But having hit 40 this year, she admitted: “I do feel 40 when I wake up in the mornings.”

Asked whether she resented being flung a pair of tracksuit bottoms before every appearance as a Spice Girl, she said: “I wore a dress for the Brits in 1997.

“I was happy to be in my tracksuit bottoms. I have always been sporty. I didn’t make too many fashion faux pas because Adidas is always cool, but I have become more feminine as I got older.”

Ms Chisholm is no stranger to the area. She has taken part in sporting events in Ham Lake, running along the Thames in a wetsuit, and she even recorded a song in Kingston and visited the shops.

She said: “I’m always hanging about Surrey.”

However, she had not experienced all of what Kingston High Street had to offer.

She said: “I don’t think I have ever been into Primark.

“I don’t think I’ve ever had the opportunity – it is not that I wouldn’t want to. I do like Zara and I love Nike Town and Sweaty Betty.”

Talk turns to meeting up with her other bandmates.

She said: “I’ll hopefully see a couple of the girls at the weekend.

“We always will be [close]. We shared something so unique together.

“We will always be in each others’ lives.”

She is currently working on a new album, which she expects to release next year, and will perform alongside Jools Holland in Kew Gardens on July 13.

Nick Rusling, chief executive of Human Race, said: “It is fantastic to have Melanie involved as an ambassador for our women only series.

“She took part in the Shock Absorber Women Only triathlon last year and loved it, so we are delighted she is back again this year heading up a relay team.”

There are still spaces available in the Shock Absorber Women Only triathlon at Eton Dorney on July 13 and the Women Only run in Richmond Park on October 18.

To get your place in these or any other Human Race’s other events visit humanrace.co.uk.