Beginners’ running group a huge success for athletics club

A hugely successful running group has seen its beginners’ progress to marathon runners, group leaders and club members in the space of less than a year - and it's currently looking for members for its next course...

The Ready Steady Run course was formed through a partnership between Rugby Borough Council and Rugby & Northampton Athletics Club to encourage local women to lead a more active lifestyle.

It offers women aged 16 upwards the chance to start running with the help of trained group leaders. At the end of each course group members can take part in a local road race to test their new fitness levels.

Running from February to December each year, the course also offers members the chance to join Rugby & Northampton AC at the end of the year and continue their running with the same group leaders.

Led by Kay Shaw and Ruth Waugh, with the trusty help of Marian Allen and Angela Horley, the course is expected to be more popular than ever in 2012. Four ladies from this year’s course will take their Leadership in Running Fitness (LiRF) qualification this month so that they too can progress and help lead runners in the future.

An annual road race staged by the group is now attracting over 170 previous members from various courses and continues to raise significant amounts for local charities. The ladies start with a target of completing 5k, but the majority this year also managed to complete a 10k, with an impressive few also moving up to complete a half marathon! Two ladies have even completed a full marathon – a true testament to not only the effort put in by them, but also the motivation and knowledge passed on by the group leaders.

Group leader Ruth was hasty to add that it is not all about running around the track or roads, but that the group has fun too, competing in cross country runs ending at a tea shop for well-deserved cakes or bacon butties, as well as indoor core stability and gym ball sessions, social get togethers and relay races ‘charging around like kids again!’

One member of the group, Carolyn Dawson, said: “I just wanted to say a huge big thank you for all the help and support our group leaders have given us over the past few years, and especially over the past few months whilst helping us prepare for the Bupa Great Birmingham Run - words cannot adequately describe how much it means to know we have your support, and for the words of encouragement you give!”

The group meets every Saturday morning at 9:00am, at Rugby Athletics Track, with informal sessions from the track on Monday to Thursday.
For more information on the group, please contact Ruth Waugh on 07793 908643.