Running groups take Putney River Run by storm

Sue Browne and Greg Sendell, both qualified group leaders in Wandsworth, recently organised the 5k Putney River Run for their running groups to take part in.

Jake Waldron, Run England Activator for South West London, started the event with a race horn at precisely 9am on the chilly Saturday morning and the runners descended across Beverley Brook Bridge and along the Putney River Thames towpath.

The first runner crossed the line in a very respectable 19 minutes and 45 seconds and from then on the runners kept coming in thick and fast! They were all part of the two Run England groups led by Sue Browne and Greg Sendell – ‘runnyhoneys’ and ‘Sendell Sports Science’. A superb 75 participants completed the 5km course.

Greg Sendell, co-race director of the event and group leader for Sendell Sports Science, said: "The first Putney 5k River Run was a great success even though the weather dealt us a 'stinker'. The juniors were particularly impressive and, with everyone rewarded with a free coffee, water, banana and chocolate, the feedback was really positive and we look forward to planning the next race next spring!"

Sue Browne, also a co-race director and group leader for runnyhoneys, said: “The 5k Putney River Run was a really rewarding race to organise, as right from the registration in the drizzle through to the prize giving, there were smiles all round. Maybe it was the fact that it was new and local, maybe it was the mix of people – including lots of children – or maybe it was the fact that we all knew that it wouldn't take too long and was for a great cause. We've had loads of good feedback and there definitely needs to be a follow up or two!”

To join runnyhoneys or Sendell Sports Science groups or find out more information on running groups in the South West of London, please contact your local Run England Activator Jake Waldron on jwaldron@englandathletics.org or 07540 704 347.