Run England Group of the Year leading free community running groups for absolute beginners

Fen Edge Runners operate ‘pop up' beginners' running groups in a number of different villages in Cambridgeshire, often linked to local schools.

Fen Edge Runners community-based running groups are for those who have never run before and are part of progressive programmes that feed into the main Fen Edge Runners club sessions.

The Club won the England Athletics National Volunteer Award for Run England Group / Leader of the Year 2015. Qualified Run Leaders Tom Johnston and Luke Renouf collected the award at the England Athletics Hall of Fame gala evening last October.

The beginner sessions are all provided by Club members Tom and Luke and other LiRF qualified leaders on a voluntary basis, and are aimed at local villages that have limited provision for sport and exercise. Aimed at complete beginners, the programme builds to a 5k in 8 weeks, with regular meet-ups and 'homework' too.

The sessions are aligned with local schools such as Swavesey Village College and Cottenham Academy, and workplace groups.  These are all inclusive, no-pressure groups aimed at getting new people trying athletics. The 8 week course is free although a single donation of £10 from each participant is requested to help fund worthwhile projects for local youngsters.

"During my 3 years living in Over Village I had seen the mad lot on the green but lacked the confidence and fitness to feel as though I could join them.  But I thought it would be worth a shot, I even made some new friends in the village."

"Thank you Clare for bringing back a little of my previous life that would have been difficult, if not impossible, for me to reach on my own, your support and the flexibility you bring to the course really does mean that there are no excuses anymore.  I also have to thank Luke for actually wanting to be out in the rain and wind running less than I did and to Les who, despite being in training for the London Marathon, managed to fit in some time to come out to cajole us lot along.”

• More information at www.fenedgerunners.org.uk or look for them on Facebook  - as well as a club page, their events section shows beginner groups.
• You can also look for Run England groups all over England that might be near you at our Group Finder page: www.runengland.org/groups