West Berkshire Run England wins award

West Berkshire Run England was recently awarded Get Berkshire Active Health Project of the Year Award 2015.

Sponsored by Intelligent Health, the event recognised 300 unsung heroes for their contribution to sport and physical acitivity in Berkshire. The awards included categories such as Youth Engagement Project and Club of the Year.

West Berkshire Run England offers an opportunity for new and current runners to participate in a weekly running group in a fun and social environment. The project targets non-runners, who are encouraged to take part by the committed volunteers. All running sessions are free to attend due to the volunteers giving up their own time. The project has encouraged over 200 new runners to attend sessions within it’s first year. All participants are encouraged to progress onto more challenging runs such as Park Run, Race for Life and 10k races.
 
Graham Jones, West Berkshire Council's executive member for Health and Wellbeing said; 'The programme was set up in January 2015 by the Council’s Public Health and Wellbeing Team to target inactive and beginner level runners in West Berkshire, there are now five regular groups in Newbury and Thatcham. The groups are delivered by our fully trained volunteer Run Leaders. We aim to include everyone and have organised runs in which deaf, visually impaired and people with mild mental health conditions can take part.'

Other new groups recently added to the programme include a series of Race for Life training sessions.

Zoe Campbell, the Council’s Physical Activity Coordinator said “Our runners have a great deal of fun, making new friends and getting to know their local area. Our programme provides an ideal opportunity to be more active for free. It is due to the devotion of our volunteer Run Leaders week after week, that it has been possible.”

The Run England sessions are a great way to meet new people, make friends and enjoy the outdoors whilst improving your fitness. The sessions are fun, friendly and free of charge, taking place in parks and open spaces. They're suitable for complete beginners or those who've been inactive for a while – the only requirement is to wear comfortable clothing, turn up and join in.

Qualified Run Leaders are on hand at each session to offer advice, support, feedback and to help you progress whilst you learn to adopt the best techniques for success.

So if you would like to start running visit www.westberks.gov.uk/runengland