End of a successful year for Warwick WASPs

As the year draws to a close, the Warwick WASPs are one of a multitude of running groups across the country that have enjoyed huge success in 2011.

The Run England group was formed a couple of years ago by group leaders Sarah Stein and Jimmy Atkins.

Warwick WASPs meet every Sunday 10am at The Waterman's Pub in Hatton. The venue is situated on the canal side at Hatton Locks, in the heart of the Warwickshire countryside.

After running the group does drills and stretches, followed by a choice of pub or cafe for a coffee and bite!

The WASPs are a mixed bag of runners with various abilities and goals and the group offers a range of running groups to reflect its diversity, all of which are led by LIRF (Leadership in Running Fitness) qualified leaders. The group also benefits from UKA qualified coaches and tutors.

There is no charge to run with the WASPs, but the group leaders do ask that all runners join Run England (for free).

Some of the groups success stories include Gemma, who went from finishing a 5k in the autumn, to the great achievement of completing the London Marathon in spring 2011.

Another is Sara, who has progressed so well that she has been directed to her local affiliated athletics clubs who she now competes for. Sara does however still enjoy her Sunday runs with the WASPs.

On the evening of 16th December the WASPs had their Christmas run - running from pub to pub, in kit, handing out flyer's, and finishing with fish 'n' chips!

Next year the group plans to have its first WASP trip abroad, to run the Amsterdam Marathon & Half.

Find out more about the Warwick WASPs on the group's web page or search for 'Warwick Wasps' on Facebook.