Beginner running groups key ingredient for top club’s success

Run England made the athletics news this week when the success story of new club Sedgefield Harriers – who have adopted Run England groups as a key part of their offering to the local community – was featured in Athletics Weekly magazine.

The club was set up just six years ago, but has since gone from strength to strength, winning two prestigious national awards in 2011, including the England Athletics development club of the year award at the annual Hall of Fame and Volunteer Awards.

From the club’s first meeting of 11 runners at the local Nag’s Head pub, Sedgefield Harriers have grown to amass a membership of well over 200, and 16 qualified coaches.

This has been partly down to its creation of beginner’s running groups which have attracted runners from near and far. The club is a strong supporter of Run England groups and delivered six programmes last year.

Next month will see the start of the club’s inaugural weekly 5k parkrun event which promises to be an ideal outlet for the historic market town’s beginner runners to test their new-found fitness.