Run Kent workshops full of surprises!

Recent workshops for group leaders and running groups in Kent were not only hugely successful but also included a couple of surprises making them even more memorable.

A group leader workshop saw 23 leaders from Kent benefit from the insight of three group leaders (namely Liza Mciver-Hall from Run off your feet, Stephanie Howard from East Kent College Runners and Steve Grantham from Coxheath Running Club) who talked about how they set up their groups.

The leaders also got a chance to participate in an outdoor coaching session led by David Weekes, Head Coach at Folkestone Running Club, and to finish off the day, they were introduced to the benefits of England Athletics’ new fitness programme AthleFIT.

However, the big surprise of the day was when Run England Area Coordinator Louise Milne made a surprise visit to present the Run Kent Project with the 2013 Run England Project of Year Award for the South East Region!

Lucy Tomlinson, Running Activator for Kent, who was taken aback by the surprise visit, said: “The Run Leaders have been key to our success and they deserve full recognition for all their hard work and commitment to getting people running in Kent.”

On the workshops, Lucy said: “These workshops are just one of the ways we support our Run Leaders in Kent and they always prove very popular. They’re an opportunity for leaders to network, share ideas and develop their skills and knowledge so that they continue to do such a great job at encouraging people to get running.”

Run Ramsgate masterclass with Tim Prendergast

They’ve been busy in Kent recently as in addition to the group leader workshop, members of Run England group ‘Run Ramsgate’ were treated to a masterclass session led by Tim Prendergast – the middle distance track athlete from New Zealand who has competed in category T13 in four Paralympics – 2000, 2004, 2008 and 2012!

The session was organised by Clare Bell, group leader at Run Ramsgate, through her work with the Dame Kelly Holmes Legacy Trust ‘Give Back to Sport’ programme, and it was a huge hit with the Run Ramsgate members. Tim has been involved with the DKH Legacy Trust since its inception and he has also worked on programmes such as Get On Track, Sport for Change, Sporting Champions and has participated in numerous Give Back activities which have helped to raise the profile of the Trust.

Clare said: “It was a great honour to welcome Tim and his vast knowledge and experience to lead our running group for the evening. Our members plus the entrants to the upcoming Thanet Coastal 5K and 10K races turned out in excited anticipation for a power packed hour that left each and every one of them invigorated and full of renewed enthusiasm for running. Tim also shared many new tips and ideas on both fitness and nutrition. We all wish Tim the best for his new sporting challenges.”

As the local ambassador for the DKH Legacy Trust, Clare is currently mentoring a young person who has completed the Get on Track programme in Thanet – helping them to be the Event Director for Thanet Coastal 5K & 10K events.

Starting at Baypoint Leisure Centre, Sandwich, on Saturday 2 November at 11am, the runs will follow a picturesque, flat route through the Pegwell Bay nature reserve along the Thanet coastline. The runs are open to all abilities and welcome families, walkers, joggers and runners!  All proceeds will go direct to the DKH Legacy Trust and will fund projects for young people in Kent.

You still have a chance to meet Tim Prendergast and participate in his warm up session at the start of the 5K and 10K runs.  Just enter the event online at runbritain.com. For more information about the DKHLegacy Trust and their programmes, please visit www.dkhlegacytrust.org. Click here to enter the Thanet Coastal 5K and 10K events.

If you’d like to join a local beginner friendly running group in Kent, like Run Ramsgate, please visit: runengland.org/groups. If you’d like to get involved in the Run Kent Project as a group leader or would just like some more information on running groups in Kent, please contact Lucy Tomlinson at lucy.tomlinson@kent.gov.uk or visit kentsport.org/run. Follow Run Kent on Twitter @GetKentRunning.