Try Running... with an international marathon runner

To celebrate the end of their ten week course, members of the Bedale and Aiskew - Try Running group were joined on their run by former Great Britain marathon runner Darran Bilton. The course has been a great success in Bedale and has helped enable a group of twelve non-runners achieve their aim of being able to run over 5km.

Group leader Jo Richardson said: "It has been really satisfying to see the improvement in the group over the ten weeks and to be able to share in their sense of achievement. Not only have their fitness levels improved but it was great to see members having fun, making friends and offering support to each other."

Following their run, the Try Running group joined up with members of Bedale and Aiskew Runners for a supper and to listen to a short talk by Darran Bilton based on his vast experience gained as an athlete and coach. As manager of Harrogate Up & Running Darran also opened up a mini Up & Running shop at the club house for all to enjoy a bit of shopping and get kitted out in running gear. A member of the running club had created and played a varied and enjoyable play list of motivational running linked music as background music for the evening.

On Saturday 20th April the group plan to run the Darlington Southpark Parkrun and enjoy a hot chocolate together afterwards! Some are also planning to run Race for Life 5Ks in the summer to raise money for cancer charities.

Some final words from Bedale and Aiskew - Try Running member Lorraine Gunnell: "I am 52-year-old Grandma who is new to running. I have not done any sporting activity for a long time and I decided to take up running to try and get fit and I am thoroughly enjoying it, I wish had started years ago! The beginners' group I have joined are very well matched and we all get on really well. I was a little bit anxious before I started but needn’t have been as everybody was in the same boat. At the moment we are planning our first parkrun and I am looking forward to taking part. I am quite proud of myself and feel a great sense of achievement."

If you would like to find out more about Bedale & Aiskew Try Running group then why not search for them using the Run England Group Finder tool where you can find out information of all Run England groups.