Looking for a challenge? You don't need speed to lead!

Are you looking for a challenge which can both keep you fit and help others in your local area improve their health and fitness? Could you inspire others at work, where you study or elsewhere in your community with your passion?

Whether you'd like to set up a 'School Run' group after dropping the kids off, a lunch break group at your work place, or if you're a member of a group, such as a beginner's group at an athletics club, and you fancy doing that little bit more to support your group - qualifying as a group leader could be for you!

Fitness fanatic Nell McAndrew (pictured below right) qualified as a Run England group leader in 2012 prior to the London Olympics and Paralympics as running is her passion and she wanted to inspire more people to experience all the benefits it offers. She has run some impressive times, completing the 2012 Virgin London Marathon in well under three hours! But Nell is an exception - you don't need speed to lead!

You don’t need speed to lead!

The only attribute you need to become a group leader is a passion to help others achieve. If you already run, you don't even need that much free time as you could replace your runs with group sessions. LiRF costs are very reasonable and what's more, due to funding from Sport England there could well be an opportunity to sit the course at a heavily subsidised rate if not for free near you!

If you are already part of a running group why not train to support your existing leader and gain some new skills along the way? Leadership allows you to be challenged in supporting people with various goals and aspirations and gives you the buzz of satisfaction when you help someone reach their goal, whether it be running their first mile non-stop or helping them develop the confidence to enter an event for charity.

Support and Benefits for Registered Group Leaders

Leaders who run a group in accordance with your Leadership in Running Fitness qualification and hold an up to date DBS (formerly CRB) check can access a variety of benefits and support free of charge:

• Groups can be created anywhere – in a workplace, local community, via friends, or in association with an athletics club. A running group can act as a source of revenue to you or an organisation you work with. All registered groups are publicised on Run England’s Group Finder map runengland.org/groups
• Access to wide range of online resources for group leaders via the Group Leader Area of the Run England website:

1. Downloadable promotional materials including leaflets, posters, images and logos
2. Advice on supporting disabled runners
3. Online group register facility
4. Session plans

• Our regular eLeader newsletter for Run England group leaders with information, advice and support and to make you aware of development opportunities and special offers available to group leaders

Registering your group gives your members confidence that they are running with a licensed, insured leader. By encouraging your members to join Run England they too can access news, info and offers. You can also access additional support via local staff where appropriate.

England Athletics works with affiliated athletics clubs wherever possible and will Run England compliments the work that clubs do in their communities. Run England can provide clubs with a way of attracting new members into their clubs.

How to get involved

Leadership in Running Fitness (LiRF) is a one day intensive training course designed to give candidates the opportunity to develop skills in leadership within a run group. The course covers all aspects from planning and delivering a session to common injury and energy systems. LiRF is the perfect way to set you up for leadership and with continued information and advice from your local Run England staff and the Run England website leading a running group could not be more enjoyable.

Find out more about setting up a running group at runengland.org/leader or contact your local support staff at runengland.org/contact.