London Frontrunners encourage more female runners with women's 5k

London Frontrunners is England’s oldest and biggest LGBT running club. For International Women’s Day 2016, they launched a series of women's 5k runs on Saturday mornings in the picturesque surroundings of Hyde Park.

These runs are for women who identify as LGBT and who are looking for a group of like-minded individuals to run with. The 5k runs are suitable for all levels, from complete beginners to athletic sprinters with the aim of someone in the club able to run with anyone no matter what their speed or experience.

The club, which celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2015, organises five runs per week all over central London as well as cross country and trail runs. With a membership of nearly 500 people, they are actively looking to increase their female membership, and to bring the LGBT community closer together, forming long-lasting friendships and fostering a sense of team spirit and discipline through sport.

Jen Kerrison, the club’s co-President, remembers her first run with London Frontrunners. "I ambled up on a cold winter’s morning and was a little bit nervous about how I’d go, but the nerves evaporated as I came across the friendliest bunch of people I’d yet met in London! I was definitely the slowest runner that day, and often, seven years later, still am!  But I’ve made some great friends and had so many adventures with the Frontrunners. We have domestic and international running trips, we participate in races as a group and I must confess that the great socials may, once or twice, have been the cause of a missed Sunday run!"

Hannah Groom agrees. A relative newbie (having joined London Frontrunners seven months ago), she has taken on an active role as a committee member this year. One of the run leaders on a Saturday morning, she says: "I would definitely encourage more women to join London Frontrunners. Running is one of those sports that you can do anywhere, all you really need is a pair of trainers and the will to do it. I'm not a running junkie, but I really look forward to the evening runs as they help me stay fit and there is always a fantastic group of men and women to socialise with afterwards! I can't recommend Frontrunners enough to any women who want to exercise (not matter what level of fitness) and meet new LGBT and LGBT-friendly people."

The next women’s 5k run will be held on 2nd April 2016.

For more information, head to the London Frontrunners website, Facebook or email publicity@londonfrontrunners.org


 
Photo: Club coach Manue (left) and ex-President Helen Keeley (right)
are keen runners and have been an integral part of
London Frontrunners for over four years.
They are seen here along with club member Chris (centre)
at the Pride Run 10k, an annual race organised
by the club every August in Victoria Park.