October news
Our new “BetterTogether” campaign
RunTogether means different things to many of you. This is hardly surprising when RunTogether offers fun, friendships, support, inclusivity: as well as running opportunities (whatever your ability and time availability) of course!
And while we will continue to say “we believe running / jogging is more fun and easier to become part of your lifestyle when shared with others”; we feel we need to better communicate just how much RunTogether supports you and with messages that you and newcomers to RunTogether can relate to.
With this in mind, our new “BetterTogether” campaign, recently launched in social media, is designed to highlight the key benefits and values of RunTogether; and in doing so help communicate how social group running can help us all in our daily and different lifestyles.
However we haven’t found it easy to choose which messages we share, so if you and your group colleagues would like to share any thoughts for future phases, please let us know via hello@englandathletics.org
In the meantime, we hope you like the campaign and in particular:
#AllTogether #ActiveTogether #AchieveTogether #FitterTogether
#SelfcareTogether #LaughTogether #MoveTogether #SupportTogether
#MorningsTogether #EveningsTogether
How healthy feet can mean faster times
What do you look for when buying a new pair of trainers? The biggest brands? The newest releases? Your favourite colour? Choosing the right shoes can actually play a critical role in injury prevention and overall performance.
Our partners at DW Fitness First understand the importance of picking the perfect pair of shoes, which is why all DW Sports stores have gait analysis machines to assist in recommending the right shoes for you.
Top tips for treating feet
- You need to think about where you run when choosing your shoes. Whether you prefer running on tracks or trails, the type of footwear you’re wearing needs to be fit for purpose.
- Introduce a foot exercise routine before you go to bed. Gentle circular movements are all it takes to loosen up your feet. Another great exercise is to roll a tennis ball under the arch of the foot slowly, helping to increase the strength of the muscles and ligaments around the midfoot.#
- After a run, rest from all activity and soak your feet in an Epsom salt foot bath. Epsom salts have great anti-inflammatory properties and can help with muscle tension. It’s also a brilliant way to relax after a tough run.#Clean your running shoes regularly, especially if you have run a particularly wet or muddy trail. This will give your shoes a longer life span as well as reducing the risk of smelly shoes!
Run Leader guidance
Run Leader guidance is available to help RunTogether groups to attract and support more disabled people in running. The guidance includes information about terminology, adapting activities, practical considerations, making reasonable adjustments, positive behaviour and more. The guidance supports Run Leaders to do what they do best and make feel people welcomed, challenged and supported.
Record year for #RunAndTalk
Back for the fourth year, our annual week-long #RunAndTalk campaign is getting bigger and better each year – this year being a record year with a total of 294 runs delivered throughout the week! Click here to read about one of the successful runs in Manchester.
#RunAndTalk is aimed at breaking down stigmas associated with mental health and improving mental health and wellbeing through exercise and running.
The perfect getaway this winter
Whether you want to train in warmer conditions or you simply want to relax in the Lanzarote sun, Club La Santa in Lanzarote is the perfect resort for a winter holiday. Our active holiday partner Sports Tours International have kindly given you a discount code for the world’s number one active holiday resort Club La Santa in Lanzarote. There’s over 80 free sports for you to try and there’s something for all the family to enjoy regardless of your age and ability. Click the button below to get your discount code and to find out why winter holidays at Club La Santa are so popular.
Enertor announced as Official Insole Partner of RunTogether
With over 20 years of experience in injury prevention and pain reduction, helping premier league footballers, Tour de France winners and Olympic champions, British brand, Enertor®, devote their time and energy every day to helping runners of all ages, shapes and sizes stay pain and injury free through their outstanding shock absorbing insoles. Click here to read more. Enertor are offering all RunTogether Run Leaders and Runners 25% off their orders. Just use code EA2519.
More RunTogether Groups and Leaders recognised at England Athletics Volunteer Awards
We were able to announce some of our Regional winners last month and now we can congratulate the rest as all presentations have taken place.
East Midlands - Group: Mansfield Runners, Leader: Kathryn Hall (Abington Park Joggers)
click here to read their stories
London - Group: Run with Andy, Leader: Andy Raju
click here to read their stories
North West - Group: GMCR Runners, Leader: Shelby Williams
click here to read their stories
South East - Group: So Let’s Go Running, Leader: Sue Bennett
click here to read their stories
And HUGE congratulations to Shelby Williams and So Let's Go Running who won the national awards recently - click here to read about our Hall of Fame and National Volunteer Awards evening.
Unsung heroes of the month
Congratulations St Cuthberts Champions Group, you are DW Fitness First’s October Group of the Month!
Nominated by runner Faye, who got in touch to tell us about the amazing community in this group. Led by Run Leader Kay who works at a local hospice, they meet every Wednesday evening, and their group is named after the hospice where the runs start from. The group combines staff from the hospice, friends of friends, runners who have found their group by visiting the RunTogether website, as well as those who have got in touch via social media. Faye goes on to tell us that ‘the group is inclusive with a range of ages and abilities and no one ever gets left behind.’ Many friendships have been built from this group with some going on to complete amazing challenges, such as races, half marathons and even triathlons! Faye tells us that ‘many of us in the group were adamant we hated running’ until they joined the group, with many of the members having built confidence in their own abilities and a new found passion for sport. The group is focussed on the importance of both physical and mental wellbeing. This fun, safe and supportive group are why they are worthy winners of the DW Fitness First October GOTM title.
Congratulations once again, you have won one pair of trainers from the Adidas Solar range courtesy of DW Fitness First.
To nominate a Group for the chance to WIN, email support@runtogether.co.uk and don’t forget to include photos.
Congratulations Mark Hurst (of MadRunners group), you are DW Fitness First’s October Run Leader of the Month!
Nominated by both Lee and Laura, runners of the group, we could not leave the efforts of Mark unrecognised this October! Mark is a Mental Health Ambassador, Run Leader Mentor, Coach in Running Fitness qualified, Group Leader and Run Leader. Lee emailed us to say, ‘Mark, ably assisted by his wife, Debbie, run this group with the most enthusiasm I have seen, Mark is a superb athlete that leads by example but he also has so much time and commitment to every single runner at our club’. Lee goes on to explain that the group offers a safe and secure environment with all different levels training together, with the help and support of Mark, the sessions are varied and fun with different routes and distances. Laura describes Mark as an ‘absolute inspiration’ who work ‘tirelessly to keep the sessions different, challenging and catering for all abilities’. It is clear that Mark is a fantastic leader and great support to his group as Lee said ‘he spares no effort in encouraging, motivating and organising each person and will tailor the sessions to each individual's needs’. Recently MadRunners participated in a 24 hour running event which was made up of two teams of seven runners, despite Mark suffering an injury and unable to complete the event, his motivation and encouragement both day and night meant that the group were able to successfully complete the event with Laura going on to say that ‘we could not have done it without Mark’s organisation and support’. Mark completely embodies the values of a RunTogether Leader and his clear commitment and passion for supporting his group is why he is the DW Fitness First’s Run Leader of the Month!
Mark has won a pair of trainers from the Adidas Solar range courtesy of DW Fitness First.
To nominate your Run Leader for the chance to WIN, email support@runtogether.co.uk and don’t forget to include photos.