“You’re never too old to start your running journey” is the message for those who are thinking about heading out to work up a sweat for the first time.
Biddulph Running Club said it had received “absolutely loads” of responses ahead of the start of its latest “New 2 Running” six-week course, which starts next Monday (10th September).
Club coaches will guide newbies “from zero to 5k”, beginning their journey to fitness with positive social aspects.
Running club committee member Robbie Burns, responsible for its social media, has been monitoring the responses from interested parties.
He said he had only been running for a year or so and believed there were others who would realise how beneficial it was once they started.
Ahead of the latest course, he said: “We’ve had absolutely loads of responses, lots of messages from people.
“A lot of people are anxious and stuff because they’re worried they’ll be too slow. So I’ve reassured people that everyone is in the same boat.
“Two or three have said they are in their 50s but you can start running at any age.”
He said people wanted to take it up because of the social aspect as well as health and fitness.
“It gets them out of the house, and gets them chatting to people,” he said.
Mr Burns added: “Communities have changed over the years, haven’t they? Running can bring people together. I’m from Tunstall and it’s quite nice to socialise with people from Biddulph.
“There’s obviously the health reasons too. People have said about losing weight. I’ve lost over two stones since I started running a year and a half ago, so it’s been a bonus for me.”
Mr Burns started exercising to boost his mental health during lockdown, and started training at home because of his weight but then he injured his arm.
Then when he could, he did his first Saturday morning Park Run.
“I just loved it and I just got addicted to it. You get the bug for it. After two or three months I just got really involved with it. You start looking at your times. You’re competing against yourself, really.”
He added: “I’m 37 but I know a lot of people who have been in touch about New two Running are older than me. You’re never too old to take up running.”
He said people older than him had gone from strength to strength.
“We’ve got a chap in the club who had a big health scare in his 40s and he joined the Need 2 Run and since then he has run a half marathon, he’s ran a marathon and he’s going to sign up to run an ultra marathon.”
The latest course started last Tuesday at 6.30pm at Halls Road Park.
It runs on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6.30pm for six weeks, plus one weekend run either solo or with others on the course.
It costs £26 including a running pack with a training plan and advice, and full club membership.
(Photo: Robbie Burns).
