STAPLE Hill Runners have celebrated a landmark birthday.
The community running group is 10 years old and members came together to celebrate the group’s success and to raise a toast to its future on August 31 with a game of rounders in Page Park, followed by nibbles, cakes and drinks at the Bean Tree Café.
The group was founded in August 2013 by renowned local runners Helen Newberry and Stu Wilkie. Helen and Stu wanted to give people from all sections of the community, regardless of previous running experience or ability, the opportunity to enjoy running as much as they did, to feel the benefits of physical exercise and of belonging to a supportive group.
The fact that 32 members enjoyed the party was a resounding testimony to their success.
Several members who assembled on the first evening 10 years ago were present and are still running with the group.
Some of the founding members are now qualified leaders and coaches.
The group’s weekly sessions are currently attended by 25-plus runners of all abilities and are organised by a volunteer team of nine England Athletics-qualified run leaders and four England Athletics-qualified coaches, so there is always plenty of support and advice on offer to our runners.
If you are aged over 16 and would either like to give running a go or want to add more variety to your runs, and find new running companions, you will find a warm welcome at Staple Hill Runners. We offer sessions within Page Park or on short courses on the roads surrounding the park.
All sessions are under supervision of leaders and volunteer marshals, and are suitable for any ability.
You are always safe, everyone feels challenged, nobody feels left behind or left out. It is all free.
If you would like to join in, come and meet us.
We meet at the entrance of Page Park, by Teewell Hill Traffic Lights, at 6.30pm every Thursday.
For more details, read about the group at groups.runtogether.co.uk/StapleHillRunners or find us on Facebook.
We look forward to you being part of our next celebration.
Alan Cook
coach