RUNNERS of all abilities can join a new initiative to help them to exercise weekly.
Places Leisure, and My Journey Wokingham, are providing sessions in June to encourage a love of running.
Running Places sessions, led by the Places Leisure team, will offer a safe space for individuals aged 16 and over to build their confidence and fitness levels.
Participants will be able to take part in 3km or 5km distances, with all routes starting and finishing at Wokingham Leisure Centre.
Running Places women only sessions are offered on Tuesday mornings, with mixed gender sessions available on Wednesday mornings.
All routes start and finish at Wokingham Leisure Centre.
Thanks to funding from My Journey, and Places Leisure, these sessions will be free for both leisure centre members and non-members.
Cllr David Hare, executive member for adult services, health and wellbeing, said: “It is great to see there will be even more opportunities for residents to be active.
“A big thank you to My Journey and Places Leisure for contributing to these running groups, which will be hugely beneficial to people’s physical and mental health.
“Running groups can offer a supportive environment, where people feel motivated and encouraged by like-minded individuals.
“It is also good to see that these sessions will be free to attend, as there should not be a financial barrier to achieving the recommended amount of exercise.”
A recent Active Lives survey carried out by Sport England shows that 63% of women in Wokingham Borough are active, compared to 71% of men.
In the National Running Survey conducted in 2022, 47% of women reported being verbally harassed while out running.
And 18% also said they had considered stopping running altogether because of safety concerns, while others had taken steps to feel safe, such as changing the location and time of their run and choosing to run with others.
Places Leisure runs the borough’s six leisure centres.
My Journey Wokingham is an active and sustainable travel campaign that aims to help and inspire Wokingham residents, employees and students to travel by alternative modes.
Both organisations will be collaborating again later in the year to launch a My Way to 5k initiative, which will support women to build fitness, confidence and social connections, while working towards the goal of running 5km.
Molly Hale, Contract Healthy Communities Manager for Places Leisure, said: “Places Leisure is excited to be working in partnership with My Journey as part of our commitment to creating active places and healthy people for communities to thrive.
“Running Places is about more than just running for fitness: it will create a safe space where people can enjoy shared experiences, reach goals together and be part of a community where no one is left behind.”
Women only sessions are on Tuesdays, from 9.30am until 10.30am.
Mixed Gender sessions can be joined on Wednesday mornings, from 7.30am until 8.30am.
All events start and end at the Carnival Hub in Wokingham, with the first session on Tuesday, June 4.
Runners need to booking in advance via the places leisure website, or places leisure App.
Bookings can also be made at Wokingham Leisure Centre.
For non-members, a free Places membership is required.
This can be set up online through the following link: www.pfpleisure-pochub.org or at reception, or by calling: 0118 977 0007.
For more information, visit: www.placesleisure.org, and www.myjourneywokingham.com.
