A group of Burnley runners have gone from a standing start to being able to run five kilometres after successfully completing a nine-week course.
17 graduates of Couch to 5k, a fitness programme from the NHS which has been run locally by Burnley Leisure’s Get in2 team, were rewarded for their efforts at a presentation at Prairie Sports Village.
They were presented with Couch to 5k certificates after completing their first ever 5k at Towneley Park.
Paul Foster, Burnley Leisure’s head of development, said: “All the runners have done an amazing job – we are very proud of what they achieved. I would especially like to thank all our volunteers who have helped to make this course such a great success.”
Graduates from Couch to 5k have been signposted to local running groups, including the weekly parkrun at Towneley Park, where they can choose to continue to enjoy regular runs over the 5k distance.
The second Couch to 5k course started on Monday 9th May and offers a total of five runs each week including two new sessions starting from Shuttleworth Community College.
The runs take place on:
- Mondays 6pm at Shuttleworth Community College
- Tuesdays 6.30pm at Burnley Athletic Club Barden Track
- Wednesdays 6pm at Shuttleworth Community College
- Thursdays 6.30pm at Thompson Park Boathouse
- Saturdays 10am at Riverside car park, Towneley Park
As well as building fitness strength, people can also track their weight with free weigh-in sessions every Tuesday and Saturday. Burnley Leisure’s Up and Active team is providing this free service before the Couch to 5k runs.
To take on the Couch to 5k challenge and get involved with the programme, people can register on www.upandactive.co.uk.
For further enquiries please contact Andrea from the Get in2 team on 01282 477167 or by emailing getin2@burnley.gov.uk.
For more tips on getting active, healthier eating choices, activities and setting goals visit www.burnleyleisure.co.uk or follow the Get in2 Facebook page www.facebook.com/burnley.get.in.2
