Couch to 10k running bugs to take on next challenge – 13 miles
A COMMUNITY running group is attempting one of its biggest challenges to date – a half marathon.
The group, which was founded by friends Kimberly Whitehead and Justine Scammell, has gone from strength to strength since being founded in September last year – and just a year later has more than 250 members.
Now eight members of the Baxenden Running Bugs, or the ‘Bash Bugs’ as they a popularly known, are preparing to compete in a challenging half-marathon across Manchester on Sunday, October 16.
The group has also been boosted after an award celebrated the achievements of one of their founders, Justine.
She was delighted to be handed the ‘Inspire Award’ at the Hyndburn Sports Awards, for her work on the ‘Couch to 10k’ programme.
Co-founder Justine said: “Everything in the group is going well. We’ve concentrated on developing the people who are coming through the 5km plan to take them up to 10km, half marathons and more advanced running.
“Eight of us are attempting the marathon, and a couple have never run one before.
“They have worked through the group to get up to it.
“The race is going to be freezing but we’ll cope, this race is really a personal challenge for everyone.”
She added: “I knew I had been nominated for the award but I didn’t know I would win.
“It was really nice, especially because I have got that support from everybody, they wanted to come to say thank you.”
The group are setting up another ‘couch to 5km’ group on October 17, which will encourage new and novice runners to take up the sport.