Running log

Queensbury Running Club are in good shape after tripling their membership.

The club have had a stalwart membership of 20 for around 20 years but a new beginners’ group has sparked an increase.

The first evening’s attendance prompted leader Martin Firth to say: “This is the biggest breath of fresh air our club has ever had!”

Club secretary Carl Heron added: “It’s been a good week for the club – the beginners’ group launched, a successful Calderdale Way relay and three PBs in the John Carr 5K, including Chris Williams’ remarkable third place in 16:01.”

The weather was perfect for the first weekly session of the newly-formed beginners section.

An impressive turn-out of 38 enthusiastic runners, 35 of whom were ladies, sampled the beautiful Queensbury countryside in calm, warm and sunny conditions under the expert eye of Firth and experienced regulars from the host club.

Firth attended a coaching course in Keighley to qualify to lead such groups.

Holly Williams, SportsShare and England Athletics co-ordinator for Bradford, is busy planning additional coaching courses so that local clubs can keep up with the demand.

Firth said: “The session was a huge success and the feedback from the participants extremely positive.”

The course lasts for ten weeks and takes place each Thursday, starting at 7pm, at the Pit Lane headquarters of Queensbury Celtic Juniors FC.

The aim is to provide a welcoming social environment in which people of any fitness can participate at their own level, offering achievable goals and activities to enhance their health and life.

To subscribe to the next course in the Queensbury and Clayton area, call Firth on 07724-127743, or for information on other groups contact Holly Williams at holjwilliams@googlemail.com.

Meanwhile, the second Esholt John Carr 5K drew a maximum 364 runners.

Local runners dominated, with Kevin Ogden (Spen) winning in 15min 31sec ahead of Otley’s Jamil Parapia (15:48). Williams held off a tight group of eight for third.