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Thorney Running Club have been developing their junior and female membership.  A number of members with youngsters that are or aspire to be active members started a regular Monday evening session in Thorney to support those unable to get to Whittlesey and more specifically for the benefit of younger athletes and runners with more modest aspirations.

Using high visibility tops for safety and ‘inclusion’ the sessions have grown in support as more locals have got involved.  Organiser Andy Harding is in the process of qualifying as a personal trainer, and confirmed that when he has finished the course he is on he hopes to get qualified as a running coach which would be an added bonus for the club as well as a great development for Andy who has inspired many athletes - one of the senior ladies commented that if it wasn’t for Andy she would never have run the Folksworth 15 and a number of half marathons.

Some of the new members from these Monday sessions have gone on to compete in local races after only a few months of attending so it’s a really promising progression.  One of Andy’s young athletes  has started racing in fun runs because he is more confident from the Monday training, and there are 4 children from the Monday group that are running in the Great Eastern Run (GER) Fun Run.  Tristan Smith is one of the group’s faster juniors - he sometimes wins fun runs and has moved up to some of the senior races.  In addition, now his mother is training for the GER fun run – proof that other family members become involved when the opportunity is right.

Weekly attendance at the sessions is now averaging up to 20 every week.  Thorney Running Club have demonstrated that with minimal equipment and enthusiastic individuals – a difference can be made locally.

• Thorney Running Club website
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