Run Together this spring!
Spring is a great time to explore all the parks, paths and trails across Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland - whether you're looking to get started with a beginner running group, take part in a local parkrun, or even join a running club. Running can be fun, sociable and one of the cheapest activities around.
With so many scenic places to explore, running in the spring gives you the chance to take in your surroundings, allowing you to practice mindfulness and clear your mind. This is a great way boost your mood. Make the most of the change in season and get outside!
5 benefits of running in the winter:
1. Boosts mood - Millions of us notice that our mood dips in colder months. Enjoy the change of season in spring an get outside! Running outside boosts our mood-regulating neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine and endorphin. This keeps you motivated and makes you feel good long after you finish!
2. Vitamin D - Our Vitamin D levels are usually lower during winter. Running outside exposes us to sunlight (even on cloudy days!), importantly boosting our vitamin D and keeping our bones and muscles healthy.
3. Boosts immunity – Running outside in spring can wake up your immune system and decrease inflammation.
4. Participation events - There are lots of fun running events to get involved in over the spring, whether that be a Fun Run, charity C25K or simply a group parkrun, if having an event to work towards motivates you, check out what's on here.
5. Joining a group - Lots of people find it easier to start running in spring by going out with others. Why not consider joining a beginner running group and become part of a friendly and encouraging community!
Run Together
Run Together is a programme offering a regular free, sociable, and accessible beginner running groups within Leicestershire. Our friendly, qualified run leaders are there to support and guide you on your running journey, encouraging and motivating you to achieve your goals.
Run Together is coordinated and delivered via a partnership of Leicestershire Local Authorities, Active Together and local running clubs and groups.
For more information on local beginners running groups in Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland, contact Kim Angell via kimangell.running@yahoo.co.uk.
Related pages
Visit 'what's around my way' to find your local parks, open spaces, walking and cycling routes. Plus, find some ideas on what to do when you get there!
Volunteering in physical activity and sport has so many great benefits. Here you'll find many useful links to get involved - including running opportunities.
A community of runners, walkers, and cyclists who combine regular exercise with charity to help out local communities.
Couch to 5K
Couch to 5K (C25K) is a free and easy way of getting fitter and healthier! It is a structured running plan for complete beginners, or for those that want to get back into running. It is designed to help you gradually work up towards running 5km in just 9 weeks.
At first, the thought of running a full 5km (3.1 miles), may seem daunting, or indeed impossible! However, C25K works because it starts with a mix of running and walking to gradually build up your fitness and stamina. With the right consistency and support, you will soon start to see improvements. Plus, starting with a group of likeminded people with similar abilities keeps you motivated. Running aside, it's a chance to socialise, have a laugh, and make new friends.
Many of the local C25K groups culminate with a parkrun, a fun way to celebrate as a group!
Ready to join a group?
Find your local C25K group here. All C25Ks are led by friendly and qualified run leaders who make sure no on is left behind and everyone is supported to achieve their own goal.
Not yet ready to join a group?
Taking up running can seem like a scary prospect, especially if you feel out of shape or unfit. Start out individually with the NHS Couch to 5K. The programme will help you to gradually work up towards running 5km in just 9 weeks.
parkrun
parkruns are free, weekly, community events available across Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland.
parkruns are held on Saturday mornings at 9am, and are 5k (3.1 miles) long. They take place in local parks and open spaces. There are also junior parkruns, a 2k (1.2 miles) distance held on Sunday mornings for children aged four to 14.
You can also parkwalk at parkrun! Build up to parkrun or enjoy a change of pace. You can walk at any pace, alone or with others. You could bring a dog or a buggy and even use walking poles if you have them.
Many of the local C25K groups culminate with a parkrun. However, don't let this put you off as everyone is welcome at parkrun – it is a running, jogging and/or walking event. At parkrun, there will be a Tail Walker who stays right at the back of the field and is the last person to cross the finish line, so you'll never finish last! No matter how fast or slow you are the event organisers are just delighted to see you taking part.
parkrun is a positive, welcoming and inclusive experience where there is no time limit and no one finishes last. Everyone is welcome to come along, whether you walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate.
Find your nearest parkrun/parkwalk across Leicestershire, Leicester & Rutland!
You're performing the exercises linked from our website at your own risk
Whilst every effort has been made to verify the information on the Active Together and associated pages, Active Together is not responsible for the accuracy or content of external websites. Whilst taking part in physical activity, participants should ensure they take part at a level which is appropriate to them and their health and are responsible for ensuring they check the credentials and health and safety requirements for each activity. It is recommended that participants follow the Chief Medical Officers Guidelines for physical activity. Participants will choose to utilise these links and take part in activities at their own risk.
If you're unsure about your ability, it might be wise to start gradually and build up. Please feel free to refer to the UK Chief Medical Officer's Physical Activity Guidelines when determining the level of activity appropriate to you.
Make sure you warm up and cool down to prevent injury, and make sure you keep hydrated.
Stop the exercises immediately if you feel faint or unwell, and if you still feel dizzy or unwell have a rest. Next time try something less strenuous, building up your activity gradually.
Finally, please continue to follow the government's guidance on how to prevent the spread of Coronavirus.
