September is the perfect month to find your pace, and Redditch residents are being invited to swap flip-flops for trainers as the next wave of FREE Couch to 5K courses gets underway across the borough.
The nine-week programme is built for absolute beginners, helping people go from a gentle jog to confidently crossing the 5K finish line.
Whether you’ve never broken into a run before, or you’ve fallen out of step with your fitness, Couch to 5K offers the perfect way to get back on track.
The course is open to anyone aged 12 and above (under-18s must run alongside a guardian) and, best of all, there’s no need to book, no entry fee, and no pressure, just turn up and take your first stride:
Mondays, 7:30pm – The Abbey Track
Wednesdays, 7:30pm – The Abbey Track
Fridays, 9:30am – Batchley Pond (meet by the play park)
Portfolio Holder for Leisure & Recreation, Cllr Juliet Barker Smith, encouraged runners of all ages to give it a go:
“It’s never too late to have a go at something new, and I’m finding, especially in later life, keeping fit and staying flexible is absolutely essential!”
She added:
“Giving residents across the borough the opportunity to get active, pick up a new hobby, and become part of a community is fantastic. We are continually grateful to all the Run Leaders who volunteer to facilitate these sessions which consistently prove popular.”
Each weekly meet is led by qualified England Athletics Run Leaders and fully endorsed by the NHS, ensuring everyone is supported safely from their first warm-up to their final sprint. Participants can stick with one regular slot or mix and match to suit their schedule. The advice? Aim for three runs a week to build stamina and cross that 5K line with confidence.
And the finish line is only the start. Many graduates from Redditch’s Couch to 5K groups go on to join local running clubs or Parkrun, building fitness while becoming part of a supportive community. The scheme has also developed new Run Leaders, proof that small first steps can lead to marathon achievements.
A heartfelt thank you goes to local clubs: STARS Redditch, Redditch Community Runners, and Kingfisher Harriers for going the extra mile in supporting new runners every season.
To find out more, visit Couch to 5K or contact Sports Development on 01527 881404 or [email protected].
Main Image: For illustration purposes only.
