WEEKLY morning running sessions have begun for women and girls aged 16 and above who want to build up their confidence and fitness within the security of a women-only group.
Run by Places Leisure Wokingham, and funded by My Journey Wokingham, the new female only initiative, Running Places, is designed to encourage a love of running in women who want to start the activity, but who may find gyms and indoor fitness centres intimidating places to train.
Molly Hale, contract healthy communities manager at Places Leisure Wokingham, said: “We’ve had a great start, and positive feedback already.
“There were nine people who signed up for the first event, and those that came have said how much they enjoyed it.
“We really want to grow this group into a supportive community of women who run together for fun and for fitness.
“Eventually, we’d like to become a stepping stone for those who want to try a park run but don’t know where to start.
“It can really help to have the support of other women as you train.
“We may be a small group now, but we’re really hoping that this will lift off as more women hear about it.”
Women are less likely than men to sign up to outdoor activities, such as jogging.
One reason for this may be the comments they risk while out running alone.
In the National Running Survey conducted in 2022, 47% of solo women runners reported verbal harassment, and 18% considered stopping running altogether because of safety concerns.
Women may also feel body-conscious and unwilling to exercise in front of others in a gym.
In response to these issues, women-only running groups, like Running Places, some attracting hundreds of runners, are popping up all over the country and giving women an opportunity to run with confidence.
Molly added: “One of our runners said that they have a health condition, and they find training indoors makes them feel quite anxious.
“She told us that running outdoors today was a great alternative.
“Another, also with a health condition, said that they worked from home, and the run provided a helpful break in the day.”
We hadn’t realised that Running Places could be important for people with health challenges too, and we’re delighted that this is another way in which women can benefit from the initiative.”
The weekly sessions are suitable for all running abilities, and the group promises that no-one will be left behind.
A My Journey Wokingham representative, said: “We’re funding the women-only group to try to encourage women to travel actively and to build up their health and fitness.
“Running in a group can feel safer, as people grow in confidence and start running instead of using a car.
“We’re really hoping that these sessions will take off.”
The events are free for leisure centre members and non-members, with participants able to take part in 3km or 5km runs.
Women-only sessions are on Tuesdays, from 9.30am until 10.30am, designed to allow time to drop children off at school beforehand.
Places and Leisure have funded another mixed gender Running Places group, which can be joined on Wednesday mornings, from 7.30am until 8.30am.
All events start and end at Places Leisure at Carnival Hub in Wokingham.
Runners need to register prior to joining a session.
For more information, visit:www.placesleisure.org, and www.myjourneywokingham.com