RESPONSIBLE RUNNING || Run for Good

Our running community has shown how we are so much stronger together during the recent lockdowns. We celebrate how you made such a huge difference, pulling together to look after each other, as well as the wider community. Because being responsible starts at home

Words: Tina Chantrey

Runners have been forced to adapt over the past year: initially, we were limited to just one exercise activity a day; competitions at every level were cancelled; and access to facilities or equipment – even the clubhouse bar – ended. But by our nature we are resilient. Crossing the finish line of any race, from 5K to ultras, takes strength and adaptability, so we were ready to rise to the challenge that Covid presented. Runners have turned around the challenges of the last year, adapted to restrictions, and shown not only that humour can get you through anything, but also how to keep calm and carry on running.

|| Runners have adapted to restrictions and shown not only that humour can get you through, but also how to keep calm and carry on running||

Raising money for charity

Poole Runners is a large club which had to take its track sessions, event and club meets online in 2020

Paula Barker, Poole Runners, poolerunners.co.uk “Every week since Covid struck, we’ve had a Zoom meeting on Wednesday nights, which is normally our club night.

“We’ve covered different subjects, sharing how we’re running in lockdown, what routes we have run, and giving virtual run results. One week, Joanne Westhead, our welfare officer, spoke to us about mental health, which is so very important at this time.

We’ve also had special guests come along, such as Verity Ockenden who used to be a Poole Runner and now is in Team GB, who shared her experience during lockdown.

“We’ve also held a weekly virtual 5K, for all of those who are missing parkrun, which has been age graded with the results shared. This has been a great motivation for many club members.

“The biggest achievement for the club during lockdown is the Garden Marathon Challenge, a great idea from Colin Summers which really won the hearts of us all. Colin came up with this idea as we had to cancel the Poole Festival of Running, which is normally held during the first weekend of June and raises a massive amount of money for Poole Hospital charity.