Hambleton running club overcomes pandemic with virtual running group

A Hambleton running club has kept members involved during the pandemic by launching a virtual running group.

As a response to the restrictions caused by Covid-19, Hambleton Athletics & Running Club (HARC) established the online group and have been offering virtual club running sessions to both members and non-members four times a week.

The club sessions offered via Zoom ensured that even when lockdown prevented people meeting in person to run, athletes were still able to benefit from both coaching and social interaction.

Club leaders say the virtual running sessions effectively brought the club to the house.

Those with caring responsibilities, those who are unsure about travelling to a club session and even those who were self-isolating have been able to join a session from their own home or garden.

Additionally, utilising the Zoom technology meant that even athletes running on their own were connected to the group, providing a further level of security.  

HARC has successfully used the virtual running group to deliver three complete couch to 5k programmes for brand new runners or those returning from a break.

Many of the athletes have successfully achieved personal best times and distances even during the strictest lockdown restrictions.

Rosie Chilton is one of HARC’s C25K runners.

She benefited from the coach’s input but more importantly says it gave her the opportunity to be part of a group even when running on her own

She said: “It was really motivating to know you were running at the same time as everyone else and I felt supported by others in the club through the Zoom sessions even though I hadn’t met them in person.”

Going forward, members believes there will still be value in using the technology available once the restrictions have eased and they plan to continue offering virtual running groups for as long as it is necessary.

HARC welcomes adults and young people (12 years and up) of any ability from complete beginners to experienced runners alike.

For more information, go to www.harc.uk.

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