North Westmeath Athletics Club 'Couch to 5k' returns this week

As autumn settles in and the sports seasons wind down, North Westmeath Athletics Club are offering a Couch to 5k programme for those looking to stay active and fit. It starts this Wednesday, October 7, at 7.30pm, at the library side of Castlepollard Town Park.

The club welcome people of all abilities, from beginners or those trying to get back into running, even marathon runners; all are welcome.

Club chairperson Niamh Murtagh said: "Everyone has different goals. Everyone has their own set target they want to achieve, and enquiries we’ve received are that they are doing little bits themselves, and they’re looking for a structured environment and the club support. We’re the kind of running club that look after all kinds of abilities."

The aim is to get people out walking and building up to running.

"We’re out running on the wet evenings, and it’s just taking the first step out the door. The hardest step is just going to meet up with the group. We often say you won’t regret going. You won’t regret getting out in the fresh air and socialising or just moving in general, and the endorphins and the good feelings that come from it are great."

The Couch to 5k runs over eight weeks, three sessions a week – one with the club and two in your own time. Participants join the club, and the membership fee of €50 a year is covered by Athletics Ireland for the months October to Decemberr.

At the end of the eight weeks, the group do a Christmas 5k to highlight progress and to give members a goal to work towards.

This is North Westmeath AC’s third Couch to 5k, and they keen to get the word out that they are there and open to new members of all abilities. "People are moving more than ever," said Niamh, "there seems to be a general interest in getting fitter and healthier, and we encourage the social aspect too. It’s a nice, friendly environment and it’s taking place in the Castlepollard Town Park. So, it’s all lit up, it’s all secure and we’re in one area."

The idea originally came from the late Paul Hardiman, RIP, who served on the North Westmeath Athletics Club committee, to encourage positive attitudes to running. The club organised a 5k in Paul’s memory earlier this year:

"He was interested in getting people into running, and for people to enjoy the running as well as reaching their personal bests. He was always phoning up, wanting to get the news, how people were doing, and how the committee were doing. He was immersed in the community."

The club received the endorsement of Paul’s family to run the Couch to 5k again and since then have received large community support.