The Active Waveney ‘Get into Running’ scheme has been such as success that two new sessions are planned for the Beccles area.

There are three running sessions taking place each week at Normanston Park, Lowestoft, as result of an initial approach to Active Waveney Sports Partnership by David Pimlott, a coach from Waveney Valley Athletic Club.

Pimlott approached Claire Henwood, the WDC sports and leisure development service manager, suggesting that an Introduction to Running course be added to the Adult Get into Fitness Programme.

Funding was forthcoming to run a course comprising of one hour intoduction sessions over a six-week period. The aim was to encourage exercise in a friendly, fun environment, where those participating would not feel embarrassed, regardless of their size, weight, fitness or age. The target was to improve all participants’ fitness by gentle introduction to exercise, with initial walking exercises leading onto power walking then jogging.

Following on from the six-week course, Pimlott asked participants if they would like to continue the sessions, and as a result he now runs two training sessions on Thursday evenings. One is for beginners and power walkers, the other for those who now have the ability to run three miles or more.

A further session has recently been added on Tuesday evenings for those that wanted to run with a group twice-weekly.

Thirty-four adults have so far taken part in the sessions, both male and female, with ages ranging from 17 to 68. Nineteen members recently enjoyed a run of about five miles from Oulton Broad to Somerleyton, catching the train back home.

Upon taking early retirement from work, Pimlott got involved as race organiser with Waveney Valley AC and has also started coaching the club’s juniors at Beccles.

He is a qualified UK Athletics Level 2 Endurance Coach and Leader in running and fitness. He has always been an active participant in sports and fitness, but only started running at the age of 56. He has since run two London Marathons plus several half-marathons,10ks, 5ks and cross-country races.

He plans to start two further introductory sessions at Beccles, one during the daytime and one in the evening, followed by a daytime session at Lowestoft.

The daytime sessions are aimed at people such as parents with children at school, or those who work in the evenings. Anyone interested in the current or future sessions can contact him on 01502 567980, 07742 188475, or by email: davidandsally@talktalk.net

n David Pimlott is pictured finishing the Silverstone half-marathon a few years ago.