Sadly the first reason is security - most of the ladies I know have expressed concern with regard to running alone at night. Some showed fear of even running alone during the day.

Running with a club gives them the opportunity to meet like minded women who want to run. Our ladies meet every Monday night 7pm, at Carr Hill High School in Kirkham. This is our club night when all the members meet  There is a short summary of the previous weekend’s races and details of any races taking place the coming weekend. We then all go our separate ways - groups of runners set off in various directions for different distances. The ladies will join the group that suits their individual need; the faster ladies may run with the men but most choose to run with fellow ladies. Recently we have tried mixed training sessions - the last being hill sessions. At the hill sessions the ladies were shown the best way to run up and run down a hill and this was then put into practise with the training session.

With the new contacts made at the club the ladies can then arrange convenient times to train with other ladies.

There are many competitions that club runners are privy to that non club runners cannot take part in.

The ladies have the same cross country races as the men but usually on shorter courses. The local clubs run a Summer Grand Prix series of six races, all around 5 miles.  We all compete and each club hosts their home event. The ladies are once again competing against other ladies from other clubs. When they enter official AAA races - they always have the opportunity of winning the team prize something that is impossible for lone runners.

Cost

Running is an inexpensive pastime.  The only real expense a runner needs is a good pair of running shoes, shorts and a top. Quote from club member, Steve Littler, Top 50 finisher in last year's London Marathon and winner of last year's Blackpool 10K Fun Run, “Why drive to a gym, to run on a treadmill when you can run to the gym and back?”  Our membership subs for the year are only £19; inexpensive costs are definitely a big plus for runners.

Running with a club

• Make new friends.

• Get advice on training, suitable footwear, on any running related injuries, who to see and what to do.

• On the social side all clubs have an annual presentation which is normally a dinner dance or disco.

• Every Thursday, Wesham has a Wrinkly Run, (self named). A large group meet on a Thursday morning for a gentile social run. The group is mainly retired members who plan different routes every week, anywhere from Lytham to Clitheroe. The run is ALWAYS followed by a couple of hours eating and chatting usually in a pub or tea room.

• Not everyone who runs for a club wants to be competitive - that is not a problem.  Many ladies join just for the company.

• People have many reasons for taking up running usually to lose weight or to feel healthy or fitter.

I myself took up running because I can not diet.  I was 18 stone and unhappy with my body. I started off with long walks because the motion of running was uncomfortable, my thighs rubbed together. I have never looked back.  I am 12 stone and consider myself a fat bloke who likes to exercise.  

The Wrinklys go abroad twice a year organised by Chief Wrinkly, retired fire officer, John Whiteman.

Written and submitted by George Kennedy