Last Saturday’s (5 April 2025) parkrun in Cross Flatts Park, Beeston, not only marked the 12th birthday of the event, but also saw the graduation of the latest group of ‘Couch to 5k’ (C25K) runners.
South Leeds Lakers running club organised the programme which helps people who have never run before, or are returning from injury to build up their distance to be able to run 5km. Trained run leaders supported the group over the ten week programme, which met three times a week.
Claire described the programme as “hard and rewarding” she continued:
“I would say doing it with the Lakers is the best decision I made because it’s been amazing having all the support, I would not have done it on my own.”
Amy agreed:
“It’s been hard, but I’ve really enjoyed it and I’m proud of myself, because thinking back to week one I thought ‘no, I’m not going to get to week 9, no chance.’ In week one I probably couldn’t even run for a minute without being out of breath and today I’ve just run for 40 minutes non-stop, so I’m proud.”
One of the weekly sessions tied in with the Lakers’ club night which sees 50+ members go out on 5, 7.5, or 10km social runs from Hunslet Nelson Cricket Club. When the club celebrated its 10th birthday towards the end of the programme, every group had to start their run up Rex Hill (Ring Road Beeston Park). This proved a turning point for the C25Kers, as Claire describes:
“I had a petulant moment at the beginning. I said I’m not doing it, I’m getting in the car, I’m going home. But running it is probably one of the best achievements I’ve ever had. We were telling everyone the day after “we’ve run Rex Hill”.
Tracy Allison, one of the run leaders along with Mark Reid, Wendy Murgatroyd and Sue Talbot, said:
“I’ve really enjoyed seeing them all progress. I’ve enjoyed the key moments when they’ve done Rex Hill and they’ve realised ‘yes, we can do this. I want to tell my kids, my partner that I’ve run up that hill’. It’s renewed my love of running in getting them hooked to it as well.”
The group shared their nerves before Saturday’s run on WhatsApp, but run leader Wendy reassured them saying:
“You can do this. Your run leaders are going to be with you every step of the way. Nerves are a good thing before a run, they show you care.”
Find out more about running with South Leeds Lakers on their website here.
If you can’t wait for the next Lakers’ C25K you can download the NHS C25K app to your smartphone and start your journey.
Photo: Graduates celebrate their success with the run leaders at Cross Flatts parkrun
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