Our motto is 'Be Kind, Be Slow, Be Sh*t and we want you to come running with us in Fleetwood

A brand new running club aimed at those who would like to run but are terrified of giving it a go - is starting in Fleetwood.

It’s called The Sh*t Runners-Club. The name says it all and the organisers are hoping it will appeal to those who fear they are not good enough to try and encourage them to cast the dread aside and join in.

The owner of Ignite Fitness, Lisa Oakley, is organising it and the first event is on November 1 where participants will run, walk, jog or a mixture of all three for 15 minutes, turn around and come back again - for a brew and a biscuit at Ignite.

Lisa said: “As owner of a local gym in Fleetwood, we decided to set up a running group for our members. But we have since found that people are really nervous about running and so we have opened it to the wider community. So we have started a Sh*t Runners Club.

“It is similar to one set up in Kendal by a gentleman who had a team behind him and has grown to 500 members.

“He’s now rolled this out across the country and there are now 14 other Sh*t Runners Clubs across the North West with another 11 opening soon with Fleetwood being one being one of them.

“Our motto is ‘Be Kind, Be Slow, Be Sh*t’

“A lot of people are nervous about running, worried about not keeping up with other people but with this running club, it doesn’t matter about ability.

“They can turn up with dogs, with children they can walk it, it run it.

“For now we are keeping it simple, when we progress we might branch out to different speed groups but for now we set off for 15 minutes, turn around and come back.

“It doesn’t matter what speed people are at, we will all come back together which is great for the community, then we can come back to Ignite for a brew, so it’s the social side too.”

As the nights draw in and the weather turns colder, it becomes more difficult to be motivated to get outside. So this where the organisers are hoping the club will help beat that seasonal slump in keeping fit.

Lisa added: “We’ve even got volunteers who will to be at the back to support those people who want to walk or want to do a mix of walk and run, jog.

“We are not appealing people to be out for a personal best, we are appealing to those who think they couldn’t run and starting from scratch with them.”

Paul Jebb, a member of the Ignite said: “I think for me it’s about inclusivity. It’s open to anyone, no matter what their ability, what they think they can do and what they can achieve.

“Its about getting people moving, getting out and building confidence. Running is not for everyone but this about getting people mobile.”

Meet at 9.30am at Ignite Fitness Studio - 15 North Albert St, Fleetwood FY7 6AA . A second weekly session takes place on Thursdays at 6.30pm