Cottingham Fitmums and Friends

Meet twice a week at Cottingham Playsport Pavilion, every session has groups from 1 - 6 mile options. Fitmums and friends wants to ensure that it supports members in their goals and aspirations, it may be to run a 10k, half marathon, 2 miles or simply be to be able to run or walk twice a week and feel comfortable to do so. For details check out the website below. The sessions are held on a Wednesday evening at 7pm and a Friday evening at 6.15pm.

www.fitmums.org.uk

"When my eldest child started school, I realized  I was missing the opportunity to meet and socialize with other parents.  As a working mum I wasn’t in the playground very much and sensed I was missing out on the playground social scene!  So, I decided to use my love of running to try and meet other parents in order to make new friends and develop a support network for future school life.

I wasn’t sure if anyone else would be interested in going running; after all, it isn’t everyone’s favourite form of exercise! The teachers kindly agreed to put a home-made flyer in each child’s bag, inviting any interested parents to join me for a fun and sociable run. To my amazement five mums turned up on that first night: the beginning of an amazing adventure.

I had no idea on that first run what was to come, but within two years the five mums on my doorstep turned into 225 runners and walkers (no longer on my doorstep!). It seems there was considerable interest in running after all! The people just kept on coming (men, women, dads, grandparents) and thus Fitmums & Friends began to develop and evolve. This original group based in an East Yorkshire village (Cottingham) has expanded to include walking and buggy burn groups and run sessions with child care provision. This first Fitmums & Friends group is managed and organized by a team of volunteers and is now a UK Athletics affiliated club.

The Fitmums & Friends systems of support have been crucial in creating a group in which people can truly feel supported. The ethos of shepherding is instilled in all members and everyone benefits from this. This is why Fitmums & Friends has reached and encouraged so many people: no-one is under pressure to perform beyond their capabilities but they do often surprise themselves in terms of what they can do because of the support they get. There is also immense security in knowing you will never be left behind."

Sam Barlow

Founder: Cottingham Fitmums and Friends