Residents from the Macedon Ranges and surrounding areas are being encouraged to get active and join the Macedon Ranges Running Club for its five-kilometre kickstart program.
Beginning on April 29, the program will help residents to build up their fitness throughout nine weeks, while offering a platform to socialise and meet new people.
Paul Mitchell from Macedon Ranges Running Club had just arrived home from a run when we had a chat about the program and his involvement.
He said the club, which started in Gisborne in about 2005, has between 200-300 people involved across the six townships.
“We’ve had thousands of runners go through the program,” he said.
“It’s good for people who have never run before and for people who want to get back into running.
“You get fit while having fun and it’s excellent for mental health, because it relieves stress and helps build resilience.”
Now operating in Gisborne, Woodend, Macedon, Romsey, Lancefield and Kyneton, the club takes the pressure off performance, instead focusing on cultivating a social environment for runners to have fun while getting fit.
The club offers a range of programs and groups aimed at beginners, intermediate and advanced runners, as well as a walk and run group for people recovering from an injury.
About 55 people from the club recently completed the annual Run The Rock race at Hanging Rock.
In the lead up to the race, club members completed 12 weeks of training aimed at the 13.5-kilometre run.
Membership fees for the club are $22.50 per annum, which covers public liability insurance through the clubs association with Athletics Victoria.
