Council wins regional award for getting people running – two years running!

Plymouth City Council’s sports development unit has won a regional award from England Athletics (EA) for its work in promoting and developing running groups for beginners.

The Council has been named Community Partner of the Year for the South West as part of EA’s Volunteer Awards and Hall of Fame programme.

EA South West Chair Nigel Rowe presented the award to Nyrene Dudley from the sports development unit and Councillor Philippa Davey at a special ceremony last night, which recognised and honored those who have made an outstanding contribution to athletics in England.

The team was praised for the number of friendly, informal community running groups it has set up and supported in the last year. Because of its dedication and commitment hundreds of runners, many of which were new to sport, are now running on a regular basis. Some have even progressed to compete in 5k and 10k events or have joined a running club within the city.

Since setting up its first running group in January 2008 for female Council staff working at Windsor House, the team has trained over 20 volunteer leaders and set up more than 30 new Run England groups – attracting more than a thousand men and women to the sport of running.

The team has an excellent track record of community engagement, working with various partners including health, school and community groups and often targeting the city’s most hard to reach groups. It has been particularly successful in engaging with women, the over-50s and people with disabilities.

This is the second year running that the team has scooped an award, having won Project of the Year in 2012.

Councillor Philippa Davey said: “We’re really pleased to receive this award from England Athletics. Our sports development unit has helped hundreds of people to get fit and active through its running groups and this award is much deserved. Running is a great, low-cost way for people to stay fit – and if you run with a group you get the added benefits of meeting new people and keeping each other motivated. If you’d like to give running a try, or are interested in leading a running group give the team a call.”

For more information call the sports development unit on 01752 307008 or email sportsdevelopment@plymouth.gov.uk.