Around 2005, in a combined effort, the Health Service Executive (HSE), Cork County Local Sports Partnership (CCLSP) and Eagle Athletic Club set up a “Meet and Train” Women's Starter Running Group in Douglas.

WE HAVE MOVED!

Now meeting in Douglas Village Shopping Centre!!

August 2012: The Meet & Train group continues to meet every Monday evening, hail or shine, throughout the summer.

The Starter Group is for anyone new to running, who wants to learn how to get started.

The womens “Meet and Train” group meets on Monday evenings  at 7pm SHARP!!, at Douglas Village Shopping Centre (the Tesco one). We meet near the Tesco checkouts at the end of the escalators. (This is close to the South County and John O'Sullivan's Pub on the west side of Douglas)

We have management permission to use the multi-storey car park, so you have no parking problems..

Starting and finishing at Douglas Village Shopping Centre, the group run takes in a short loop in the Douglas – Ballinlough area. The group comprises of beginner and improver runners and runs are non-competitive. Many in the Starter Group start out by mixing walking and running, and we will help you to find a pace and rhythm that suits you, as well as showing you the way. Most members of the Starter Group graduate within a few weeks to join the runners who are running without walking and covering longer distances.

Who's running with us:

People drop in and out of the group, depending on their personal preferences and pressures, and some people 'graduate' - they find that they want to do more/faster than our groups.  Many join formal Running Clubs, like Eagle AC.

The group is (apart from the Group Leader) exclusively women and age ranges from early twenties to fifties, so age is not an issue.  The Starter group is just that - it's aimed at getting people going!

It in doubt about running, remember that The health benefits of running by far outweigh those of 'not running'!

Complete Beginner?

For the beginners group, who do a 3 mile route with me, you'd need to be able to run for about 5 mins at a time.  Pace is between 10 and 11.5 mins/mile.

If you're not yet up to that pace, don't despair, but I'd advise leaving it 2 to 3 weeks to get up to speed.  To get there I'd advise combining walking and running a 3 to 4 times a week for 2 to 3 weeks - youll be surprised at the progress that can be made in a short period of time, with consistency.  If you walk for say 5 mins, then run for 1 min, walk 2, run 1, etc, that'll do.  Pace for the run section should NOT be fast - just a jog.

On the other hand, if you're up to running for more than 5 mins at a time, just come along.

Groups/Run 

At the moment there are four groups;

Three Mile Route:

The Starter Group does a 3 mile circuit round Douglas and Ballinlough, generally taking about 30 to 35 minutes. Sometimes this group combines running with occassional walking.  There is one official stretch stop en route. 

Route: Begins at Tesco and heads in towards town along South Douglas Road, turning up Belvedere Lawn and crossing Douglas Road and down Woodview onto Well Road.  From there, head uphill to Lovett's roundabout, where we have an official 'stretch stop'.  Turning left here, we take the next left, at the Silver Key pub, onto Ballinlough Road.  Near The Orchard pub, turn left onto Somerton, followed by a right onto South Lodg, left again into Browningstown Park, followed by a right and immediate left, bringing you past Eglantine girls school and back onto Douglas Road.  Turning left onto Douglas Road, at Johnson & Perrott's garage, head back towards Douglas.  Cross the road by AIB bank and take the footpath by Reeve's Wood and down into Douglas.  Turn right onto the new 'link road' between the two douglas Roads and then left and back to Tesco.

4 Mile Route:

The middle group covers a 3.6 mile , mainly over the same circuit but covers a longer route,  This route takes about 40 minutes.

Route: Tesco - Belvedere Lawn - Woodview - Well Road - Ballinlough Road - Somerton - South Lodge - Browningstown Park - Douglas Road - Tesco

5 Mile Route:

The longer route is for runners with a higher level of fitness, covers a 5 mile and takes about 50 minutes.

Route: Tesco - Turner's Cross - South Infirmary - Boreenmanna Road - Well Road - Douglas

So if you’d like to join the group, just turn up on Monday evening at 7pm. In addition to your normal running attire, it’s advisable to wear a Hi-Viz/reflective vest or belt, to ensure greater safety on the run.

6 Mile Route: NEW!!

We have recently introduced a new 6 mile route, which has proved very popular. 

Route: Tesco - Belvedere Lawn - Woodview - Well Road - Skehard Road - Ringmahon Road - Skehard Road - Well Road - Tesco

Weather 

Whatever the weather, someone will be there.  The only things that will stop us running are heavy fog, lightning and (possibly) icy conditions.  Light drizzle, or even lashing rain, will not stop us.

Contact 

If you want to warn us in advance, or if you want more information, contact John Quigley at 087-6261178 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

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There is no charge for the session or for joining the group.

If you’re an established runner and would like to help out, just turn up, or use the same contact details as above.

Walking Group:

If you prefer to walk, there is a SEPARATE walking group.  They meet at different times and, sometimes, locations to the running group.  Contact Pat Cregan (087-9051103) or Carmel Slattery (087-9136713) for further information on the walking group.

Girls!! Please pass the word on to ALL your friends!