Try Running

We hold weekly sessions on Tuesday evenings at 6pm, meeting at Thorpe Wood Golf Car Park (PE3 6SD). We also hold 5-mile sessions on the first and third Sundays of the month at 9am, meeting at the Visitor Centre in Ferry Meadows. There will be different run leaders taking different sessions.

These are sessions for complete beginners and our run leaders will be supportive and encouraging to help you get started. Why not book onto a session and see how you feel? As you get more confident the group may go further and for longer – the leaders will adapt to the group and if necessary divide the group up according to stamina and experience.

They are free, this project is funded by the National Lottery Heritage fund as part of Nene Park Trust, Your Community Greenspace. The idea behind Try Running is to offer beginner running sessions to get people out in our beautiful green space, improving health and wellbeing, bringing people together to be supported to give running a go.  

The Tuesday sessions start from Thorpe Wood Golf Car Park (PE3 6SD)

We will be able to accommodate a small amount of buggies for each sessions (max 3 due to health and safety reasons). We will review in the near future if there is appetite for individual parent sessions.

At this time we are welcoming adults age 18 and over, this may change in the near future.

You will be asked when booking if you have any medical conditions. Please seek advice from your GP and sign up once you get the green light.

Please seek advice from your midwife on what exercise is advised, if they are happy for you to run then please sign up.

Jo Morris

I’m delighted to be a part of the run leader volunteers, leading a weekly Try Running session at Nene Park.  As an enthusiastic runner myself, who loves nothing more than a social, chatty run, it is a pleasure to encourage and support our group of beginners, who are already seeing some big changes to their fitness levels and enjoyment of running.

Each week we plan a warm up, run and a cool down with each session tailored to the pace and progression of our runners.  At each session we always have 2 run leaders so we can ensure that no one is left behind or without someone to chat too!

With the project funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, through the Your Community Greenspace project, Try Running aims is to bring communities together and to connect them to greenspaces through fitness and exercise.  Try Running really offers the perfect opportunity to anyone who wants to give running a try for the first time or needs some encouragement to lace the trainers up once again, whilst enjoying and exploring Nene Park.

Wayne Bradley

I started running back in 2013 after having pneumonia, spent 9 days in intensive care then 6 months in home rehab. I now run nearly every day, most of them with Blu (my dog). I enjoy running with others, racing, parkrun (over 350 done) but mainly just me, Blu and my music. 

A fun fact about me is that I am a World Record Breaker holder for most people participating in a virtual marathon – London Marathon 2020. 

I am a Try Running volunteer as this is the place I spend most of my time running and feel everyone should enjoy running no matter what level. I have had pneumonia and ripped all my tendons / muscles in my right ankle (18 weeks in a boot) but, still got back to running. Every person can run and enjoy what we have around us. 

John Newman

I started running with work colleagues in the late 90’s for health benefits after quitting smoking. An opportunity of a charity place for the 1998 London Marathon came my way which was when things started getting serious. After completion I vowed never to do it again, but things changed, and I did it again in 1999 & 2000. A house move to Norfolk separated me from my running buddies but on return to Peterborough in 2004 saw me back in my running shoes. No further marathons followed but I have continued to run up to half marathon distance. 

A fun fact about me is that I ran in the same race as Steve Cramm once……he did it in about half my time! I did, however, overtake Frank Bruno in a London Marathon. 

Having recently gone into semi-retirement I have time on my hands to give to the community and as a Lead Coach in another sport I see the enjoyment that newcomers get from trying new sports they would perhaps not undertake on their own. It also allows me to spend quality time outdoors with like-minded people. 

Leanne

I have been running for almost 10 years, taking part in a variety of races and events from park runs to half marathons! I am part of a local running group (love a chatty run), but also love going out on my own, headphones in, and just running, not worrying about how fast or how far. As well as running, I enjoy long walks with my dog, Nellie (she’s not a running buddy) and spending time with family and friends.

Nicola

I run for fun and find running a great way to explore new places. In 2022 I ran my first half marathon and joined a local running club, and this has encouraged me to enter other events. 

Nathalie Palmer 

I am a member of Thorney Running Club and began running in 2010 to celebrate a big birthday by training for and completing the Great Eastern Run. I haven’t stopped since with many half marathons and one full marathon under my belt.  You will find me at Manor Field, Whittlesey parkrun most Saturday mornings where I am joint Event Director. 

I am a Try Running volunteer as I want to help others improve their physical and mental health through running.