Side bar:

What you need

Running around in circles is part of the daily rat race for many office workers. No wonder then that by the time hump day comes around, many people would rather go out to party than go jogging. However, no prizes for guessing which will be better for your health in the long run.

The Wednesday Night Running Club was started as a way for runners to get together and train in a somewhat more social atmosphere rather than pounding the pavement alone and also to provide a healthy alternative to the mid-week binge.
 
“We wanted to make it easy for people to come and run with others. One of the goals of the club is to be social, friendly and cater to running enthusiasts of various abilities,” says Justine Plenkiewicz, one of the founders of the group.
 
On Wednesday evenings at 6pm they gather in the World Gym parking lot - rain or shine. The fittest among the fit go for 7,5-mile runs, while beginners can run/walk a three-mile loop.
 
“We encourage beginner runners to set goals for themselves and try to go a little farther every week,” says Justine.
 
The more experienced runners (who tend to be gluttons for punishment) also get together for interval training on Monday evenings.
 
Although the main aim of the group is to provide a friendly and social running atmosphere, there is a competitive streak in even the most mild-mannered runner and the group fosters a spirit of friendly competition.
 
“We organise teams for various relay races, like the marathon and the cross-Island relay,” says Justine.
 
Last year the club also hosted a series of two three-mile handicap races, with runners aiming to overcome a preassigned handicap over the two races. This allowed runners of all abilities to compete on level footing, with two less experienced runners taking the titles.
 
For anyone keen to gain a bit of fitness and meet some new, if slightly sweaty, people, the Wednesday Night Running Club might be just the thing.   WH

For more information contact wednesdaynightrunningclub@gmail.com