Women’s 5k series launched
COMING up with different ways to stay active and healthy in the current climate is on everyone’s minds. As the ever popular Sligo Sport & Recreation Partnership SuperValu Women’s 5K Series couldn’t be held in its usual format, Sligo Sport and Recreation Partnership (SSRP) in association with SuperValu and with the support from local athletics clubs have developed an alternative plan to get the women of Sligo walking, jogging and running.
The clubs include Sligo AC, North Sligo AC, Calry AC, Tireragh AC, Corran AC, South Sligo AC and Sligo County Athletics Board.
The SSRP SuperValu Women’s New Way 5K is a six week virtual 5k training programme for women of all ages and fitness abilities throughout county Sligo.
Any women interested can register on eventbrite before Wednesday, June 17th and access one of one of the three tailored training programmes available.
The ‘Running Rookie’ programme targets beginners whose main goal is to complete the 5K distance at the end of the six week training block.
This beginner walk to run programme will also include a series of podcasts available to download which detail the various training sessions which women who are new to walking/jogging and running can follow easily and safely.
‘Breaking 30’ is the intermediate training plan aimed at women whose goal is to try and run their timed 5K in under 30 minutes while the ‘Speed Queen’ advanced training option is for women who are targeting a sub 25 minute 5K at the end of the six week training block.
Each training programme contains three weekly sessions.
Women who are already running regularly and following their own training plans are also welcome to register for the initiative and participate in one of the timed walk/jog/run sessions being delivered by the various athletic clubs in their localities during the final week in July.
Each of the women who register for the programme can select to participate in a timed 5K of their choice on Tuesday, July 28th supported by one of the various athletics clubs closest to their own location.
Alternatively, following the training programme there is an option for women to run their 5K in their own time during the final week in July and submit their time to SSRP.
The training programmes and timed walk/jog/run 5K sessions are free, those who would like to receive a commemorative Women’s New Way 5K running vest to remind them of their experience during this unique time they can do so with the vest.
The launch of the initiative took place on Thursday.
Speaking on behalf of SSRP
Sports Co-ordinator Deirdre Lavin said: “Enabling women to get and stay active through the New Way 5K format is a great initiative and would not be possible without the collective effort of all the athletic clubs throughout the County and to our sponsor SuperValu.
“Staying active for health and wellbeing is very important during the current climate and I would encourage women of all fitness levels to get involved and enjoy the many social and fitness benefits arising from being active”.
Speaking on behalf of the SuperValu stores in Tubbercurry, Ballisodare, Ballymote and Grange, Gearoid Surlis said: “SuperValu has been associated with supporting the Women’s 5K Series for a number of years and we are delighted that it is happening this year in this new format.
“Supporting communities through healthy and active lifestyles is important and events like this is welcome particularly in these times”.
So to all females, whether you’re a running rookie, a speed queen or maybe something in between, come and join the SSRP SuperValu Women’s New Way 5K and get moving the Sligo way and in line with Government advice with regard to Covid-19.