A COURSE to help beginners start running and increase their fitness is being organised in Minehead from next week.

Kevin Garner, a UK Athletics run leader in the town, has set up a special Couch to 5k – also known as C25K – group, as part of an initiative promoted by the NHS.

“Several people recently asked if I could set one up. Someone said to me they had downloaded the [NHS] App but not started. Many others start it but fail to finish as it can be a lonely experience,” said Kevin.

“To try to help, I am starting a C25K series.”

Kevin is a committee member of Minehead Running Club, but said this was a separate venture as they did not want to put beginners off, although some people from the club will help.

There will be nine sessions of about 30 minutes each, starting on Tuesday (February 4) at 6pm, meeting at the entrance to Minehead Community Hospital.

Anyone can turn up, and there is a £15 charge for all nine sessions, including a Minehead Running Together T-shirt, said Kevin.

He said the NHS has created an app for use on smartphones, which guides runners through each session, so if they miss one they can run it in their own time and keep up with the group. The group, and group leaders, are always there to support, he said.