Spring off the couch in Redditch

The latest batch of FREE Couch to 5k courses are due to start this month across the Borough, including courses in new areas.

The 9-week course is designed for absolute beginners, so whether you've never run before, or you want to get back into being more active, Couch to 5K is an easy way of getting fitter and healthier.

Redditch Borough Council Sports Development Officer, Hayley Gwilliam, said: “Couch to 5K is always one of our most popular activities we offer at the council, and it is perfect for those wanting to start their fitness journey over the spring/summer period when it’s lighter and warmer (hopefully!) evenings.”

The council’s Sports Development team have held ‘Kit Bank’ collections in the build up to the courses starting in new areas, in order to break down barriers to participation.

Thanks to the amazing response from the public, the council is now able to distribute a large amount of sports kit to areas where new Couch to 5k courses are starting.

The kit will be available to collect for FREE at the following locations from Saturday May 3^rd 2025:

• Batchley Support Group, 21 Salters Lane, Batchley, Redditch, B97 6JY.
• Oasis in Woodrow, Unit 3 Woodrow Centre, Redditch, B98 7RY.
• Inspire Support Services, Studio 7, Winyates Craft Centre, Fownhope Close, Winyates, Redditch, B98 0NR.

Anyone that wants to ditch the couch and start running are welcome at any session, you don’t need to book, and sessions are completely FREE! Starting Sunday 11^th May 2025:

• Sundays 10am - The Abbey Track
• Mondays 10am - Stitch Meadow, Arrow Valley Lake
• Mondays 7:30pm - The Abbey Track
• Wednesdays 6:30pm - Matchborough Pond (NEW)
• Wednesdays 7:30pm - The Abbey Track
• Thursday 6.30pm - 'The Field' Woodrow, meet by Studley Road car park (NEW)
• Thursday 7pm - Stitch Meadow, Arrow Valley Lake
• Friday 9:30am - Batchley Pond, meet by the play park (NEW)
• Saturdays 9am - Morton Stanley Park

The weekly sessions are led by Run Leaders who hold official qualifications from England Athletics and provide a course which is fully endorsed by the NHS.

You can mix and match which session you attend each week or attend the same session consistently, it's up to you. The advice is to try and complete the session 3 times a week to build up your fitness and achieve the end goal of running 5K.

For more information see Couch to 5K or contact Sports Development on 01527 881404 or sd@bromsroveandredditch.gov.uk.