THE UNIVERSITY of Reading has launched a new weekly club aimed at supporting women as part of its centenary celebrations.
Let’s Lift The Curfew aims to build confidence, fitness and community by bringing together women of all abilities for supportive group runs on campus.
It comes amid the university marking 100 years of the institution’s Royal Charter, and was funded through a grant as part of those celebrations.
It’s also part of Sport England’s This Girl Can, which aims to reach out to women of all backgrounds and ethnicities who feel left behind by traditional exercise.
The running initiative launched on Thursday January 29, with sessions taking place every Thursday evening until late March.
Participants meet outside the Sports Park Pavilion on the Whiteknights campus before following a 3km route led by qualified run leaders, with beginner, intermediate and advanced pace groups available.
David Steers, sport and active wellbeing co-ordinator at the University of Reading SportsPark, said: “There is something special about running together in a group on a winter evening. The conversation, the encouragement, the shared sense of achievement are great motivators.
“As we mark 100 years as a University, built by our local community to understand and study the environment and society, we wanted to create something that brings our student, staff and the local community together in our beautiful environment. We hope women across Reading will join us to see how winter running can be sociable, enjoyable and accessible.”
Sophie Hunt, a University of Reading student who took part in the first session, said: “Running in the dark felt less scary when everyone was together.
“It gave me a real boost after a long day. I wasn’t sure what to expect but the atmosphere was really welcoming and supportive.”
