We are very proud to announce that Medway Fit has been named runner up for the Community Project of the Year Award at England Athletics' South East Region Volunteer Awards.

Organised by England Athletics in partnership with regional councils, the Regional Volunteer Awards are an opportunity to celebrate the incredible volunteers and running clubs across the UK. 

The awards recognise the time and commitment volunteers put into their roles within running clubs, ensuring that they can run safely within their communities. 

Split into nine regions across the UK, the award categories are Individuals, Clubs, Projects, Volunteers, Officials, and Club Leaders. This year, Medway Fit was nominated and shortlisted in the Community Project of the Year category for the South East region. 

The category description reads: "This award provides affiliated clubs, RunTogether groups and associated partners a platform to highlight the projects they have put in place that benefit the community. This could be a project that has raised funds for a local charity, supported deprived individuals or engaged with different sectors of the community. This award is more than athletics and running - it is about how projects linked to athletics and running have had a positive impact on the community."
 
Although we didn't win the main award, it is a great honour to come runner up in such an important category.

The award judges said: "Founded in 2013 by athletics determined to make an impact in their local community, this dynamic social running club is based in an area known to have a poor uptake of physical activity for the region. Supported by low running costs, sales of kit, and successful funding bids, membership and the Couch to 5k programmes are free. Medway Fit has created a unique sense of belonging with membership that reflects the diverse cultural and linguistic profile of the area to support physical and mental health for athletes of all. Medway Fit has also formed multiple partnerships with national and local organisations to keep running affordable with a range of discounts available to members." 

​Congratulations all round to those 21 new and returnee runners who graduated from the latest Medway Fit  NHS Couch-to-5k programme by completing Great Lines Parkrun over the past couple of Saturdays! To you, your coaches, run leaders and the wider Medway Fit running community extend a warm welcome to pick up a new habit with us which many have already found to offer great benefits.

So you've done the 9-week course, got a certificate to prove it, maybe even a club tee shirt and can be considered a bonafide ‘runner’. Where do you take it from here? The choice is obviously yours. You can, for example, decide ‘thanks very much, I’ve known how to run since before I can remember, I’m quite capable of doing this on my own, so I’ll take myself off for a run if and when I feel like it’.

Well, true. For some who choose to, but who feel the need for structured post-C25K assistance, there’s always the NHS app where over headphones you can hear the dulcet tones of ‘Laura’ urging you for 30 minutes to modulate your pace, breathing and running posture to a background of suitable-tempo musak. But there’s one major drawback to sustaining the go-it-alone approach: it demands a lot of self-motivation.

Humans are social animals. We do things better when we cooperate in groups. We spur each other on, although we’re barely conscious when it's happening. In a group we are likely to pick up the pace of those of immediately around us and then push it to the edge of our individual comfort zones.

In the process we learn through our feet upwards how our musculoskeletal and cardiorespiratory systems work and how we can improve our physical performance. Best of all, we have mutual support and benefit from shared experience. In the case of Medway Fit - and no doubt this is true in other local running groups too - we’re lucky to have run leaders and coaches trained to England Athletics standard who provide excellent training tips and advice focusing on running technique for all phases of running, be it up-hill, down-hill, road or trail, wet or dry. And that’s for anything from 5k to marathon. 

Always the emphasis is on health and safety to whether that be due to individual physical challenges or simply overstraining yourself. While pushing the boundaries and improving our health and fitness, it’s all about doing  so to your own potential. And it can’t be overstressed that all abilities are welcome. There’s no exclusivity at Medway Fit; all that’s needed is some commitment. That’s a small payment when you consider that (amazingly) all the above is free!

It’s perhaps not surprising therefore how quickly running in a group becomes a habit  - proof that not all habits are bad. This one even has its own highs. In this case, the endorphin rush you can get after a good run is free, legal and wholly beneficial. That’s likely to be better for wellbeing than any drug that you might get for depression, on prescription or otherwise.

Under a bright blue sky and beaming sunshine on Saturday 16th April, #TeamMedway came together at Great Lines parkrun sporting white 'Run for Dee' tops and bright red lipstick to run an extra lap of the hilly parkrun course to raise money for one of our run leaders, Dee Yamoah. 

The 'Lipstick Lap' was organised by Tracy Rodwell to represent the big red lipstick smile Dee was always seen with! The event was incredibly well-attended. Dee is a popular and much-loved core member of Medway Fit but is also very involved in other clubs around Medway. Always an advocate of #TeamMedway, the Lipstick Lap showed just how loved she is throughout the whole Medway running community.

Following parkrun, runners were able to purchase a huge selection of sweet treats, 'Run for Dee' badges, and have a go at the tombola & lucky dip. Everyone joined in and an incredible £877.88 was raised for Dee's recovery. 

The Lipstick Lap was kicked off by some lovely words from Dee's daughter Jade and a big group photo of everyone taking part, fronted by Dee's husband, Harry, and two daughters, Jade and Rihanna. Everyone enjoyed the extra lap of the course and the sea of white around the Great Lines was representative of just how loved Dee is! 

This is just the first event to raise money towards Dee's recovery. Watch this space for the next event and keep a check on our website for availability of the 'Run for Dee' t-shirts and vest tops.  

A blizzard is forecast for 10 am on the Great Lines, Saturday April 16. That’s a blizzard of runners wearing white tee shirts and singlets who will be starting a special extra lap of the otherwise usual Saturday morning parkrun. Their tops will be emblazoned with a ‘Run for Dee’ logo bearing a distinctive red lipstick graphic on the front and #TeamMedway on the back to remind us of Dee Yamoah’s radiant smile and her support for runners and running clubs across Medway.
 
This ‘Lipstick Lap’ is being organised by Tracy Rodwell and the Great Lines Parkrun volunteer group with support from the wider Medway running community to aid Dee’s recuperation from serious illness. Each runner will have paid £20 per top, the profits from which are being donated to the special  ‘Go Fund Me’ project recently set up by Dee’s daughter Rhianna to raise funds to help Dee’s long road to recovery.
 
Throughout 2021, Dee had been suffering chronic head pains and, perhaps exacerbated by the pandemic, was unable to secure the treatment she needed until, eventually, a scan in September revealed the severity of her situation. She was rushed to a London hospital where she underwent emergency surgery and several subsequent operations. She is still in hospital now.
 
Although the deadline for ordering the tops in time for the Lipstick Lap has passed, new orders are still rolling in. At the time of writing, well over 150 running tops had been sold. So we can expect a big turnout on April 16.
 
For all those who have known Dee, such a groundswell of support for her will come as no surprise. Over the years she has been pivotal in actively nurturing a wide interest in the sport of running with clubs and individuals throughout Medway and beyond. 
 
Within Medway Fit, as an enthusiastic champion for the personal fitness and wellbeing benefits that running provides, Dee has played a major role not only as a founder but also as a regular run leader. She embodies the club’s sense of togetherness, inclusivity and true community spirit where runs and training sessions are generally free and open to all abilities.
 
Steadily growing membership and regular attendance at club runs is testimony that this philosophy works. Whether you can run a 5K in 15 minutes, or 50 minutes and more, everybody’s welcome; you’re part of a mutually caring community. Regrettably, at the moment a key member of that community is absent.
 
So Dee, get well and come back as soon as you can. We miss you!

Thanks for reading, contributed by Footblogger - Bob Greenwood

Janice Anderson and Barbara Castle, along with a few other Medway Fit members,  ran the Great South Run in Portsmouth on Sunday 17th October. The pair helped each other through the run and, despite Barbara having an ankle injury, they both really enjoyed it. 

A real sense of team spirit was in the air as both Janice and Barbara supported team mates, Sarah Coleman and Carole Pinder round the course. It was Sarah's longest race and says she is over the moon with what she has achieved. 

Janice said: "The atmosphere was great! I loved getting Sarah to the end as well, she was awesome on the day, as was Barbara and Carole, they did really well. I love when you run with other people who get the best out of each other."

Ayshen and Graeme Rouse also completed the Great South Run, just a week after completing their first marathon in Manchester. 

As one of her favourite races of the year, Janice has already rebooked to run again next year. 

Two of our runners have been chosen to run the Great South Run this weekend, taking place on Sunday 17th October. The 10 mile run takes place along Portsmouth's coast line and events run across the weekend, with the Great South 5K and the Junior Mini Great South Run happening on the Saturday. 

Janice Anderson and Barbara Castle are running the Great South Run on Sunday. They have both run the race before so they know what to expect on the day and what the route is like. 

Janice said: "The last two we have done were brilliant and the weather was good too. Been doing some decent training, including club run last night and hill training this morning. I will also try to run on Friday and do Parkrun on Saturday so will be in a good place to enjoy the Great South Run on Sunday."

Barbara is also looking forward to the run: "I have a bit of an ankle injury at the moment so I'm hoping that won't slow me down - it certainly won't stop me! It's all about crossing the finishing line on Sunday rather than beating times. Being part of such a large running club, there's always brilliant support from them. I'm really looking forward to helping Sarah Coleman round too (she is a new LiRF at Medway Fit) who is also an inspiration for me." 

Look out for Janice and Barbara (and of course, Sarah!) at the Great South Run on Sunday and give them a cheer! We look forward to reporting how they got on next week. 

The biggest marathon in the UK’s running calendar was back on the streets of London this weekend just gone and it was amazing to see so many runners taking part, whether in London or virtually. On my way to a separate race on the day of the London Marathon, we saw so many runners up and out proudly wearing their race numbers taking part in their own virtual race.

The weather was good (unlike the day before) – not too hot, not too cold, gentle breeze and a mix of sun and clouds. I hope you all enjoyed your race and were proud of all your achievements if you took part on Sunday.
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We are super proud to say that some of our Medway Fit runners took part in the London Marathon too! A huge congratulations to each and every one of them. 

​Wendy Black completed the marathon in London in a time of 4:54:28. She ran to raise money for disabled children’s care charity, Demelza and has raised an incredible £1,563 so far. Wendy’s friends surprised her by spectating at Tower Bridge and supplied hugs and loud cheers to keep Wendy going. She said: “The crowds and atmosphere were fantastic. They really get you around the course.”

Kim Harrison, Claire Louise, Vicky Wentworth, and Ash Rudd also ran the marathon but virtually. They planned a route together along the Saxon Shore way from Rainham to Faversham and it was Claire and Vicky’s first marathon. All four of them said they loved the day and that it was a hard but fun route. Kim said: “Great friends, lots of laughs and a well deserved pint and pile of food in a pub at the end!” Just to make it even more interesting, they had to herd a few ponies and sheep out of the way along the route… you don’t get to do that in London! 

​Back in London, Andrew Walker ran his first ever marathon with the masses. Excellent running! Tracey Daniel tackled the Medway towns with her running buddy Amanda on their virtual marathon. And Colin Lewis got up at 3am to start his marathon virtually in Preston, Lancashire!

Running along the Herne Bay and Whitstable coastline, Mandy Watkins, Steven Timcke and Tia Jarvis also completed their virtual London Marathon with a group of friends. 

​And it wasn’t just the London Marathon that took place this weekend, Chester Marathon also went ahead and Chi Hung Sung, known to some as ‘The Slug’, ran his second marathon there after vowing “never again” when he completed it last year. Knocking an incredible 22 minutes off last years’ time, Chi finished in 4:10:19 – definitely a speedy slug! We look forward to seeing a sub 4hr finishing time next year because he’s bound to sign up again! 😉

​Just a few weeks ago, Brighton Marathon also took place, with Sarah Dykes, Colin Lewis, and Ian Knight (the three amigos) finishing the race together, holding hands over the finishing line. Congratulations also go to Philip Trebill, Brian Culver and Andrew Burgess who also completed the Brighton Marathon. Andrew was actually persuaded to take over as the 5hr pacer 10K into the race! 

Huge congratulations to everyone who has completed various marathons and other running achievements over the last few weeks. And good luck to Ayshen and Graeme Rouse who will run their first marathon this weekend in Manchester! The following weekend, I will be attempting my first marathon in Chelmsford. Good luck to anyone else running any races over the next few weeks! Go out there and smash it!

Amy Wallington - LiRF
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See more photos in this slideshow below: 

That was another fantastic morning celebrating our latest group of Couch to 5k athletes graduating at Great Lines parkrun, where we will soon exceed 12,000 runs as a club.

I'd like to thank everybody who has been involved with our 2 Couch to 5k groups this year, leaders, athletes, buddies and supporters.  Special mentions are needed for Zoe and Karen who have been the primary leaders on both courses this year, giving up lots of time and effort to support our new runners.

Couch to 5k always fills me with pride both from seeing the new athletes achieve their goals but also seeing how we pull together as a club to support them.

Looking forward to helping two more new groups in 2019 so if you know anybody who might be interested let them know we will be going again in the Spring.
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#FitFitFit

Richard Pemberton
​Coach in Running Fitness

It was a hot stadium in Ashford where a group of 18 enthusiastic runners were about to become LiRFs. The group included 2 of our own Medway Fit prospects. All ages and all levels of runner were represented.

We started off in the classroom learning the basics about the role of a leader, safety and how to plan a session.

Then it was out on the track to practice presenting a session warm up and learn from each others styles and methods.

After lunch we were back in the classroom for more learning including energy systems, safety (again) and running form. Then we  planned a whole session from warm up to cool down.

Back out on the track we ran our planned sessions on the other groups. Everyone contributing. Each session closed with feedback and constructive comments.

Back in the classroom and all slightly sunburned, we finished off with setting objectives, selecting drills for a 6 week session plan and an introduction to Run Together (no surprises there). Eight hours well spent.

The end result is 2 more LiRFs for all you lovely MFit people.

David Chronnell
Leader in Running Fitness
​Medway Fit