TAUNTON Running Club’s ‘Couch to 5K’ group graduated last Sunday when 35 runners ran the 5K around Longrun Meadow. 

It took eight weeks of careful training to reach this standard and the graduates will now join the other members of the club on the regular runs. 

With such a large influx of runners, the club has had to create four new running groups, each with a leader.

Each runner received a medal and a certificate to mark their achievement and many will start training for their first 10k.

The running club already has a huge list of those wishing to take part in the next ‘Couch to 5K’ programme that begins in the spring.

Couch to 5k graduates: Carol Clarke, Nicky Huntley, Roshanthi Redwood, Angela Henderson, Katy Ratcliffe, Jessica Francis, Deborah Cocklin, Georgina Norman, Claire Nicholls, Karen Greasley, Jackie Henderson, Lorraine Warren, Vicky Chorley, Di Glover, Donna Carter, Julie Burton, Irene Loud, Laura McKechnie, Helen Berry, Ashleigh Hancock, Alison Courtney, Luce Rush, Tracy Noble, Kate Willshire, Alice Rose Foster, Sheena Grinter, Trevor Stark, Flo Bridges, Harriet George, Tara Payne, Kerry Trunks, Kerry Lang, Julie Compton, Audrey Allerston, Helen MacGregor.

n ANDY White was the first Hydro Harrier home at Longrun Meadow Parkrun on Saturday, in 20:33, putting him 20th out of 436 runners, with Charlotte Norman home in 29 minutes to place 203rd. 

Meanwhile, at Valentine’s, in Ilford, Rowland Lyons was first in the M55 age category, recording 24:09, and 35th out of 241.

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AFTER a rush of racers last weekend, this one saw only one Running Forever athlete tackle an organised race. 

Claire Allison was in Dorset for the Dark Moors 10-mile race organised by White Star Running. 

This was a night trail race so, well done, Claire, on an excellent finishing time of two hours and 12 minutes. 

A lack of organised events didn’t mean the good people of RFRC were idle, and the club took the opportunity to have a Club Colours Run at the Longrun Meadow parkrun to promote the Beginners Running group, which starts this week - 45 club members ran or volunteered in their club kit.

There were also parkrun tourists in Seaton, Andover and Burnham.

The first of the club organised races, the Humdinger and Hurtle, take place on Sunday, February 11. 

The Humdinger is a 13.1-mile road race with some pretty big hills and amazing views with its little brother, the Hurtle, being five miles. 

Finishers in both get a medal and a T-shirt.

Entries are now open via Full On Sport or follow the link on www.runningforeverrunningclub.org.uk

The club are also looking for marshals to keep runners safe and supported on the routes, so please get in touch if you can help out.