AAI website Athletics Ireland is pleased to announce the 30 groups who will take part in the Fit4Life Programme for 2007. The Fit4Life Programme is a joint initiative between Athletics Ireland and the Irish Sports Council under their Women in Sport initiative. The Fit4Life Programme is aimed at recreational runners. From the evidence of events such as the Women’s Mini Marathon, there are thousands of ‘recreational runners’ in the country, but many of these are not members of any club. Feedback from the 2006 Fit4Life Programme strongly supported the idea of having a support structure for these ‘recreational runners’ where they can enjoy all the benefits of running in a social, safe and organised environment and also receive tips and advice on training etc.
Following on from this Athletics Ireland in conjunction with the Irish Sports Council are hoping to encourage athletic clubs to set up a section in their club entitled Fit4Life to cater for recreational runners. These are runners who enjoy training and competing in open events for personal challenge and enjoyment. They see running as a means of getting and staying fit but they would like to avail of the company of other like minded runners. Athletic clubs are the ideal vehicle for runners like this to pursue their interest and get advice and encouragement as they train
The success of this Programme in a club will depend on the people who lead it. Athletics Ireland is providing support to all of the participating clubs to help them establish a Fit4Life Programme in their club. The first step is to provide training for the individuals who will organise the Programme. These people will be known as’Fit4LifeLeaders’. Athletics Ireland is running a training course for potential leaders from each of the clubs. Each club can send three people to the course free of charge. The Fit4Life Leader Training Course will be held in the ALSA Complex, near Dublin Airport on Saturday October 13th from 10am to 4pm.
The following are the successful applicants for the Fit4Life Meet n Train Programme:
Fingallians AC/ Swords Meet and Train
Raheny Shamrock AC
Star of the Sea
Trim AC
Dunboyne AC
Sligo AC
St.John Bosco AC
Ballinamore AC
Donegal Athletic Board
Inishowen AC
West Waterford AC
Carrick-on-Suir AC
Kilkenny City Harriers
Liscarroll AC
Tralee Harriers
Bantry AC
Cork IT
An Riocht AC
Lucan Harriers
St. Abbans
Clondalkin AC
Tallaght AC
Rathfarnham WSAF AC
Athenry AC
Craughwell AC
Galway City Harriers
Crusaders AC
Sli Culainn
Kilmore AC
Fitzpatrick’s Running Club
