Try Running offers free beginner running sessions at Thorpe Meadows, Peterborough, run by Nene Park Trust, to create the opportunity for everyone to feel healthy, improve fitness and wellbeing, while enjoying being outside in green spaces.
This activity is good for wellbeing because
- it’s set up as a way to gently build up fitness and become a runner
- it’s social and no one gets left behind
- it’s outside in a beautiful green space so you can enjoy nature as well!
How to contact
Where to go
Rowing Lake Car Park
Peterborough
PE3 6GA UK
What to expect
The goal of Try Running is to take people who are interested in getting into running ‘up to speed’, so to speak!
Every session starts with a warm up and ends with a cool down, and lasts for a maximum of 1 hour.
- For beginners, the run leaders will understand your ability, and go from there. These sessions will get you prepared and comfortable to run 5K within 8 weeks; you might want to move onto parkrun in Ferry Meadows!
- For more experienced runners, there is a monthly session on the first Sunday of the month at 9:00 am for those who want to run 5 miles. This is at Ferry Meadows – meet at the Visitor Centre.
See what a session is like in our video at the bottom of the page.
The first step is to book onto one of the free sessions by clicking here. The booking form will ask you to fill in some details including an emergency contact, and any health issues that could impact your ability to exercise (if there is any doubt, they may ask for your GP’s OK). Online booking closes two days before a session, but if you miss the sign-up deadline, you can just show up, the Try Run leaders will obtain details from you required for you to attend the session.
The sessions are free, but if you drive there is a small cost to park in the Thorpe Meadows/Rowing Lake car park.
There are toilets available near the car park, but no changing facilities, so come dressed to walk/jog/run, in comfortable clothes and trainers. There is a secure place to leave a bag if you need. Bring water!
There are two Try Running volunteers in every session; they will be wearing Try Running t-shirts and standing near a flag (see the photo) so you can spot them. After warm up, one of the volunteers be at the front of the group, and the other at the end, so that no one will be left behind. Groups are kept small so people can get individualised attention if they want. They will talk to you, answer questions, give encouragement, etc!
More information
The Try Running volunteers are all Leadership in Running Fitness qualified, along with first aid and safeguarding certifications. See who they are and read a little about why they are doing this here.
There is a FAQs page here. If you have further questions, please email [email protected]
The Try Running sessions are free.
If you need to park your car, there is a small charge to pay at the car park machines.
What is your first Try Running session like? HAY’s Susan decided to find out:
How to contact
Where to go
Rowing Lake Car Park
Peterborough
PE3 6GA UK
