A new group, Lindley Road Runners, has recently been set up to promote running in the Lindley area.

Lindley Road Runners is affiliated to UK Athletics, the governing body for the sport of athletics in the United Kingdom. Lindley Road Runners, as an official UK Athletics club, is separate but complimentary to Acre Street Runners, a fast-growing, Lindley-based club which was founded by Richard Plunkett and Snehal Patel. Richard is also Secretary of Lindley Road Runners.

Membership of Lindley Road Runners will be available to all existing and new members of Acre Street Runners, and will be aimed at those who wish to take part in UK Athletics registered events, where they will also be able to receive a discount.

By being affiliated to UK Athletics, the club and members will receive a number of benefits, including the ability to contest club competitions, insurance and resources and training programmes to support club development. Membership fees will also subsidise the costs of coach training. In return for the support, the membership fees will be received by UK Athletics.

The annual Lindley 10k race, which takes place in June, is a Lindley Road Runners and Lindley Community Group event. Lindley Road Runners members will also receive a 10% discount on entry to the event.

The new club will aim to build on the popularity of Acre Street Runners, which regularly attracts over 60 participants each session. The inspiration for Acre Street Runners came from Richard Plunkett in November 2013, whilst he was recovering from surgery. The clubs will work closely together to promote running opportunities in Lindley.

Acre Street Runners was formed in January 2014 and participation in the weekly Thursday run has grown through online presence, publicity from flyers and through word of mouth. The club is affiliated to the Association of Running Clubs. Richard Plunkett said:

“The club has grown from just a bunch of people who fancied a run one cold January evening. Although numbers have now grown way beyond expectations, the ethos remains the same; to encourage those who are new to running, or are returning after a long absence.”

The club recently started a ‘zero to 5k hero’ programme, with support from sports development officers at Kirklees Council. It is a 9 week fitness programme which takes place every Saturday between 10am and 11am in Greenhead Park.

Councillor Burke (Lib Dem, Lindley), who has supported the running clubs and promoted sports and physical opportunities in Lindley, also joins Martyn Cooper-Jones as joint Race Directors for the successful annual Lindley 10k and Lindley Fun Run. Cllr Burke said:

“Lindley Road Runners exists to provide an opportunity to runners to join a running club which is affiliated to UK Athletics.

Lindley Road Runners aim to promote running, support individual runners and further complements existing informal running organisations in the Lindley area of Huddersfield.

I’ve been a keen runner for many years, completing marathons and half marathons and helping to raise money for a number of charities, so I’m glad that others have the same passion in running as me. The groups offer an excellent means for people to improve their fitness and meet new people.”

Acre Street Runners meet every Thursday at 7pm outside Acre Street convenience store (near the Bay Horse pub), in Oakes, Huddersfield.

Those interested in joining Lindley Road Runners can download a membership form at: www.lindley10k.org.uk. Hard copies of the forms are also available from Lindley Library.