Active Together Leicester-Shire and Rutland have announced details of the local launch of a new nationwide running initiative.

The national running network, Run in England, has been introduced to encourage people of all ages, abilities, shape and size to dust off their trainers and get running.

This initiative has been organised by a partnership of Leicester-Shire and Rutland Sport Active Together Team, Leicester City Council, Rutland County Council and local England Athletics Clubs.

Run In England is also looking for people to train as Run Leaders and lead regular running groups. These groups are part of a nationwide programme for people who are new to running.

Anybody interested in becoming a run leader will need to attend a Leadership in Running Fitness course at the Saffron Lane Athletics track in Leicester on Saturday February 6, 2009.

Support will then be given to enable run leaders to launch community running groups across the region later that month.

Andy Reed MP Chair of Leicester-Shire and Rutland Sport added his support:

“This is a great opportunity to become active and meet new people who are all starting to make running part of their lifestyle. With Sport Relief just around the corner this could be the incentive to get the trainers out of the cupboard as part of your 2010 New Year resolutions.”

For more information on how to apply for the course, please contact Sam Beare at sbeare@runningengland.co.uk or Andrew Watson on a.watson4@lboro.ac.uk or telephone 01509 564872.

Application forms are also available online from the England Athletics website at www.englandathletics.org.

All applicants for the run leader positions will need to carry out a Criminal Records Bureau check.

To find out more information about joining a group, becoming a leader or forming a partnership with Run In England, please contact the RIE team at www.runinengland.co.uk