A team of 40 Suffolk residents previously classed as inactive are well on their way to realising their dream of taking on a half marathon this Autumn.

The participants in the Simplyhealth Great East Run Outreach Programme are currently receiving expert coaching as they prepare to take on Suffolk's greatest half marathon on Sunday 22 September along with 4,000 fellow runners.

The initiative is part of Suffolk County Council's quest to become the most active county in England, and has been successfully carried out at previous events in 2017 and 2018.

To be eligible for a place on the programme participants must have been classed as inactive, which is doing less than 30 minutes of moderate or vigorous activity per week.

The programme includes weekly supported training sessions by experienced local run coaches, exclusive discount on all running footwear and clothing at a local sports store, gait analysis and advice on the most appropriate footwear to suit participants walking and running style, fast-track physiotherapy support, nutrition advice and entry into the Twilight 10K, as well as entry into the Simplyhealth Great East Run in September.

Participants also receive an extensive programme of support from experienced run coaches with expert advice and guidance from double Olympic long-distance runner Paul Evans.

Paul represented Great Britain in the 10,000m at Barcelona 1992 and Atlanta 1996 Olympiads, and currently stands fifth in the UK marathon records having won the Chicago Marathon in 1996.

Bridget Goldstone and her husband Barry make up the coaching team alongside Paul, and the Suffolk resident is delighted to see the results the Outreach Programme brings each year.

She said: "This is our third year leading the coaching team for the outreach programme and it has been so rewarding to see not only people achieving their running goals, but how much they grow in confidence and their mental health improves.

"We particularly like to coach those new to running as with the combination of our skills we love to see them grow so much and we are both passionate about helping people to live a more active, happier and healthy lifestyle."

Entries are still open for the Simplyhealth Great East Run, to enter visit greatrun.org/east.