Running

It's always a great time to explore all the parks, paths and trails across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland - whether you're looking to get started with a beginner running group, take part in a local parkrun, or even join a running club. Running can be fun, sociable and one of the cheapest activities around.

See Also:: Athletics

Get Involved

An Overview of Running

For the majority of people, running is a way to keep fit as it can be done at any pace, over any distance. But at a competitive level there are many different distances for events, from the 100m to ultra-marathons, all of which require different training and techniques.

With so many scenic places to explore, running gives you the chance to take in your surroundings, allowing you to practice mindfulness and clear your mind. This is a great way boost your mood. Make the most of the season and enjoy the great outdoors! Visit our running page for more information.

Active Together believe running / jogging is for everyone and is most fun when shared with others. Try one of our group runs to find out for yourself...

Benefits

Regular running can reduce your risk of chronic illnesses, such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes and stroke
It can also boost your mood
Helps to keep your weight under control
Running also helps to get rid of excessive adrenalin and other stress hormones, boosts your mood and keeps you fit
Promotes strong bones and strengthens muscles
It's free!

To feel the full benefits, make sure you warm up, cool down and stretch, before and after every session. Exercise tips on how to do this can be found using the NHS exercise guide.

Costs

Running is for everyone. It is the perfect way to get active - it's free and you can start right outside your front door. Comfortable sports clothing and a suitable pair of trainers is all you need.

Involvement

If you are new to running, or you've not been active for a while, you may want to build your fitness levels gently by walking before you move on to running. Couch to 5K is a free nine-week running plan from NHS Change 4 Life especially designed for people who want to work on their fitness levels. Or if you prefer to run with friends, you can find a beginners running group in your local area here.

Adaptations and Equipment

Running requires very little equipment, but a good pair of comfortable running shoes that suit your foot type will reduce the risk of injury.

Choose How You Move

Consider the different travel options available to you including Walking and Cycling.

Contact your local Physical Activity, Health & Wellbeing Team

Across Leicestershire, Leicester & Rutland the Physical Activity, Health & Wellbeing Teams are providing opportunities to support you to become more active.

Couch to 5K

NHS Couch to 5K will help you gradually work up towards running 5km in just 9 weeks.

Daily Boost

The Daily Boost aims to encourage children and young people to do 15 minutes of organised activity at school every day, benefiting their long-term physical and mental health and wellbeing.

Holidays Together

Leicestershire Holidays Together is a free and exciting Department for Education-funded holiday programme for school-aged children and young people

Run Together

Running / jogging is for everyone and is most fun when shared with others. Try one of our Leicestershire, Leicester & Rutland group runs to find out for yourself...

Let's Get Moving for Less!

A one-stop shop for free/low-cost opportunities to be active within Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland.

This Girl Can

No one gets to choose how you exercise other than you. Your body, your call. And whatever that looks like, we think it’s worth celebrating. This Girl Can, funded by The National Lottery, believes th

Let's Lift The Curfew returns for 2024!

Wed, 23 Oct 2024 11:00

GoodGym Leicester

"Do Good Get Fit" Goodgym Leicester are a community of people who get fit doing good by combining exercise with positive social impact.

De Montfort University

DMU offers the perfect combination of award-winning teaching, world-class facilities and a fantastic student experience.

De Montfort University Running Club

Abbey Park, Leicester

Abbey Park is Leicester’s premier park and lies approximately one mile north of the city centre. Perfect for walks and picnics.

Leicester Victoria parkrun

A free, fun, and friendly weekly 5k community event. Walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate – it's up to you!

Victoria Park

Victoria Park was the city's race course until 1883, the park now has thoughtfully laid out pathways shaded by avenues of trees dividing its 69 acres of open parkland.

Includes an Outdoor Gym.

Leicester City Football Club Community Trust

Leicester City in the Community (LCitC) is an independent, registered charity. LCitC harnesses the power of football to inspire individuals to achieve their full potential.

University Of Leicester

Our university was founded almost a hundred years ago in the aftermath of the Great War. The men and women who built this new institution hoped that it would be not only a living memorial to the darkness of their recent past, but a beacon of hope for the

Cannons Health Club

Spinney Hill Park

Created in 1885, Spinney Hill Park is a popular park with 34 acres of sloping parkland with walks under shady tree avenues, playgrounds and ball courts..

Includes and Outdoor Gym.

Braunstone parkrun

A free, fun, and friendly weekly 5k community event. Walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate – it's up to you!

Active Leicester

Active Leicester encompasses all sports in the city.

Beaumont RC Road & Endurance

Craven Recreational Gym & Trim Trail

Braunstone Park

The 168 acres of Braunstone Park are a reminder of Braunstone’s pastoral heritage with large areas of well-established open parkland, woodlands spinneys and meadows.

Includes Outdoor Gym Equipment.

Active Leicester: Braunstone And Rowley Fields

The Active Leicester: BRF project offers residents of the Braunstone and Rowley Fields ward of Leicester City aged 14+ the opportunity to take part in free sport and physical activity sessions; all delivered locally by supportive 'Activators'.

Aylestone Meadows

Aylestone Meadows forms the southern end of the Leicester riverside that stretches through the heart of the city to Watermead Country Park in the north.

Sir Jonathan North Community College

Sir Jonathan North College is an Outstanding all girls College based in Leicester.

Humberstone Park

Humberstone Park with its attractive gardens, popular children’s play area and sunken garden was opened in 1925.

Ravenhurst Primary School

We are a Leicestershire Primary School with 519 children on roll - aged 4 to 11. We do a range activities such as Activate, The Daily Mile, BBC Supermovers, Go Noodle and HBSSPAN Virtual Challenges.

Discovery Schools Academy Trust

Mossdale Meadows

Mossdale Meadows is one of our larger parks. It is quite a varied park, with a good range of sports equipment and pitches, as well as plenty of natural areas.

Beaumont Park

Beaumont Park’s large landscaped open spaces are dotted with small woodlands and wildlife areas, close to Beaumont Leys Shopping centre.

Runday

A running group organisation.

Millfield Academy

Primary School part of the LEAD Academy Trust. Member of the HBSSPAN. 2 form entry Reception to Year 6.

Jesse Jackson Park

Includes an Outdoor Gym

Knighton Park

This beautiful and popular 78 acre park has become one of the city's most popular feature.

Includes an Outdoor Gym.

Birstall Running Club

Evington Park

Once a private estate with a large house built in 1836 Evington Park was opened as a public park in 1946.

Hamilton Park

Hamilton Park is an attractive 39 acre park on the north east side of Leicester. A lake, and grass areas provide an accessible, restful, natural green space with great views.