Blackpool Freedom Runners

So, what's it like when you book on a session for the first time with Blackpool Freedom Runners?
The second that you finally pluck up the courage to push that button and choose to join a session, a wave of panic overcomes you. Your mind fills with questions and worries - What if I'm not fast enough? I'm probably going to finish last and everyone has gone! I don't know anyone, will anyone speak to me? Will I get lost on the route?
All of these concerns, and possibly others are of course not necessary but no amount of being told don't worry everything will be alright it rolls back to "They don't know me so how do they know I'll be alright?" The answer is simple, we know ourselves!
No one at Blackpool Freedom Runners cares how fast or slow you are, we are all runners and support each other's efforts.
In every event someone finishes first and someone finishes last. Does everyone point and laugh at the Olympian who has just finished 8th out of 8? No, and we support from first to last whoever they are and whatever their pace.
Our events have a booking in system so you need to speak to the Run Leader on arrival who will in turn speak to you and introduce you to others who will in turn speak to you. The system tells us you're a new runner and so we will look after you before, during and after the event just as we do with every runner whether they're a first timer or been with us for years.
The routes are quite simple to follow and someone will guide you through the session by being close to you.
Best advice ever - Don't worry, be happy! Push the button and come along for a session with us 👍🖤🧡🖤🧡🖤🧡

This week our spotlight falls on one of our stalwarts of Blackpool Freedom Runners, Claire Large.
Claire has been with the group since it's early days and has attended over 500 sessions with us and joined us for many of our challenges we have attempted. During this time Claire has also taken on the challenge of many events including the Chester Marathon, Manchester Marathon, Granny's Bay Challenge, Trimpell 20 mile to mention just a few. However, Claire falls into that category of runner who does her own thing but unknowingly supports and inspires others in doing so. Her encouragement of other runners whether on an event or a session is second to none and there's always a huge smile to greet you.
If anyone was to ask "What is a Blackpool Freedom Runner like?" then I cannot think of a finer example than Claire. Well done on your achievements and many thanks for all of your support and enthusiasm you bring.

Starting near the boating lakes, Fleetwood on an out and back course that turned near Uncle Tom's Cabin, Carl took on the challenge of the Fleetwood Half Marathon
On what seemed like a lovely day, Carl set off only to find out that once again the weather was being sneaky and it was actually much hotter than it seemed. However, this did not deter him and he continued on completing the course in a very respectable 2:19:25.
Well done Carl a great achievement 👍

2 huge events on the fortnightly calendar this time!
It's our birthday 🥳 so we celebrate by running. Full details will be on BFR discussion page but it's laps of Herons Reach - your choice of how many.
It's also the Brian House Night Run. This event is always popular with BFR runners and we always have a huge group photo by the Beach House. If you're not booked in yet, then now is the time to do so. Run, jeff or walk it's your choice but let's give the event our usual support.
Of course in between all of this we have our usual selection of sessions for you to choose from.

Well done to everyone who took part and congratulations to the 4 runners who achieved a PB

Any running event requires volunteers and parkrun is a prime example.
Blackpool Freedom Runners thank the 15 members of our group who sacrificed their run to allow others to enjoy a parkrun at Blackpool and Fleetwood this morning

So, this week our spotlight shines very brightly on one of our Run Leaders Amanda.
Many years ago I was given advise that if you are thanking or mentioning people and are worried you might not mention them all and offend someone then it's best to not mention anyone but just be very general in your comments. I am today going to break that advise as Amanda has done that much within our running group it would be impossible for me to mention it all and being general does no service to her dedication and hard work that Amanda puts in to improve running for so many. A testimony to this is that it has proven almost impossible to get a photo of Amanda on her own!
Amanda started with us on the couch to 5k and it was very clear we had a star amongst us. Instantly Amanda was not only taking on her own challenges but actively encouraging others to join her on the journey. Having qualified as a Run Leader Amanda immediately set about helping us with our Mental Health and organised many events and sessions to improve our mental well being. Not being satisfied with being BFR's Mental Health Champion, Amanda is now one of a very small number of England Athletics Mental Health Ambassadors so she is able to impact not just our group but others up and down the country as well.
As previously stated I am not going to mention all of Amanda's achievements but with our group she leads the very popular recovery session on Monday and the jeffing session on Friday. Amanda has arranged special sessions including the River Wyre Run. Who can forget the bingo challenge to keep us all active when many give up during the dark nights.
I think her crowning achievement was in leading the Lake District Ultra Challenge where Amanda (alongside Emma), organised training runs and gave endless encouragement to her huge band of followers for months before they went on to complete an Ultra Marathon in the Lake District which most wouldn't even have considered previously never mind succeed in.
This has the danger of being an incredibly long post (if it hasn't already done so) because her input has been that enormous.
Please fill in the gaps I have left and let's all celebrate a fantastic Run Leader who is shining this week in our spotlight - Amanda.
On behalf of our group we thank you from the bottom of our hearts 🖤🧡🖤🧡🖤🧡🖤🧡🖤🧡🖤🧡

Blackpool Freedom Runner Alicia Jones enjoyed a short time off her ship this weekend and took advantage by taking part in the Southampton Running Festival.
Competing in the 5k event Alicia managed a superb time of 23:36 placing her as 1st in her category and second female finisher overall.
I am sure that she also enjoyed running in a very special area as the event takes place on Southampton Common which is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) because of its 223 acres of diverse habitats—including broadleaved woodlands, rough grasslands, ponds, wetlands, and lakes. The area supports an exceptional range of native wildlife, most notably holding one of the largest and most significant populations of the nationally rare great crested newt in Britain.
Well done Alicia

Some fantastic efforts this week.
Heather makes it on the board for the second week running.
Peter is amazing us with his efforts having recently graduated the couch to 5k programme and is making massive strides forwards. We presume Chris is now residing in Germany as his recent parkruns have been there having joined us for a few sessions in 2021 and 2022. I hope he sees this and lets us know how he's getting on.
Well done to every runner this weekend and a special congratulations to our 3 PB achievers

This weekend several of our runners took on the challenge and enjoyment to Run The Lights.
In the 10k event Kathryn Chester managed a superb time of 50:36 with Liz Stott achieving a creditable 1:01:19 and Carl Bennett an equally creditable 1:03:24.
In the 5k event we had Patrick Higgins 31:00, Wendy Booth 40:20, Della Evans 40:20 and Heather Pullen 44:22 all of which deserves our congratulations.
Well done everyone