A SPORTS body is hoping to recruit runners and run organisers to help set up new groups.

County Durham Sport already organises 24 running groups and six regular park runs across the county, but hopes to set up more, especially in the Peterlee area.

They want to recruit runners of all ages and abilities as well as running leaders who can motivate and encourage others.

County Durham Sport and England Athletics will support to local communities and local workplaces to set up new running groups and encourage more people to take up more active lifestyles.

Of particular interest to total beginners might be the Couch to 5K programmes, aimed at beginners or lapsed runners to build up from nothing to 5k over a 10 weeks.

Becks Lippe from County Durham Sport says: “Running can be a great way to help you get more active.

“Regardless of your age or fitness level, if you’ve never run before or haven’t run for years, running can be very accessible and flexible.

“It’s not expensive, all you need is a decent pair of trainers and a little bit of encouragement and support”.

Anyone interested in setting up a new running group or becoming a volunteer run leader should contact becks.lippe@countydurhamsport.com for further information.