Have you discovered running as a way of keeping fit during lockdown? Do you need a challenge to keep you motivated?

Do you want some structure to improve your running, by getting fitter and faster?

Then perhaps Foxy’s 5km challenge is just what you have been looking for.

Manx distance runner and coach, Andy Fox, has prepared a training plan to improve people’s running fitness with a monthly 5km challenge to monitor their progress.

Round one will open between Thursday, June 4 to Monday, June 8 where individuals can choose their location and time, and simply let their legs do the talking.

The training plan will be published each Thursday to help sharpen up fitness and will include a variety of running sessions to fit around personal schedules. There will also be additional running hints and tips to help along the way.

All runners are welcome to get involved, from those who have recently started, to those who run regularly and would have competed in local races and park runs.

The results of each monthly challenge will be judged via both time and age grading, allowing runners to compare results across ages and gender. Those participating don’t need to be part of a running club, the idea is simply to support, motivate and inspire people to kickstart or maintain fitness levels in the current situation.

Andy highlights the need to respect social distancing rules and maintain ’runners responsibility’ by being the proactive one when meeting others on runs. Where possible opt for quieter routes and times of the day to take on your sessions and challenges.

All runners, joggers, keep-fitters or former couch potatoes are invited to take part. If you are interested please email [email protected] to register your interest by this coming Monday, May 11 and the first edition of the weekly training plan will be forwarded to you.

All results will be published on the IoM Athletics website and Facebook page. They will also feature in future editions of the newspapers.