The Dorset Doddlers Running Club now have two newly qualified Coaches in Running Fitness (CiRF). Shams Wahab and Paul Russell have both recently passed their England Athletics assessments after months of hard work and training, both within the club and individually.

Shams and Paul have both been members of the Doddlers for a number of years, and were both qualified Leaders in Running Fitness (LiRF). By progressing to CiRF they now join Head Coach Ian Pollard as being able to coach runners in the club.

Having qualified coaches enables the club to teach the latest, most advanced and safe techniques as recommended by England Athletics which a great boost for current members and to help attract new members to the club. The assessment required three main areas to be passed. The coaches had to prepare a one-hour training session focusing on the main areas of coaching; a warm-up followed by drills leading to a running focused main unit and finishing with a cool down. The second part of the assessment was an eight-week plan to improve an existing runner, with running form and a running goal being the outcome. Finally, Shams and Paul had to pass a knowledge test.

– The Dorset Doddlers run a free Couch To 5K course, with the next programme beginning Monday, January 10 in Sturminster Newton. For more detailsor to register for the C25K please see www.dorsetdoddlers.co.uk.