You may have noticed we regularly feature our numerous racing successes in this column, and very proud we are of them too! Taking stock of our contribution to the health and wellbeing of the wider community goes far beyond promoting Paphos as a centre of athletic excellence however, so this month, despite some tremendous performances in the Cyprus International 4-Day challenge, especially by our ladies’ team, the focus is not on our racing successes.
Charity
In 2022 we raised over 7,000 Euros for Breast Cancer Support (Breast of Friends), by arranging numerous fund-raising activities. These included coffee mornings, charity walks and individual challenges – always with a physical exercise theme – generously sponsored by our members and the general public.
Health
We have also organised several very gradual fitness initiatives for complete beginners and those rediscovering the benefits of exercise. This includes some who have had long voluntary spells of inactivity, or in many cases have needed post-surgery or post-illness rehabilitation programmes.
For example, the recently completed “Sole Sisters” 9-week Couch to 5km initiative took 15 new members from zero exercise up to running 5kms, and a similar beginners’ cycling initiative has enabled several novice riders to ride to Aphrodite’s Rock and back, a distance of 50kms.
Motivation
A couple of weeks ago 9 of our Sole Sisters, motivated by taking part in previous couch to 5km initiatives, completed a 12-week programme and progressed to completing the Half-Marathon distance of 21.1 kms, an exceptional achievement by any standard!
In a similar vein, on the cycling agenda for the spring is a group who are motivated to ride to Troodos and Mount Olympus.
Aspirations
Again and again people tell us they would not have believed they could achieve what, with our guidance encouragement and support, they have in fact been able to achieve.
What are your aspirations? What could you achieve with the right guidance encouragement and support in 2023? If you want to find out – get in touch!
Paphos Park Run 4th December
With the Coastal path NW of the harbour closed for repair, we rapidly measured out a route in the opposite direction on the coastal path and the well supported event went off without a hitch and as usual we won several age groups.
There will be no Park Run on New Year’s Day, but don’t miss our next Park Run for runners and walkers, which will be on the first Sunday in February, starting near the Fort in Paphos harbour.
Paphos 5km Park-Run 8am Sunday 5th February
Course Records: Men 16m:32s Women 17m:24s
Enter FREE via the Paphos Running Club Website
REGISTER ONCE FOR THE WHOLE SERIES
BRING YOUR BAR-CODE EVERY TIME
Contacts:
See our Facebook Page, or better still, come along 08:00 any Saturday to Coral Bay Bus Terminus for an all-abilities activity, followed by breakfast in the Frog and Toad.
www.paphosrunningclub.org
Facebook: Paphos Running Club
President Sue Cordrey +357-9763-8375
Running Captain Allan Devereux +357-9998-3352
Walking Captain Truus Shannon +357-9676-3708
