A ‘Walk-Jog-Run’ partnership in Moray, that is thought to be the first of its kind in Scotland, has just launched its own user-friendly website. The unique voluntary partnership between Walk Moray, jogscotland Moray, and Moray’s three Running Clubs (Forres Harriers, Keith and District AAC, and Moray Roadrunners) is supported by the Moray Council and NHS Grampian and aims to promote Moray as the perfect area in Scotland for social outdoor exercise.
The concept was the brainchild of a local runner who saw the idea of walk- jog-run partnership as the best way to ensure a co-ordinated approach in the area. Nick Brown, who is current spokesman for jogscotland Moray, said “ With the growing success of jogscotland groups across Moray, along with the recent establishment of local walking groups, I could foresee a situation where unnecessary confusion, duplication and/or toe treading could occur between these new groups and the existing clubs. The solution was to get everyone talking to one another and the result is a very joined-up, customer friendly approach for anyone who wants to walk, jog or run in the area.”
A tangible outcome of the partnership talks is the newly launched website -- www.walkjogrunmoray.org.uk - designed by Nick and Lisa Taylor of CSS Design in Forres. The website was made possible with a grant from the Health Improvement Fund, which is administered by the Moray Community Health and Social Care Partnership. The website features walk, jog, run opportunities across Moray and contains pages on six walking groups, nine jog groups and three running clubs, as well as having links to other related sites and organisations. It is hoped that the new website will not only enhance information provision to existing members, but will also boost the numbers and appeal to people visiting the area.
The Councils Sports Development Officer, Kim Paterson, commended the initiative and said, “ This website will act as an excellent resource for people within Moray and the surrounding area in relation to opportunities for walking, jogging, or running. It is great that a holistic approach is being taken. There will be information on the website for people that are relatively inactive and maybe just starting to take up more physical activity. There will also be information for people that are already running at a competitive level -- so something for everyone!”
The launch of the website coincides with the timing of partnership’s third walk-jog- run ‘Summer Challenge’ -- a 5k event for anyone over 14 years around the banks of the River Lossie in Elgin. Entries are being coordinated by the event's sponsors Moray Business Women and can be downloaded from the new website, as well as those of the Moray Council, Jog Scotland, Moray Roadrunners and Forres Harriers. For further information contact nickbcoaching@aol.com or Tel 01542 842847