A RUNNING group set up in preparation for the Swindon Half Marathon has become so popular the council is appealing for more mentors to run it.

Swindon Shin Splints – an free and informal training group set up in May – meets at 8.50am every Saturday at Coate Water.

Organisers hoped for at least 10 runners to join them for the weekly session but arrived to the sight of more than 90 enthusiastic participants.

Now there are 104 members signed up to the group but with just six mentors the Shin Splints are calling on more seasoned runners to help out.

“You don’t have to have been a member of the Harriers for 20 years to be a mentor,” said Cathy Caulfield of Swindon leisure services.

“Anyone who runs regularly and is a comfortable and confident runner would be great for the job.”

The club aims to provide support and motivation for runners of all abilities through a dedicated training programme.

The programme is tailored to runners aged 17 and over who have set their sights on running the 13.1-mile half marathon, five-mile multi-terrain or two-mile fun run on October 10.

Shin Splints is also a way for members to meet new people and caters for complete beginners and intermediates through to seasoned runners.

“I can’t believe when we started the club we thought 15 attendees would be an achievement ,” said Cathy. “Now we have 104 on our books and 96 of those turn up regularly.”

Swindon Half Marathon race director Steve Connelly, and personal fitness trainer and experienced runner Michelle Leighton, are among the mentors who devised two 20-week training programmes – one aimed at those who can run for 20 minutes, and another for those who just want to get running.

Weekly training plans will be available on the Nationwide Swindon Half Marathon website www.swindonhalfmarathon.co.uk or in the Swindon Advertiser every Friday. The Swindon Shin Splints will be meeting again at 8.50am tomorrow by the cafe at Coate Water for a 9am start.

For more information – either on becoming a runner or a mentor – call Cathy Caulfield on 01793 511033 or visit the Swindon Half Marathon website.