THE latest running route supplied by Mark Jones of Swindon Striders covers five miles and begins and ends at the Croft Sports Centre.

Although it can be tackled by all runners, Mark describes it as being particularly well-suited to people recovering from their efforts in the recent Swindon Half Marathon.

It involves a few hills but there are also some more gentle flat sections.

Mark said: “Swindon Striders had a really good turnout of members for the Swindon Half Marathon.

“More than 30 members ran in club colours, and despite very wet conditions some good times were achieved.

“In fact, everyone did well, considering the weather.”

GO out of the Croft Sports Centre main entrance up to Marlborough Lane.

Turn left at the junction and then left again when you reach Evelyn Street.

Take the next right up Winifred Street and at the end turn left on to St Margaret’s Road.

Turn left on to Croft Road and go down the hill until you reach the junction with Pleydell Road on the right.

Follow this loop round, including Fitzroy Road, then turn right back on to Croft Road.

Follow this to the bottom and then right on to East Wichel Way.

Turn left on to Cornwood Road and follow the road until you reach Brentfore Street.

Next, continue until the left turn on to Yelland Walk; follow this alongside the canal until you reach the bridge.

Take the steps on to the bridge and follow it over the motorway and on to the path heading to Wroughton.

Stay on this path passing the Ridgeway School on the left.

Continue until Perry’s Lane then turn left and follow this road until you reach Swindon Road.

Turn left and head back to Swindon, turning right on to Piper’s Way at the junction with Croft Road.

Go up Piper’s Way until the end and then turn left at the roundabout.

Take the next right at the mini roundabout by the Marriott Hotel and continue on Marlborough Lane, turning left back to Croft Sports Centre.

AUTUMN will make no difference to the schedule of Swindon Striders’ Monday night club runs.

They will continue to leave from the Croft Sports Centre for the foreseeable future, while the Friday night runs will continue to have the Link Centre as their starting point.

In both cases, members will continue to meet at 6.45pm for a 7pm start.

The club also offers hill repetitions and speed session training every Wednesday, alternating weekly between the disciplines.

Mark Jones said: “This sort of training helps build body strength and fitness for running.”

Swindon Striders prides itself on being an organisation for all runners - and ready to meet every whim of the British climate.

Runs take place rain or shine, and are open to people of all abilities.

There are three sub-groups of runners in the Striders.

The first is for those who can run a mile in 11 or 12 minutes. They are often people just getting started in running.

The second group is for people capable of running a nine-minute mile. They range from people training in a fairly solitary way to those needing practice as they work towards goals such as races.

The third group is composed of runners described by Mark as the ons who are pretty quick. This group includes local elite athletes - competition runners.

When the club was set up 24 years ago, it had a dozen members, but the figure is now somewhere between 100 and 120.

In addition to falling into various categories of ability, members have a broad range of ages and backgrounds.

The club has a thriving social scene.