Walney Wind Cheetahs

Walney Wind Cheetahs 🐆 Friendly, inclusive running club based at Park Vale, Walney Island. From complete beginners to experienced runners, everyone is welcome.

Join us for Couch to 5K, training, social runs and a supportive community. 🖤💛

MEET OUR NEW ASSISTANT RUN LEADERS 🐆A huge congratulations to Paula, Lynne, Paula, Gemma, Steph, Karen, Charlotte, Bill ...
02/09/2026

MEET OUR NEW ASSISTANT RUN LEADERS 🐆

A huge congratulations to Paula, Lynne, Paula, Gemma, Steph, Karen, Charlotte, Bill and Craig who all completed their Assistant Run Leader training tonight and are now joining our Cheetah Run Leader team! 👏🎉

They spent the evening learning more about supporting our sessions, keeping groups safe and together, warm ups and cool downs, encouraging runners and dealing with the various things that can crop up on a run.

Most importantly, they’ve volunteered to give up some of their own time to help keep our sessions friendly, safe, supportive and inclusive for everyone and we’re incredibly grateful to have them on board!

Please give our newest Assistant Run Leaders a big Cheetah welcome!
🐆🖤💛

🐆 C25K – WEEK 2! Huge well done to tonight’s Couch to 5K crew! 👏Week 2 means the running intervals stepped up and you ab...
31/08/2026

🐆 C25K – WEEK 2!

Huge well done to tonight’s Couch to 5K crew! 👏

Week 2 means the running intervals stepped up and you absolutely smashed it! 💪

Another session ticked off and another step closer to that 5K!

Brilliant work everyone, same again Wednesday! 🐆🖤💛

🐆 CHEETAHS AT PARKRUN! 🐆Another brilliant Saturday morning for the Cheetahs, with 56 club members representing WWC acros...
29/08/2026

🐆 CHEETAHS AT PARKRUN! 🐆

Another brilliant Saturday morning for the Cheetahs, with 56 club members representing WWC across 10 different parkrun events! 🖤💛

A huge shoutout has to go to Phil Horrocks, who completed his 600th parkrun at Barrow this morning! 🤯👏 What an incredible milestone – congratulations Phil! 🎉🐆

🏃‍♂️ First three Cheetah men home
🥇 Christian Cally – 17:46
🥈 David Harker – 21:26
🥉 Ian Sadler – 21:37

🏃‍♀️ First three Cheetah women home
🥇 Amy Singleton – 24:34
🥈 Caroline Bushell – 24:55
🥉 Janice Callister – 25:25

Our Cheetahs were out and about at Barrow, Blackpool, Clumber Park, Darlington South Park, Drumlanrig Castle, Ford, Great Denham, University of Sterling, Trentham Gardens and Haughmond Hill today, plenty of parkrun tourism going on! 🗺️🐆

Well done to every one of our 56 Cheetahs who ran, jogged or walked this morning, and an extra big congratulations again to Phil on joining the 600 club! 🖤💛

🐆 COUCH TO 5K — WEEK 1 COMPLETE! ✅That’s Session 2 done and Week 1 officially in the bag! 🖤💛Tonight our C25Kers complete...
26/08/2026

🐆 COUCH TO 5K — WEEK 1 COMPLETE! ✅

That’s Session 2 done and Week 1 officially in the bag! 🖤💛

Tonight our C25Kers completed:

🏃 1 minute jogging
🚶 4 minutes walking
🔁 Repeated throughout the session

And they absolutely smashed it! 👏

Tonight’s group covered around 2.5 miles in total, which is a fantastic effort for the very first week of the programme. Remember, this isn’t about pace or how far anyone can run. Right now it’s simply about getting moving, taking those first steps and building up gradually each week.

Unfortunately everyone made a suspiciously quick getaway at the end tonight before I remembered to take a group photo. 😂📸

So the Strava evidence will have to do!

Clearly everyone knew a photo was coming and made a tactical early exit. 😂 Nice try… I’ll be quicker next week! 📸

Whether you joined us for one session this week or both, well done! You’ve started, and that’s the hardest bit. 💪

Next week we build on it. 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️

Week 1 ✅
Week 2… let’s go! 🐆🖤💛

🐆 AND THEY’RE OFF!… WELCOME TO OUR NEW COUCH TO 5K CREW! 🖤💛A massive WELL DONE to everyone who joined us tonight for the...
24/08/2026

🐆 AND THEY’RE OFF!… WELCOME TO OUR NEW COUCH TO 5K CREW! 🖤💛

A massive WELL DONE to everyone who joined us tonight for the first session of our brand new Couch to 5K programme! 👏👏

For some of you, simply turning up tonight was probably the hardest part, but you did it, and then you absolutely smashed Session One! 💪🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️

There were plenty of smiles, lots of encouragement and some brilliant running. Most importantly, everyone worked at their own pace, supported each other and got those first running intervals in the bag. ✅

Tonight might only have been the beginning, but every single person in this photo has just taken that first step towards running 5K. 🥰

A huge welcome to the Walney Wind Cheetahs family, we hope you’re ready for the journey! 🐆🖤💛

and remember…

Slow it down. Keep turning up. Trust the programme.

We’ll take care of the whistles 😂📣

🏃‍♀️ MISSED TONIGHT? YOU CAN STILL JOIN US!

Our second session of Week 1 is this Wednesday and everyone is welcome, it’s absolutely not too late to get started!

📅 Wednesday 26th August
⏰ Meet 5:45pm for a 6pm start
📍 Aldi, Risedale Road

⚠️ Please be aware that Aldi car park has a 1.5 hour parking limit, so you may wish to park elsewhere nearby.

Session 1 ✅
Next stop… Wednesday!

Well done everyone, you were brilliant tonight! 👏🐆🖤💛

🐆 YOU DON’T HAVE TO DO IT ALONE 🖤💛For our final Couch to 5K story before the new programme begins tonight, we hear from ...
24/08/2026

🐆 YOU DON’T HAVE TO DO IT ALONE 🖤💛

For our final Couch to 5K story before the new programme begins tonight, we hear from Julie, who completed our last C25K earlier this year. 🏅

Julie joined the programme alongside a friend so they could encourage and support each other. While her friend attended both sessions each week, Julie could only make our Wednesday evening sessions, another great reminder that you don’t have to attend twice a week to take part. ❤️

Here’s what Julie had to say:

“I joined Couch to 5K with a friend and we decided we were going to support each other through it.

I was only able to attend the Wednesday sessions each week, but the support I received was brilliant. I regularly had a run leader alongside me who encouraged me, kept me going and helped me achieve times I was really proud of.

I was also introduced to using interval timers, which became really valuable when I wanted to train by myself between sessions.

The camaraderie throughout the programme was fantastic. Everyone supported and encouraged each other, whatever pace we were running.

We both achieved the goals we’d set ourselves and were incredibly proud to finally have those Couch to 5K medals around our necks. 🥇

WWC is a brilliant running club with fantastic coaches, run leaders and runners. My advice to anyone thinking about joining is simple, just come along and enjoy it! 🥰”

And Julie certainly kept running after C25K! She has now completed an incredible 94 parkruns! 🤩👏

Just six more until the big 100! 💯👀

Another brilliant example that Couch to 5K isn’t necessarily the end goal. Sometimes it’s just the beginning. 🐆❤️

And tonight, we get to start that journey all over again with a brand new group.

If you’ve been reading these stories and thinking “maybe I could do it…”

Come and find out.

You don’t have to be fast.
You don’t have to make every session.
You don’t have to already be a runner.

You just have to turn up. We’ll do the rest together. 🖤💛🐆

🏃 Couch to 5K starts TONIGHT! 5:45pm meet for a 6pm start at Park Vale, Mill Lane, Walney

🐆 12 YEARS OLD. COUCH TO 5K AND LOOK AT HIM NOW! 💪🏃At just 12 years old, Keaton joined the adults on our Couch to 5K pro...
24/08/2026

🐆 12 YEARS OLD. COUCH TO 5K AND LOOK AT HIM NOW! 💪🏃

At just 12 years old, Keaton joined the adults on our Couch to 5K programme earlier this year.

Already an active member of our WWC Cubs, Keaton completed the programme alongside our adult runners, supported every step of the way by our run leaders and the rest of the group. 🖤💛

His mum Mel shared his story:

“Keaton is a 12-year-old boy with autism and an active member of Walney Wind Cheetahs Cubs. Throughout Couch to 5K, the support he received from the runners and coaches was exceptional. The regular high-fives, encouragement and positive reinforcement really helped his confidence and ability grow.” ❤️

And he certainly hasn’t stopped running since!

After graduating, Keaton ran 28:04 at Barrow parkrun, took part in his first organised 5K at Run The Edge alongside his dad and now regularly joins our Monday evening runs and adult track sessions.

And just this weekend he took another huge chunk off his parkrun time at Blackpool parkrun, a brilliant new PB of 26:36! 🔥👏

Running has become an important part of Keaton’s routine and he particularly enjoys training alongside his mum and dad, as well as being part of the wider Cheetahs family.

His progress and growing confidence have been fantastic to see and show just what can happen when young runners are given a friendly, encouraging and supportive environment. 🥰🐆

And for anyone wondering, our adult running sessions — including Couch to 5K — are open to ages 12+, with those aged 12 and over able to run with us independently.

Our next Couch to 5K starts today! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️

So whether you’re 12 or considerably further away from 12 😂, come along and give it a go.

You never know where that first run might lead. 🖤💛🐆

5:50pm meet at Park Vale, Walney tonight!

🐆 FROM SUPPORTING THE RUNNERS… TO BECOMING ONE 🏃‍♀️💛Running was already very much a family affair in Christina’s househo...
23/08/2026

🐆 FROM SUPPORTING THE RUNNERS… TO BECOMING ONE 🏃‍♀️💛

Running was already very much a family affair in Christina’s household.

Christina’s partner Dave runs, their two boys run with our WWC Cubs and the family regularly travel around the country ticking off different junior parkruns.

There was just one holdout… Christina. 😂

Earlier this year she finally gave in and joined our Couch to 5K programme. She went from being the only non runner in the family to completing the full programme and earning her C25K medal! 🏅🖤💛

And that’s exactly what Couch to 5K is about.

You don’t need any previous running experience. You don’t need to be able to keep up with somebody else. It doesn’t matter whether your partner runs, your kids run, or everyone around you seems fitter than you.

You start where YOU are, and we build from there.

But there’s another important part to Christina’s story…

She could only make our Wednesday sessions.

While our programme runs on Mondays AND Wednesdays, we know work, family and life can sometimes make getting to both impossible. Christina completed the programme by coming along once a week and still got there. 💪

So if you’ve seen our posts and thought:

“I’d love to do it, but I can’t make both nights…”

Don’t let that stop you.

Come when you can. Start where you are. We’ll support you along the way. 🖤💛

With the support of the group and our volunteer run leaders, those first short running intervals gradually become longer ones… until suddenly you’re doing something you probably didn’t think you could do when you first turned up. 🥰

So if you’re currently the Christina of your family while everyone else disappears off running…

This could be your turn 🏃‍♀️🐆

🐆 “I’LL NEVER BE ABLE TO RUN FOR 30 MINUTES…” 👀That’s something we hear all the time at the start of Couch to 5K.Mel and...
23/08/2026

🐆 “I’LL NEVER BE ABLE TO RUN FOR 30 MINUTES…” 👀

That’s something we hear all the time at the start of Couch to 5K.

Mel and Lynne both completed our last programme earlier this year and both are proof that you might surprise yourself with what happens next! 🖤💛

Mel:
“I started Couch to 5K in January as someone who did not like running and definitely didn’t see myself as a runner.

Walney Wind Cheetahs gave me the encouragement I needed when I doubted myself and helped me achieve something I never thought possible. I feel fitter, healthier and far more confident than when I started.

Fair warning though: C25K may be free, but before long you’ll be buying trainers, tops, watches, paying entry fees… and becoming completely obsessed with Strava. Because if it’s not on Strava, it didn’t happen! 😂

If I can do it, anyone can. Stop thinking about it and give it a go, you might just surprise yourself!”

Lynne:
“Everyone comes to C25K saying the same thing… ‘I’m never going to be able to run for 30 minutes without stopping!’

I came back to running last year, completed C25K and got the medal 🥇. I find it so much easier running with others and now I’m running with the continuous 10K group!

All the groups are welcoming, you make new friends and the run leaders are so supportive.

You’ll know you’re hooked when there are more running clothes on your washing line and you’re constantly online looking for new trainers! 😂”

From worrying about running continuously for 30 minutes… to 10K groups, Strava obsession and an alarming amount of running gear. 😂🏃‍♀️

Our next Couch to 5K starts tomorrow — Monday 24th August 🐆

Complete beginners are absolutely welcome. You don’t need to be fast. You don’t need to already be fit and you definitely don’t need to think of yourself as a runner.

Just turn up. We’ll help you with the rest. 🖤💛

📅 Mondays & Wednesdays
🐆 Walney Wind Cheetahs Couch to 5K
💛 Friendly, supportive and nobody gets left behind

Maybe a few months from now, we’ll be sharing YOUR story. 👀🏅

🐆 SOMETIMES IT TAKES MORE THAN ONE START TO REACH THE FINISH 🖤💛With our new Couch to 5K starting tomorrow, here’s anothe...
23/08/2026

🐆 SOMETIMES IT TAKES MORE THAN ONE START TO REACH THE FINISH 🖤💛

With our new Couch to 5K starting tomorrow, here’s another story for anyone wondering whether they can do it.

Meet Kirsty 👋

Kirsty first took up running almost 20 years ago, but after life, a pandemic, an international move and a drop in fitness, she decided she needed to go right back to the beginning.

So she joined our Couch to 5K.

Five times. 😂

But every time Kirsty came back to Day One, our run leaders were there to support her, with, in her words, “a little good natured p**s taking from a particular run coach” thrown in for motivation. 👀😂

On attempt number five, she bloody did it. 🏅👏

Kirsty’s message to anyone feeling nervous about starting:

“If you’re worried about being the slowest, don’t be. If you’re worried about being the most out of shape, you’re not. If you’re worried about how you’ll look running down the street, no one cares.”

And this is why we love her story. ❤️

The woman who restarted Couch to 5K five times is now preparing to run the Great North Run next month with her husband Craig! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️🏅

From Day One (x5 😂) to 13.1 miles.

Proof that it doesn’t matter how many times you start. Just keep coming back. 🐆🖤💛

Although knowing Kirsty, Craig should probably prepare himself for 13.1 miles of whinging and swearing. 😂 Good luck to you both, we’re all sure you’ll both smash it 🐆

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Barrow In Furness

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