A running club is up for a national award.

Hawkinge Hurricanes Running Club has been shortlisted for the Innovation in Running and Sport award by England Athletics.

Lead coach Sam Miller said: “It’s unbelievable, especially bouncing back from Covid.

“We are very pleased to have been shortlisted.”

The club, founded by Miller in 2016, will find out through Zoom tonight (Monday) if they have won in their category.

They were recently visited by an England Athletics representative who had a look at what Hawkinge Hurricanes has to offer.

Miller said: “We had to stop face-to-face training during Covid but we tried to keep a bit of normality going online.

“But it’s certainly been nice seeing people and getting out there again.

“It (the awards ceremony) is a Zoom meeting at 7pm in the evening. I will be hoping one of my kids can get it going for me!”

Sessions are held at 9am on Monday mornings and either Tuesday or Wednesday evenings, depending on work commitments.

Miller, who says she is not sure how many other clubs they are up against for the award, is supported by seven qualified leaders and another coach at the club.

Hawkinge Hurricanes also do RunAbility sessions at Hawkinge Community Centre on Saturdays which support people with learning difficulties.

“I think we have been really lucky because we have our RunAbility,” she said.

“It supports our kids with Down Syndrome.

"It’s been hard for them because they are classed as clinically vulnerable so that’s been really good.”

The club has nearly 200 members, with up to 40 joining their midweek sessions and around 15 taking part in their RunAbility classes.

Last year, during the pandemic, club coaches set members weekly challenges.