Rebel Runners Medway are hosting their popular ‘couch to 5k course’ early in the new year.

Sessions are free, starting on Saturday, January 6 at the Great Lines Park in Gillingham.

Run leaders aim to get participants off the couch and running a 5k in just eight weeks, with graduation on Saturday, February 24.

Martin Jenkins joined the Rebels after graduating through the course and completed the Great Lines parkrun.

He admitted to feeling anxious before signing up but said: “I shouldn’t have worried. Everyone was very friendly and supportive.

“What struck me immediately is that I couldn’t believe that so many people had given up their time voluntarily to help others get healthy and fit. In fact, their support meant that I felt very committed to finishing the programme.

“What I didn’t realise is that parkrun is in no way a race! When you turn up you see people of all abilities, children in buggies, 85-year-olds - a real cross-section!

“There’s really no need to worry how fast you are, some people walk, some are very fast, but most are somewhere in between.

“We were all paired up with someone from the Rebel Runners Club for the graduation day run, which again was very encouraging. In fact, may of the club members started their running hobby via a couch-to-5k programme and now enjoy being active participants in the club.”

To register your interest email membership-rebelrunners@outlook.com