A COUPLE from Bromham, who took up running in their fifties, are now urging others to join a course which takes people from couch potatoes to dedicated joggers in the space of a few weeks.

Ian and Jackie Tuckett took part in a sofa to 5K course, organised by Devizes Running Club, and are encouraging others to join sessions which have just started on Tuesday evenings.

The group meets at 6.30pm outside Devizes Leisure Centre. People can pay £25 for all ten sessions or £3 for pay-as-you-go.

Mrs Tuckett, 54, took up running five years ago and a year later completed the Chippenham Half Marathon.

Injury meant she had to give up running and she had a gap of several years before seeing the beginner’s course advertised.

She said: “I wanted to be able to run 5k without stopping again. I read about the course in Gazette & Herald and told Ian we were doing it.”

Her first aid instructor husband, who was fit from other sport but had not done much running, said: “The sessions were planned to allow all of us to develop at our own pace.

“I cannot speak highly enough of the coaches. We were given clear direction and encouraged at our own level to do our best.

"I can now run 10km without stopping and Jackie has exceeded her goal and is already up to 6km.”

For more details, text RUN to 07772 403947 or search for the Get Running Devizes group on Facebook.