A NEW running club launched last Saturday as members of Hook Runners ABC course made its debut at the weekly Basingstoke parkrun.

Set up just months ago as a community running group, Hook Runners saw 30 runners compete in the morning run around Basingstoke’s War Memorial Park.

The group is dedicated to promoting, encouraging and sharing the pleasure and benefits of running and inclusivity is at its heart.

It runs an ABC course for its runners which helps them reach goals and challenges on a weekly basis - of the runners who got through their ABC courses.

And on Saturday a number of its runners graduated from the ABC course and were handed out medals when they completed their run.

The long goal of Hook Runners is to become the best community running club around and at a recent EGM it was announced the club would officially launch.

Nici Strevens, who helped set up Louise Taylor crosses the finish line the group, said: “I am really proud of the runners who got through their ABC courses. We helped them get through and for some of them this is the first time they have tried their hand at running.

“Hook Runners is all about enjoying running, getting fit and meeting new people. It’s a great club.”

Basingstoke parkrun starts every Saturday morning from 9am and is free to get involved with.

Runners are electronically timed.

To get involved with Hook Runners visit hookrunners.com or to find out more about Basingstoke parkrun visit parkrun.org.uk/basingstoke.