A RUNNING club is encouraging visually impaired runners to hit the Memorial Park track by joining the Basingstoke Guide Running group.

Set up by Richard Pickard and Sharon Le Roy in 2015, the group has trained up a number of its eager runners to become guides – joggers who will help visually impaired people take part in running.

Every Saturday, as part of the Basingstoke parkrun, members of the team will be running the weekly, timed 5k run and Mr Pickard hopes more visually impaired runners will take on the challenge to get fit and stay healthy.

Mr Pickard said: “Our goal was to build a pool of trained guide runners, so we could share guiding duties, principally at Basingstoke parkrun, but also at other runs. This allows us to offer consistent and regular support to anyone who is visually impaired in the Basingstoke and Hook areas.

“We share knowledge, and ideas with each other, and have lots of fun too.”

He added: “We’re a group rather than a running club. The aim is to provide structured and friendly support to any visually impaired runners.

"Many of our guide runners have been on an England Athletics training course, and are DBS registered.

“Whether it’s walking, jogging or running at the weekly Basingstoke parkrun, or taking on a further distance, we offer a fun, supportive group of runners who are ready to help.”

The group’s shining success story is now-avid jogger Tony Nicholls.

The volunteer gardener was born blind and has become one of the guide running group’s biggest characters.

His confidence has grown and last year he managed to complete the Great South Run in October 2016.

“It’s a great feeling running,” Tony told The Gazette.

To find out more about the group visit parkrun.org.uk/bas ingstoke or contact Sharon on 01256 389351.