Hanwood park run club – community spotlight

11 September 2025

Every great community starts with a spark of inspiration. For Hanwood Park Runners, that spark came from local resident Scott Dinsmore, who had long championed the idea of creating a local running group. When fellow resident Barbi took the initiative to create a Facebook group, she expected just a handful of neighbours might be interested. What happened next exceeded all expectations—a wave of curiosity and community spirit swept through the area, laying the foundation for what would become one of Kettering's most supportive running communities.

Today, the club boasts an impressive 330 members in their Facebook community, with around 10% regularly lacing up their trainers for group sessions. And here's the best part: it's completely FREE to join.

When and where we run

The club makes staying active convenient with multiple weekly opportunities:

• Tuesdays & Thursdays at 8pm – Meet at Hayfield Cross
• Sundays – Longer distance runs (distances vary)
• Saturdays – Social Parkrun meetups

Whether you're taking your first tentative steps off the couch or you're a seasoned marathoner, there's something for everyone. The club offers Couch to 5K programmes, with beginner, intermediate, and advanced training groups. Weekday runs range from 2.5K to 8K, whilst Sunday long runs are tailored to different experience levels.

No runner left behind

What sets Hanwood Park Runners apart is a commitment to inclusivity. The club's LiRF-certified run leaders ensure that every member feels supported and valued, regardless of their pace or experience level. "No experience? No problem!" is the motto.

The hardest part of joining any new group is often just showing up for the first time. "It's normal to feel nervous about joining something new," the club acknowledges, "but stepping out of your comfort zone can lead to lifelong friendships." Current members consistently praise the group's genuinely welcoming and encouraging atmosphere.

Ready to join? Find Hanwood Park Runners on Facebook to connect with fellow runners, share Parkrun photos, plan social runs, and swap training tips.