Letter from Mark Munro

Letter from Mark Munro, CEO scottishathletics and jogscotland

I don’t usually get the chance to contribute to Stride – it’s always full to bursting with the amazing achievements of our joggers and jog groups! But on this occasion, I wanted to make sure to write to all our members after what have been, undoubtedly, an unusual and challenging few months for us all.

First and foremost, I want to acknowledge that we’ve all had very different experiences of lockdown. Whether you’ve been racking up record mileage and taking part in virtual challenges, or you’ve struggled to get your trainers on at all, I want to reassure you that you are still very much part of the jogscotland family. Your group will still be there for you when we are allowed to meet again. Regardless of your fitness levels after lockdown, whether you find yourself taking beginner sessions, or come back stronger than before, you will receive the same friendly welcome, support, and lack of judgement that is at the heart of all jogscotland groups.

I would also like to extend particular thanks to our jog leaders. I’m pretty sure the jog leader course never really prepared you for leading a virtual group! And yet so many of you have stepped up to create imaginative challenges for your members, to keep that sense of community going via social media, and to keep an eye out for members of your group who might be in need of support. Thank you. Lastly – we suspect we might have a few new recruits to the world of jogging as a result of lockdown! I think we’ve all seen new folk pulling on their trainers and running past our doors as they make the most of their daily exercise. We look forward to the day that we’ll be able to welcome them to their nearest jogscotland group to help them stick with their new running habit. If you have friends or family who are new to running, spread the jogscotland word, and let’s bring them into our community when we can all meet again.

Stay safe