Sport Hampshire & IOW lends a hand to new running campaign

The body that works to increase participation in sports for Hampshire is excited to be working with a popular running programme from cruise line Royal Caribbean International, Sport England and Run England.

Sport Hampshire & IOW is joining other sports organisations across Hampshire, Surrey and Sussex in delivering the popular Royal Caribbean Runners groups. The scheme - designed to encourage people to get into running and make fitness part of their day to day life - has already enjoyed a successful pilot in London.

Made possible by support from cruise line Royal Caribbean International in partnership with Sport England, the organisation helping people and communities across the country create a sporting habit for life, and Run England, the new Royal Caribbean Runners groups are rolling out across the South East.

The Royal Caribbean Runners programme is supported by former Olympic gold medallist Sally Gunnell, and provides the tools for new running groups to take part in a nine week programme designed to improve health and fitness in a fun and supportive environment. Not just for hardcore fitness fanatics, the new running groups are all about growing grassroots participation in the sport and encouraging people to see the many benefits that come from staying active in day-to-day life.

Royal Caribbean International is the world's most innovative cruise line and leads the way in the scope and range of facilities onboard its ships. The cruise line also recently launched an onboard version of the popular Royal Caribbean Runners programme on its Southampton-based cruise ship Independence of the Seas designed to aid holidaymakers in getting, and staying, fit. As well as running, the cruise line is credited with bringing sports such as surfing, rock climbing and ice skating to life at sea through its comprehensive on-board facilities. Gyms onboard Royal Caribbean International ships are some of the best in the fitness world - on one ship alone there are over 158 fitness machines. Royal Caribbean International's ships sail throughout the world, including from UK ports of call.

Dominic Paul, Vice President and group managing director, Royal Caribbean International, EMEA - and competing triathlete - added:

"From sports courts to surf simulators, making investments that get people active has always been a key part of Royal Caribbean International's business. Our ships are designed with fitness features in mind and because our guests have so much fun being active onboard we wanted to bring this to life - on land. Following the great feedback we received on the London-based pilot we've decided to expand the programme so that people across the South East have the opportunity to experience the many benefits that come from joining a Royal Caribbean Runners group. With Sally and Sport England's help we're widening our fitness footprint one region at a time in hopes of motivating both runners and those who have never run before to get and stay fit."

Sport England Chair, Richard Lewis, said: "Our latest research has shown that almost 2 million people are taking part in athletics, including running, every week. With so many people involved, it's fantastic to see this programme being rolled out further so even more people can discover the joys of running and develop a sporting habit for life."

Anyone joining a new Royal Caribbean Runners group will receive goodies and incentives to keep them motivated. Participants will receive a dedicated 'Royal Caribbean Runners' t-shirt on sign-up and those that complete the nine week course will also receive a waterproof running jacket. Group leaders recruiting ten people or more into the new programme will receive an iPod Shuffle.

The Royal Caribbean Runners groups are currently available in Hampshire, Surrey, Sussex and London. For more information and to find running groups in your area please visit www.royalcaribbean.co.uk/runners.

Currently the Hampshire Running Activator is working with a number of potential groups to set themselves up as Royal Caribbean Runners groups. There will be further coverage on these groups as they progress.

All Royal Caribbean Runners groups are coordinated through Run England, the official England Athletics running project aimed to get the whole nation running. This includes training of leaders through UK Athletics for the Leadership in Running Fitness qualification, a fantastic benefit facilitated through the Run England programme.

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