THE PANDEMIC has caused a Dorset running club to go from being a thriving hub to being quite literally stopped in its tracks.

However, this hasn't stopped its members from finding ways to keep fit and healthy as well as raising money for charitable causes.

When the pandemic first took hold back in March, Dorset Doddlers were seeing memberships rise and had a packed calendar with summer runs on the horizon, regular training sessions and many organised races.

Nonetheless, just as the club was also on the verge of launching its first Couch to 5k program, lockdown measures and social distancing rules caused many of these events to be postponed or cancelled.

Paul Russell, a member of Dorset Doddlers, said: “As the lock down measures came into force, the advice given to the club by England Athletics was no group running at all.

“We had to cancel all training and social events along with all the popular races we host each year such as The Stickler, The North Dorset Village Marathon and the Stur Half Marathon, which would have been celebrating its 30th anniversary this year.”

During this times, the club saw many of its members take on their own challenges through virtual races organised not only by the club, but also on a national level.

Dorset Doddlers had three runners compete in the Virtual London Marathon last weekend, whilst Chris Frear has set himself the challenge of virtually running from Land's End to John O'Groats.

Nick Summons raised over £1000 for Poole Hospital Heroes with his organised run around Blandford recreation ground.

Nick asked members from the Doddlers to come along and each run a one-mile lap.

Carlos Blanco ran a 10k in Bryanston to raise money for the Blandford food bank, whilst Siobhan McFeely completed the mammoth task of running seven marathons in seven days, raising over £2000 in aid of Pancreatic Cancer UK.

The running club are now slowly returning to normal. The latest advice is that, as an organised club, they can run in unlimited numbers providing members are in a Covid secure environment and follow all necessary precautions regarding social distancing and sanitation.

Paul added: “We have been lucky with the weather this year and have organised a number of Summer Runs on Tuesday and Thursdays, and have safely run a few internal club races successfully.

“Club training has returned on Tuesdays and Thursdays in Shaftesbury and Sturminster Newton respectively.

“One good thing to come from the last few months is the number of people who have decided to try running. Running is well known for all its health benefits, both physical and also for mental health. We are always keen to welcome new members and can offer something for adults of all ages and abilities.”

To find out more and to sign up, visit www.dorsetdoddlers.org.