Lee Merrien puts his HealthChek/GIAAC women’s training group on the watch while club endurance captain Louise Perrio looks on. (Picture by Steve Sarre, 0855968)

LEE MERRIEN’S racing programme will make him unavailable for the local calendar’s opening Fusion/GIAAC fixture this weekend at Delancey Park but, in a coaching role, the GB international is still likely to make his presence felt.

As lead coach of the HealthChek/GIAAC’s Wednesday night women’s group, Merrien’s charges are likely to form a major part of the field.

‘The group started about two years ago following the success of the Race for Life training sessions,’ he said.

‘It was also clear that there were limited group training opportunities for beginners and less experienced runners.

‘Now the group is going from strength to strength and we have reached the limit of available places at the original session.

‘As a result, we also have a mixed-group session on the same night now, which is again open to all levels and provides those who attend with structured training sessions, particularly if they have a specific fitness or race target in mind.’

Louise Perrio, the club’s endurance captain, was keen to stress the benefits of such training and racing as part of a wider approach.

‘The social aspects of group training are often overlooked and I have always enjoyed the camaraderie of both training and racing as part of a team,’ she said.