Fit4Life with Lucan Harriers celebrates ten years giving men and women an outlet

RUNNING club Lucan Harriers AC are celebrating the 10th year anniversary of their Fit4Life group.

Fit4life provides an outlet for men and women who would like to get fit in a social and fun environment.

Fit4life Coach Josephine Dignam, who first got into running to lose weight for her daughter’s Holy Communion, established the group at Lucan Harriers AC.

Josie suffered with postnatal, but has spoken about the positive effects running has on mental health.

She first joined Lucan Harriers in 1998 to train for the mini-marathon and has an impressive nine marathons under her belt.

Over a decade ago, Josie sensed potential to attract individuals to the club who may not necessarily be avid runners.

While looking through the pages of Irish Runner magazine, she came across a feature highlighting a running club in Galway that had established a Fit4life program. This gave her the inspiration to implement something similar in Lucan.

On the first night in January 2014, about 50 people turned up, running one lap of the track and over time, built up to a 10k.

“It’s the best counselling session you will ever get for 12 months of the year and you could make lifelong friends,” said Josie.

Vinny Murtagh, a Fit4life Coach, joined Lucan Harriers 43 years ago and got into coaching some of the senior ladies after a knee injury stopped him running.

“They push me hard to stay motivated, which I found a struggle after my knee injury. I love the heart and soul of Fit4life and am pushing myself to see where we can grow this thing together,” said Viinny.

In the past ten years Fit4life has increased from 50 to 122 members today and is still growing.

They offer support to new members with coaches Josie and Vinny, captain John Rabbett and vice captains Fiona Allen and Phelim Cassidy.

On January 20, members of Lucan Harriers will meet at Griffeen parkrun at 9.30am to support those running.