February 2026 Couch To 5km Running Club is Enrolling Now!
This Beginners Running Club is perfect for first-timers or anyone returning from a break, injury, searching for a non-competitive local running group or during postpartum return to running.
Over 9 weeks, we will progress from walking with short amounts of slow running to running 5km!
Our first coached run session will be on Sunday, 22nd of February 2026 at 9am.
We will meet weekly for coached sessions Maynooth playground entrance (Fridays 7.30 pm) and Castletown house, Celbridge (Sundays 9 am) in a non-competitive and friendly group.
In this 9-week training block, you will be a part of a dedicated beginner friendly running group.
Every week, you will have an updated Couch to 5km running club plan and a coached run session.
You will know in advance what sessions are coming up for the week.
Sessions will be relaxed, social, and 25-40 minutes long, depending on the week’s plan. Coach Maggie will set the pace for the runs, helping you to stay at a comfortable pace throughout.
You will be in a WhatsApp Group with access to coaching, and plan to run meet-ups with other beginner running club members.
One session per week will be by yourself (or with other group members). There is an accompanying podcast to the plan to help you along.
I never thought I would do week 4! So thanks Maggie and the group. Never got this far on my own.
A.H.~September 2024 Group Member
Why Choose this Beginner 5km Running Club?
The truth is that every runner has started somewhere, and with the right amount of support, practice and consistent effort, running can become a part of a convenient and accessible fitness routine.
We can help you avoid some common challenges that beginners experience, to avoid make this couch to 5km running plan feel easier to settle into, and most importantly, make it enjoyable:
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- Follow a Plan: Use our Couch to 5km plan to avoid doing too much too soon and becoming overwhelmed and tired.
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- Pace Yourself: Don’t start too fast. Increased speed comes with time and training. A beginners running club is exactly that, no experience required! Coach Maggie will help you stay on pace.
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- Consistency is Key: If you’ve struggled to stay consistent after a break, know that taking a break is normal. Take the next positive step toward reaching your goal.. This group offers gentle accountability. Having a group to meet up with is an incentive to keep going out for each run.
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- Try Group Training: Being in a beginners running club is a fantastic way to keep moving forward. Use the Whatsapp group to get company and make new running friends. The running community is a very supportive one, where all experience levels can enjoy
Postpartum Return to Running
If you are planning your postpartum return to running, this plan is ideal. This couch to 5km running club follows a progressive plan is endorsed by the Return to running postnatal guidelines 2019. Coach Maggie is a pre and postnatal fitness specialist running coach and is passionate about helping postnatal people return to running in a safe and sustainable way.
About Your Coach
After running more than 10 marathons and leading group runs with She Summits Trail Running, she knows the benefits of a beginners running club first-hand. An 80/20 Endurance Running Coach and personal trainier, she is excited to meet you and share runs together in a social and relaxed environment.