A new running group in Carlisle is going from strength to strength – with more than 60 women signing up for the first training programme.

RunMum was set up by Vanessa Strickland, a mum with a passion for running and a drive to inspire other women.

The 45-year-old, of Stanwix, Carlisle, started a closed Facebook group two months ago and it has already attracted 500 members.

Following its success, a month later she introduced the first 12-week running programme for mums who might have felt intimidated or lonely when it came to getting out for a run.

Vanessa has always loved running but as a mum of four children, aged from six to 14, she knows all too well how bringing up a family can make it tough to juggle commitments.

Before the arrival of her first son Harris in 2001, Vanessa ran for the Border Harriers but soon found her passion for running would have to take a back seat as she struggled to stick to training times.

In the end it meant she was often running alone.

Experiencing it first hand, she wanted to help other mums faced with the struggle of trying to keep fit and bring up a family at the same time as working.

“It was something that I’ve always thought about and I kind of had all the information, so I thought let’s go for it,” said Vanessa.

“I think I might have found a solution, but I don’t know.

“Not only has it brought me the motivation and encouragement I need, I have also been lucky to meet some truly inspirational women who I enjoy sharing my love of running with.

“I’m not sure if it’ll go anywhere – but I’m enjoying the journey finding out.”

The Facebook page has become a forum where women chat, share stories, discuss runs and motivation.

Vanessa said it provides a friendly female-only environment where members can find encouragement and support from one another.

The 12-week programme aims to help women, many of whom have never run before, build up their distance to 10km.

Those taking part are mostly beginners aged between 20 and 50.

“The majority of them just find running by themselves a bit daunting and a bit lonely,” Vanessa said. “A lot of them have wanted to go out but didn’t know where to start.

“I think women running together at a beginners’ level find it’s nice for security and it’s not intimidating.

Vanessa added: “We’ve made loads of friends. We really have got a nice community together now.

“We all feel comfortable with each other and we’re all very supportive. So whether you’re at the front or at the back we involve everybody.

“We like to think people don’t feel intimidated by it all and I really don’t think they do.”

Vanessa, a specialist instructor with Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service, where she also has a second job as a personal trainer, sets her runners homework and suggests they get out once or twice a week if they can.

When the current programme finishes, RunMum will become a regular session and a new programme is due to start at the end of February.

The sessions take place weekly on Mondays from the Sheepmount Athletics Stadium in Carlisle at 9.30am, and from Devonshire Walk car park at 6pm.

A third extra session, which involves more speed work and hills, takes place on Wednesdays.

Vanessa wants to thank her team of seven passionate volunteers who make the sessions possible.

She is also keen to introduce virtual running, which will appeal to busy mums who can’t commit to running events.

It will enable them to complete runs in a given space of two weeks and submit their results.

Any like-minded mums wanting to join the Facebook group can go to runmum.co.uk and request to be accepted.

RunMum also offers hour-long training sessions for one, two or three people. Visit the website for more information.