An award-winning coaching team who introduced hundreds of Cumbrian beginners to running are branching out.

Kendal-based Jogging Pals have launched a trail-running weekend in the Lakes based at Brathay Hall at the head of Windermere.

Jogging Pals organise inclusive events such as the mental health mile in Kendal, and the Torchlight 3k run, as well as one-to-one coaching for every distance from parkruns to multi-day endurance events.

They have also helped hundreds of previously sedentary people take up running with their couch-to-5k fitness programmes.

Now they plan to take runners into the heart of the Lake District with a weekend of guided runs ranging from 10 to 20k.

The weekend is aimed at runners with little experience of trail running, or those who don’t want to tackle the trails on their own.

“Our aim is to have social runs where we all enjoy each other's company and take in the amazing environment of the World Heritage Site that is the English Lake District,” said co-founder Wayne Singleton, who is also a presenter on Lake District Radio. “This may mean that, if you're a faster runner, you're waiting a bit for others to catch up - but this will offer plenty of opportunity to take some awe inspiring photos.

"All of our runs will have two leaders, to ensure that we're kept together, and everyone is supported.”

His colleague Glyn Rose, who like Wayne is an England Athletics coach, said: “The important part of what we do is to make sure everyone’s supported, particularly the person at the back of the pack.

"Our runs are gentle, moving at your pace, stopping often to take in the views, take a few snaps and to re-group.”

The running routes will take in lakeside paths, open hillside and woodland, accessed from the weekend base at Brathay Hall. Guests will be met at Oxenholme station, and the deal includes breakfast, dinner and packed lunches.

There will also be an evening programme of running films and talks.

The first weekend event will take place from May 1 to May 3.

“We have seen how the lives of our Jogging Pals members have been changed by taking up running, and we felt the time was right to add something more sociable into the mix, along with the chance to experience the best trail routes that the Lake District has to offer,” said Wayne.

“We hope to offer further dates later next year, and possibly an overseas running holiday to Romania.”