Girls Run the World (GRTW) coaching and content platform tackled the lockdown head-on by launching an online programme designed to keep women inspired and focused during the Coronavirus pandemic. Their free to enter 30-day Race Shape Challenge throughout May culminated in a North versus South Queens of Speed 5K challenge, while raising funds for Refuge charity. 

An impressive total of 1,766 women set out to improve their running efficiency and speed over 5K and the 30-day Race Shape Challenge culminated in the Queens of Speed North versus South 5K virtual challenge on Saturday 30 May won by … the South.

The month-long course included remote coaching in running techniques, strength and conditioning, yoga, and a healthy eating plan, all aimed at helping women to shave time from their running pace and inches off their waistline. It worked, too, with 85% of those taking part smashing their PB!

An additional 89 women signed up for the Queens of Speed showdown. Team South took an early numerical advantage with around 60% of the entrants and ran out winners in an average 5K time of 29:52 to Team North's 30:47. 

Pride was salvaged for Team North with the fastest individual time. Team North's top three were Faye Sharpley (20:26), Deidre Johnston (21:24) and Alison (22:35). Team South's leading trio were Emily Danverse (20:41), Jess Thomson (21:18) and Hannah Williams (21:39).

The standard GRTW 30-day Race Shape Challenge fee of £50 was waived due to Covid-19 and almost £3,500 was raised for the Refuge charity, aided by purchases of the 'Queens of Speed' event T-shirts, with 20% of all profits going to the charity.

The next GRTW course for runners is the Smash Your 10km PB Online Programme which started yesterday Monday (15 June) and full details of a wide range of streamed video courses on strength and conditioning, flexibility and running fitness are available at the GRTW website here

Image courtesy Girls Run the World