Running Group Helps People With Learning Disabilities Find Confidence and Friendship

A running group in Yorkshire is helping people with learning disabilities become more active, build confidence and form friendships through sport.

The Ilkley Harriers Learning Disability Running Group was created in 2024 after Caroline Tong and other members of the running club wanted to make the sport more accessible to people who had not always had the same opportunities to participate.

The group began with just three runners. Two years later, it has grown to 13 regular participants who meet each week for runs around Ilkley, a town on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales.

Growing Through Running

For some members, the group has provided a chance to take part in organised races for the first time.

George, 23, has completed the Ilkley 5K twice since joining. He said he wanted to meet other people and found running helped him feel energised and more comfortable being outdoors.

Other members have also made progress. Alice, 26, says her confidence has grown since joining the group, allowing her to take part in Parkruns in nearby Skipton and Keighley.

Aidan has taken part in two Ilkley 5K races and improved his personal best by four minutes.

A Place to Make Friends

The group is about more than exercise. Many members say the friendships they have developed are one of the most important parts of their weekly runs.

Aaron, 26, was one of the first members. He said the group helps him stay fit while giving him a strong sense of togetherness and support.

Barney, 24, described the weekly meeting as a social occasion where members can come together regardless of what has happened during the rest of their week.

The group runs at the same time as the wider Ilkley Harriers club. This means its members can take part in the same community environment while receiving the support they need.

Building an Inclusive Community

Founder Caroline Tong says running has brought resilience and friendship into her own life, and she wanted more people with learning disabilities to have access to those experiences.

Volunteers now help lead the weekly sessions, adapting the pace so runners can participate comfortably. The group regularly stops to regroup, allowing people with different levels of ability to run together.

The Ilkley Harriers Learning Disability Running Group has now been nominated for the Unsung Project of the Year in the England Athletics regional volunteer awards.

For its members, however, the biggest achievement may be much simpler: showing up each week, running together and leaving with new friends and greater confidence.

Sources

• BBC News — “’I love the inclusivity of our learning disability running group’”
• England Athletics — Regional volunteer awards