Formed by Streetcage Sports in January 2011, the 'Street feet' project is based around a number of locations on Merseyside including Sports centre's, Community Centre's, Schools, Gyms, Boxing Clubs and many more. As well as exploring the streets of Merseyside the project also gets people to take pride in the local areas they live in by promoting clean routes, tidy routes, exploring photography and much more.

The runners can also sit together and explore workshops such as Nutrition and health advice as well as performance management and conditioning. It's all about fitness and social interaction rolled into one with the added enjoyment that everyone is in this together.

Finally, should you want to push on and get involved with official running events, the Street feet team will looking to recruit you to join their events team. This team will be competing in a number of events throughout 2011 ranging from 5ks all the way through to full marathons. This events team is managed and lead by experienced runner and company Director Matthew Shannon.

What are the aims of the project?

For too long now, people perceptions of running is one that is boring, painful with no enjoyment or social interaction with others. Street feet allows people of all abilities, ages, race and sex an opportunity to socially interact with others and explore the area they live in, in a safe way as well as becoming fitter and healthier in the process.

It will help create a new association towards running that it one of enjoyment, satisfaction, a need to continue and achieve the goals set out by the instructors. As a result, Street feet will encourage more people to get involved with running and share the experiences and achievements with us as the North west becomes healthier and fitter.

Who is it aimed at?

The project is aimed at lots of different groups which include

• Primary & Secondary Schools
  
• NHS & PCT's
  
• Community Programmes
  
• Community Centre's
  
• Private and Public Gyms & Sports centres
  
• Youth Clubs
  
• Church groups
  
• Community groups
  
• Friends & family members

And many more!!!!

Groups

Street feet runs are based on the concept of group running. We all help each other along, sharing experiences and attitudes towards running, chatting along the way. Faster runners help slower runners without the slower runners feeling like they're holding the group back, making for a safe and friendly run for all involved.
It's important that everyone runs with the most relevant group to make sure every runner in each group has a similar speed and approach to running. Read the descriptions below to see which group you should join.

Adults

Road Runners

You so you get up and run 7 mile with ease, your out in snow, wind and rain regardless of how bad it is, you have had that running gait analysis test and you have a top of the rangepair of Asics trainers that you use to pound the pavements each night. You enjoy competing, you run marathons and I love the feeling of pain at the end of that race. Well this is the group for you. With strong instructors leading from the front and the back, this group will cover a range of routes across Merseyside putting you through your paces. You can take up the opportunity to enter races and events throughout the year both locally up to internationally.

Grey hound

You enjoy running and get out a few times a week to do between 6 – 12 miles at any onetime, you enjoy half marathons and have a completed a few along the way. You enjoy staying fit and like idea of being pushed by instructors and other competitors to see if you can really make that grade and push for a PB. If this sounds familiar, this group is for you.

Hares

You have forced yourself to buy a new pair of running shoes and the new trendy outfit, however you only manage a few runs a week to keep you in reasonably good shape. You are not the fastest, however you can complete a nice slow jog for a few miles whilst having a chat to the runner next to you. You have completed or would like to complete a 5k run and maybe even a 10k run to see how you feel. You just need a push and are already excited at reading this section. Does this sound familiar? If so this is the group for you. With instructors of similar ability and enthusiasm, you will push each other completing smaller runs as a group to get you fit and on your way.

Snails

You have felt those jeans digging in a bit more than you used to and your new years resolution of starting jogging in January is no good as its May. It's a new day and you've decided that it's time to get in shape. You're aiming to complete a 5k eventually but for now you're happy to get your shoes on once a week and hit the road so you can say you have done it. When the rain starts falling you're not going anywhere but to the sofa but you like the feeling of running in a group and feel motivated when other people are around. Does this sound familiar? If so this is the group for you. With instructors of similar ability and enthusiasm, you will push each other completing smaller runs as a group to get you fit and on your way.

Children

Children are also split into 2 categories depending on their running ability and fitness levels and instructors are assigned to each group.

Clothing & Equipment

Water

If you do not love the taste of water then you're going to have to trick your body into thinking it's the best liquid on earth as water and running go hand in hand like hand in glove. You're supposed to drink at least 2 litres a day anyway to hydrate your body for daily survival but once running enters your life you might find yourself drinking even more. Bodies like water so to get your body round your target distance make sure you've got some in your body, it will thank you later.

Shoes

Running puts a big strain on your feet and knees and without a good pair of running shoes your career is going to be short lived Get yourself down to your local running shop and tell them that you you've finally got yourself off the sofa and are hitting the road. Ask for a pronationtest or gait analysis which is where they video how you run, how your feet strike the ground and then recommend the correct running shoes. Do not go for the first pair you see that look good, listen to experts as these shoes will be your friend for the next 500 miles of training.


Clothes

Running has a wonderful way of playing with the temperature of your body but thankfully there is a wide selection of garms you can wear while out pounding the pavement that can help regulate your insides. Get yourself a good running top as this will absorb the sweat whilst your running. The less weight you have to drag around the better and it's not fun to run with a waterlogged tee shirt that stinks of your sweat. A well-ventilated running top will pay dividends when the going gets tough.

Your legs are going to need to something to cover them up from the elements. Concede defeat and accept the fact that your relationship with Lycra is going to become more intense and yes at first it may feel weird to be running around in public in a pair of tights but boy do they feel good when the rain starts to fall. If still unconvinced then drop a pair of running shorts over the top RDC style and you're good to go.

Locations

Street feet will be launched in January 2011 across Schools and Communities across Merseyside. For more information on how you can get involved please check out the events page or contact us to arrange your very own Street feet programme in your area. Alternatively call Matthew Shannon on 0781 455 1647.