Sheffield student starts 'no-pressure' women's running group

Libby Holmes set up Run For Fun Sheffield so women could run at their own pace without feeling intimidated

A student who set up a running group aimed at women "intimidated" by competitive clubs said her group had attracted more than 100 new starters.

Sheffield PhD student Libby Holmes said women often felt intimated when running alone or with experienced athletes.

Ms Holmes' Run For Fun Sheffield page on Instagram has amassed more than 1,800 followers in its first month.

She said: "I just wanted to create a really safe and secure environment" for runners who can "go at their own pace".

Ms Holmes said the Run For Fun group catered for all abilities

Ms Holmes, who is studying for a PhD in biophysics at the University of Sheffield, told the BBC: "I started [posting videos] aimed at slow runners, encouraging people to take walk breaks during a run in a no-pressure environment.

"I really want it to be aimed at a no-pressure environment, people can go at their own pace.

"It hopefully caters to all abilities, we have people who've never run before who come and feel like they can start."