Welcome to the jogscotland Podcast!

jogscotland was started in 2002 by scottishathletics – with support from NHS Health Scotland, sportscotland and the Scottish Government’s Healthy Living Campaign, and is continuing to go from strength to strength with a presence in 31 out of the 32 local authorities in Scotland.

jogscotland is a truly unique healthy living initiative that is leading the world when it comes to jogging. It has helped over 13,000 Scots improve their lifestyle through structured walking, jogging and running programmes tailored at all levels of ability from complete beginner up to people who will be training for organised races, 10k’s, and ½ marathons.

jogscotland creates local jogging groups for members who will be supervised through a gentle series of progressive programmes by specially trained Jog Leaders. The beginner’s level starts with a very gentle walk-jog programme to ensure newcomers are introduced gradually. The intermediate and advanced level develop people through from jogging to running. To help people get started and involved the bronze membership level of jogscotland is free.

There are four main elements to the jogscotland programme – Community, Workplace, Events and Junior jogscotland. A key aspect of jogscotland’s work is the local partnership with councils, health boards, private health clubs and other bodies involved in promoting active lifestyles and health. There are currently 260 community jogscotland groups spread nationwide.

Scotland has 129 jogscotland workplace groups running within companies and organisations that are committed to improving the health and welfare of their staff. These are led by trained Jog Leaders who are members of staff with an interest in physical activity.

This year will see the sixth year of jogscotland’s 5k event programme. These 5k runs are held at scenic locations through out Scotland and are supported by The Co-operative. Last year saw around 4000 Scots taking part in the challenge series.

The newest challenge that jogscotland are attempting to tackle is the growing concern of child obesity in Scotland. jogscotland have developed a Junior jogscotland programme that uses resource pack cards full of fun running based games which encourage all children to actively participate in the sessions while having loads of fun. Rolled out in 2007, this programme is already proving to be a runaway success with over 300 Primary Schools and Youth Groups around the country taking part.

Now jogscotland has it's very own monthly podcast by The Podcast Channel, keeping you up to date with the very latest about the organisation.

Find out more about us at: www.jogscotland.org.uk