A RECORD 260 people have signed up to Sandwell Leisure Trust’s latest Couch to 5K initiative.

The nine-week course, which sees non-runners start from scratch and build up to managing 5,000 metres, kicked off last Sunday at Old Hill Cricket Club.

It’s being led by SLT’s Haden Hill Leisure Centre Fitness team and interest has even surpassed the recently completed Couch to 5K event at the Trust’s Tipton Sports Academy.

Neil Duggan from the trust's marketing and business development team, said: "Demand and interest has been phenomenal as word spreads about the inspirational body shape changing and health transformation experiences that our Couch to 5K participants have both enjoyed and achieved.

“It was a stunning Sunday morning - with the gloom just lifting before the new runners arrived – and with family, friends and work colleagues cheering them on too, it created a superb community atmosphere.”