Ballymena Runners launch Cosy Sofa 2026 to help beginners go from couch to 5K
- Love Ballymena
- Jan 1
- 2 min read
Ballymena Runners have announced the return of their popular Cosy Sofa programme for 2026, offering local people the chance to take their first steps into running in a friendly, supportive and community-focused environment.
The eight-week programme will run from Tuesday 6 January to Tuesday 3 March 2026, with weekly sessions beginning at 7:00pm in the Sports Zone Hall at Northern Regional College (NRC), Ballymena.
Parking will be available at the Ballymena Showgrounds, accessed via St. Patrick’s Link, just a short walk from the venue.
Designed for complete beginners and those returning to exercise, Cosy Sofa aims to help participants progress gradually until they can run continuously for 30 minutes or potentially complete a 5km parkrun by the end of the programme.
Organisers say the initiative has already helped hundreds of people move from inactivity to regular running.
The programme is led by trained and experienced leaders, supported by long-standing club members — many of whom started their own running journeys through Cosy Sofa. Weekly runs will take place every Tuesday evening, with additional guided and independent runs forming part of a structured training plan.
Ballymena Runners describe themselves as a community-based club with more than 300 members of all abilities, built on the principle that “running is for everyone”. The club prides itself on supporting both faster and slower runners alike, with encouragement and inclusivity at the heart of its ethos.
A key aim of the club is to help non-runners build confidence, fitness and enjoyment through initiatives such as Cosy Sofa, introducing participants to the parkrun concept while also offering mental health, physical wellbeing and social benefits.
The £25 entry fee covers the full eight-week programme and includes:
Two fully supported runs each week led by experienced leaders
Guidance and encouragement from club members
A Ballymena Runners branded high-visibility technical T-shirt on completion
A Ballymena Runners medal
A celebration and graduation evening to mark participants’ achievements
Numbers are capped at 100 participants, and organisers advise early booking due to strong demand in previous years. Participants must be aged 16 or over and injury-free at the start of the programme.
Runs are structured around three sessions per week: a coached group run on Tuesday evenings, an independent midweek run, and a Saturday parkrun session at the Ecos Nature Park, led by club leaders.
Participants are encouraged to wear high-visibility and reflective clothing, particularly during winter evenings, and to dress appropriately for weather conditions.
Club representatives acknowledge that “getting out the door is the hardest step”, but emphasise that every runner will be supported throughout the programme, regardless of fitness level or pace.
Entries close on Monday 5 January 2026, with places already filling quickly.
More information and online entry is available by tapping the button below.
Further details about the club can be found at:
Facebook: @Ballymenarunners
