Club news

Whether you’re planning your first half marathon or looking to improve on one you’ve already completed, we’d love you to join us.

The Moving On Up to Half Marathon course runs from Monday 14 September to Sunday 6 December 2026 and is designed to help you prepare for your autumn half marathon in a friendly, supportive environment.

Over twelve weeks we’ll combine coached Tuesday evening sessions, supported Sunday long runs and a structured training plan to help you build confidence, fitness and endurance.

The course is suitable for runners who are already comfortable running 10 km at the start of the programme. Beyond that, it doesn’t matter whether your goal is simply to complete your first half marathon or achieve a new personal best – everyone trains together.

What makes the course special?

One of the things people tell us they enjoy most is the sense of community.

Our runners all have different goals and run at different paces, but our sessions are designed so everyone can train together. We make extensive use of loopbacks, allowing runners to work at the pace that’s right for them while remaining part of the group throughout the session. It also means you’ll naturally get to run with lots of different people during the evening, rather than always staying in the
same pace group.

We’re serious about helping you achieve your goal, but we also want the journey to be enjoyable. Encouraging each other, celebrating progress and having a few laughs along the way are all part of what makes the course what it is.

The only thing we ask is that everyone contributes to the friendly and supportive atmosphere that previous participants have helped create.

The Training

Your week will typically include:

• Tuesday evenings – coached interval, hill or skills sessions.
• Sunday mornings – supported long runs, gradually increasing in duration as the course
  progresses.
• Additional independent runs following the weekly training plan.

Each week we’ll share the next stage of the plan with everyone. If you have a compatible Garmin watch you can load many of the sessions onto it, but the plan is always provided in a format that everyone can follow.

Once you’ve joined the course you’ll also be invited to our private Facebook and WhatsApp groups, where we’ll share the weekly plans, answer questions, celebrate achievements and encourage each other throughout the course.

This Year’s Team

This year’s course is led by Peter Bennett (England Athletics Endurance Event Coach, Coach in Running Fitness (CiRF), Leader in Running Fitness (LiRF) and Level 3 Personal Trainer).

Peter first joined a previous Moving On Up course as a participant before later becoming an England Athletics coach.

Helping him this year are Alison Miller, Emma Pritchard, Jodie Pocock, Marco Cannessa and Chris Ives.

One of the things we’re particularly proud of is that many of the people involved with the course first came through Moving On Up themselves. Having experienced the journey first-hand, they’re now giving something back by helping the next group of runners.

In Their Own Words

Rather than us telling you what the course is like, here are a few comments from runners who have already taken part.

Georgia
The most amazing group of supportive people and the most encouraging and knowledgeable run leads. I only started running in May 25, and ran my first half marathon in the December, followed by London Marathon in the April. Would never have got through it without the group. Great advice, loved the WhatsApp group for sharing words of wisdom. The run leads always think of new routes which acts as a great distraction! Loop backs made everyone feel a part of the group, no matter what pace you ran. Would recommend to anyone and everyone, even if they’re not running a half marathon, just for the support and good energy.

Jasmine
If you’re looking to book your first half marathon or increase your running distance, do not hesitate booking onto the Move Up to Half Marathon course! I was anxious joining the course initially as I had only graduated the Redway Runners Beginners course in the
Spring, and had only done a couple of 10k runs. The anxiety quickly disappeared thanks to the amazing support from the Run Leads and encouragement from those in the group, which not only helped build my running confidence, but motivated me to book a late
entry to the Winter Half. The course plan helps increase your running distance without focusing on your pace, which makes the course inclusive to various paces. I cannot thank Peter, Sean, Andy and the helpers on the course enough. Highly recommend!

Sarah
I don’t really enjoy running. I definitely don’t want to do a half marathon again. All the things I think. Then I sign up to the “half marathon course” and just really enjoy the support given by the run leads and everyone is so encouraging. If you have any doubt
you couldn’t be in safer hands.

Susan
The half marathon course gave me the confidence to run the Winter Half with a lot more confidence than I ever thought. The run leads give so much encouragement and are inclusive to everyone (I’m a slow runner). Without this course I would not have run a half marathon. If you’re thinking about doing the course, then sign up!

Laura
I joined the Move Up to Half Marathon course for the first time back in 2024, as the start of my marathon training. I can hand on heart say they are the best group of people I have ever met. There is no judgment, the support you get is second to none whether that be physically or mentally. I recommend this group to everyone I talk to about running. ❤️

Helen
This course reignited my love of running. The support from the run leads and the rest of the group helped me find my mojo again. I learned a lot about the importance of cross training and different paced runs. I’m a back of the pack runner but that never mattered
as the group is kept together by loop backs and the plan focuses on time on feet. Don’t hesitate to sign up for this course. No matter your pace or experience, as you will be in safe hands and great company.

Pippa
I loved the support I got, not just from the run leaders but from other group members too. I’d never run a half marathon before and it was really helpful to have a structured plan to follow, and also found it didn’t matter how “slow” I was as the group caters for all.
It was a great way of doing longer runs in the company of others, and nice to explore routes around areas of Milton Keynes that I wasn’t familiar with.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the course suitable for me?
If you’re already comfortable running 10K when the course begins, then probably yes.

Some runners will be preparing for their first half marathon, while others will be aiming for a personal best. Everyone trains together, supports one another and works at the pace that’s right for them.

Do I need a Garmin watch?
No.

Our training plan is based on an adapted Garmin programme, but everyone receives the same weekly training schedule and guidance regardless of what watch they use—or whether they use one at all.

What are loopbacks?
Loopbacks are one of the ways we keep everyone training together.

Runners work at the pace that’s right for them, while those at the front periodically loop back towards the rest of the group before continuing. This allows everyone to get the training they need while sharing the session together, and gives everyone the opportunity to run with different people throughout the session.

Where do we meet?
Tuesday evening sessions are usually based around Campbell Park as part of the regular Redway Runners interval session, although locations occasionally vary.

Sunday morning long runs start from a variety of locations around Milton Keynes, helping keep the training varied and introducing different routes and terrain.

We’ll always let you know the meeting point in advance.

Do I need to be a Redway Runners member?
Yes. The course is only open to Redway Runners members. you can join on-line and membership is to 31 March.

We’d Love You to Join Us

If you’re looking for a friendly, supportive and enjoyable way to prepare for your next half marathon, we’d love to welcome you to this year’s course.

Bookings are through Redway Runners Love Admin account, then go to ‘Events’ and find ‘Moving Up to Half Marathon, Autumn 2026‘