IT is not every day you get to train with a champion but keep-fitters ran at the opportunity this weekend.

European champion Jenny Meadows was sharing some her secrets to success on a visit to Bolton yesterday.

The athlete was at St Peter and St Paul's RC Primary School taking on a very different kind of lesson.

She was joined by members of Burnden Road runners and guests to brave the chill and rain and be put through their paces in the playground.

It was also an opportunity for Jenny, the fourth-fastest British woman over 800m, to show off her silver medal from the 2010 European Championships.

The silverware was belatedly awarded to her in February after Russian competitor Mariya Savinova was found guilty of doping.

Jenny said: "It's taken seven years and I've now got the silver medal. It's a little bit frustrating but at the same time I'm really proud that the sport is moving in the right direction and is showing it's never too late to correct a wrong.

"That is a really important and powerful message, if you do cheat you will get caught.

"We should be really proud of what we have achieved in British sport and there are a lot of great results.

"You want people to enjoy the sport, just like those here today.

"When I was younger at school I was the only one out running, now it seems like everyone does it! It's really nice to see so many people being active and enjoying it.

"There's some youngsters and older people here today which is really nice and it's good to do something locally with so many people coming along!"

The event started off with a talk and running fitness workshop indoors, before trying out training techniques outside.

After a coaching session the group went for a run, before finishing off indoors with an question and answer session.

School headteacher and Burnden Runners members Vanessa Knowles said: "It's great to have someone as experienced as Jenny here to do some training.

"I went to the the championships in summer so to see a champion in action and listen to her is great!"

Neil Critchley from Burnden Runners, based in Smithills, and M Trotters, based in Bromley Cross, organised the event.

He added: "We are not just happy to have Jenny here because of what she has achieved but she has a brilliant attitude and is a great communicator. She works with the runners really well.

"She is the best of the best!"