New Year, new you - easy to say but what are you actually going to do about it?

If you have vowed to get some more exercise in 2020 but are put off about going for a run on your own, here are five great ways to get fit and to make new friends along the way.

There are a host of organisations and clubs in and around Bolton who welcome new members. It doesn’t matter if you are a complete beginner or a more experienced runner - there is something out there for you.

As with all our five things, it's not a meant to be a comprehensive list

Bolton Parkrun

New Year, new you - easy to say but what are you actually going to do about it?

If you have vowed to get some more exercise in 2020 but are put off about going for a run on your own, here are five great ways to get fit and to make new friends along the way.

There are a host of organisations and clubs in and around Bolton who welcome new members. It doesn’t matter if you are a complete beginner or a more experienced runner - there is something out there for you.

BL5K

A group set up to get beginners into running based around the NHS ‘couch to 5k’ program.

Meeting every Monday at 6.30pm at the car park at the side of Leverhulme Park running track, the group gradually builds up and time and distance covered each week giving runners the confidence to tackle a 5K at the end of the programme.

Taking part is completely free. More details from www.bl5k.co.uk

Burnden Road Runners

The idea of joining a running club might be off-putting but Burnden Roadrunners offer a warm welcome to runners of all abilities and ages.

The club hosts a new starters group to ease new members and also holds weekly training sessions every Monday from 7pm at Smithills Sports Centre.

For more details about the club, you can email Paul Christie at chairman@burndenroadrunners.co.uk.

North Bolton Road Runners

A relatively new group which has gone from strength the strength.

The club now meets three times a week and offers organised runs ranging from a ‘chatty’ four miler to a speedy six miler. The club meets on Mondays at 7pm at Dunscar War Memorial and Tuesday and Wednesday at 7pm at Bromley Cross Railway Station.

There are also regular social events.

For more information visit www.northboltonrunners.co.uk

Lostock AC

Established in the early 1980s, the club welcomes runners of all abilities.

So if you just want to run for pleasure or become more competitive with your running, you will find something for you.

The club meets every Wednesday at 7pm at Horwich Leisure Centre and anyone interested in finding out more is invited to go along and have a chat and see for themselves.

The club also offers cycling and swimming for those who want to broaden their exercise routine.

Details from www.lostockac.co.uk.