Neilston and Newton Mearns duo set up free running group in Glasgow

Sam Gage and Scott King, both 26, have started a free beginner running club in Cathcart after recently moving into the area from Neilston and Newton Mearns.

The duo who are very fitness-focused wanted to start a class that would help people get out of the house and keep active, as well as meet others in their new community.

Sam, who is originally from Neilston, has always been into sports such as running, rugby and football, and he recently completed two ultramarathons on the same day. 

He said: "Since starting the classes three weeks ago, the response has been incredible. 

"We wanted to start something like this as it was a good way to meet like-minded people in the community, plus having only moved in a month ago there was no better time to do it. 

"People have been messaging us saying how it has been really good for the community as there hasn't been something like this before for free."

Sam and Scott with one of their classes (Image: Gordon Terris)

The classes take place at Holmlea Park in Cathcart and run from Monday to Friday at 6am.

The pair have also started their own brand that is connected with the class called Koba, which allows people not in the area to still benefit from tips that they give.

Scott, who is from Newton Mearns, and has competed in competitions for Taekwondo and Muay Tai fighting, highlights that the group is for everyone, no matter the level of running experience.

He said: "We have a WhatsApp chat that we put times we run in and the schedule for the week so people know what is happening.

"The range of the group goes from people who have done marathons before to some who have never done any sort of length.

"The goal was to create a consistent class that people could come along to and help improve their fitness as we will always be doing it.

"Creating Koba allows us to post what we do for people a lot further than this community, and ultimately helps others benefit from what those in the class do from afar."

The aim for Sam and Scott is to get everyone who comes to the classes to be able to complete the 5k park run at Victoria Park at the end of September.

They hope that it also shows people what can be achieved if they take small steps towards an end goal. 

Scott added: "The goal of the park run is just the start and we want to get everyone who comes and sticks with it to be able to complete that 

"We hope that with these free classes, we can get as many people to be able to complete a 5k as possible and hopefully create a small running community that people can feel proud to be part of."

If you would like to find out more about Koba, you can find them on social media at koba.run