Flashes of orange now cut through the running community in Hastings.

Grass Routes Trail Running and Outdoor Fitness CIC was founded this summer by director Aimee Whatford, the company aims to address barriers that different people face in accessing outdoor exercise – this includes but is not limited to refugees, BAME and LGBTQ individuals, people with disabilities, mental health issues or complex lives and people with low socioeconomic status.

The profits from their dedicated trail running sessions, along with community grants, help them deliver further support to the local population, encouraging and enabling people to participate in outdoor exercise. Most recently they have been working with charity Tourettes Action to build free workshops for local teens with Tourettes Syndrome.

This month they launch their first sessions open to the general public – ‘Leg It!’ Tuesday 7-8pm and ‘Tough Terrain’ Thursdays 7-8pm, at new exciting locations each week. They are mixed ability events and open to all levels of fitness.

A free couch to 5k program also starts every Thursday morning 9.30am in Alexandra Park. Booking essential see website for details. www.grassroutesrunning.com