Coopah, the digital running coach and training app is launching the RunStart Academy, a run coaching program for groups of individuals who would benefit from additional support and encouragement. From refugees to those struggling with their mental health, the RunStart Academy exists to inspire people to start, and keep, running.

The inaugural eight-week RunStart Academy launches tomorrow, Saturday 7th May at Brueton ParkRun, Solihull at which Coopah will be working with Refugee Support Europe to host a group of Iranian, Yemeni, Iraqi, Kurdish, Sudanese, Nigerian and Ukrainian refugees at the event. ReSole Brixton and Coopah members have donated a range of running trainers and kit alongside Coopah donating a special one off ‘Refugee Run Club’ shirt for each runner.

During the RunStart Academy, groups of individuals from various social backgrounds are invited to join an eight-week coaching programme which includes, a hosted 5k ParkRun on day one and eight weeks of personalised coaching, through our Coopah training app. It culminates in a second ParkRun at the end of the eight weeks to track and celebrate group successes.

“We know that running can help change lives,” says Coopah founder Peter Cooper. “It can give people purpose, improve their physical health and refocus them mentally. Having had personal mental health struggles, I know first-hand how running can change lives.”

Coopah is proud to partner with FuelBank Foundation, Run4yourmind and Refugee Support Europe, allowing them to welcome a new intake every quarter.

Each week, academy members meet virtually to share their progress, discuss openly how they are feeling and to get tips from a range of running experts, including Nick Butter, the first person to run a marathon in every country in the world. At the end of the programme, Coopah provides every graduate with a lifetime app/coaching subscription, so they can continue to benefit from the power of running.

“We’re on a mission to inspire 10 million runners,” continues Cooper. We aim to help people improve their lives through running. For every subscription that you buy, we will donate one to someone in need.”