Miles better for women

Members of the West Hull Ladies Running Club take part in an organised race, and below, gather for team shots

These are just some of the runners who are improving their fitness with the West Hull Ladies Running Club.
As the only all-women running club in the city, it is attracting new members of varying abilities aged from their teens to their late 50s, who are all reaping the benefits of regular exercise.
"I have been running for nearly a year and thoroughly love the confidence and health benefits I have gained," says club member Julia Lovel.
"We are a supportive and welcoming group of women who are promoting the health benefits of running at a time when Hull is always getting slated for having lazy and unhealthy residents.
"I couldn't run up the stairs this time last year and now I have run in several races and am looking to do my first half marathon."
Club members meet on Monday, Wednesday and Friday evenings and train together in groups for personal safety.
They carry out regular distance runs of between five and eleven miles in Hull and speed work of four to six miles in Pearson Park and West Park.
They also 'buddy' new members by providing running advice and training plans.
The women will be entering a number of organised events this year including the Beverley 10K on 10 May, the Humber Bridge 10K on 31 May, and the Humber Half Marathon on 14 June.
West Hull Ladies Running Club is based at Hull Sports Centre in Chanterlands Avenue and is affiliated to the English Athletics Association.

For more information visit www.westhullladies.org.uk

Chance of a lifetime

Eight amateur rugby league players from Hull have been selected to represent Great Britain on a tour of the South Sea Islands next month.
The three-week tour, organised by the British Amateur Rugby League Association (BARLA), will include international fixtures against Fiji, Tonga and the Cook Islands.
Four of the players play at Skirlaugh ARLFC, while two play for Myton Warriors, one for East Hull, and the others for Hull Dockers.
"Even at amateur level, representing your country is a massive honour," said Rob Gill, secretary of Skirlaugh amateur rugby league club.
"It speaks volumes for how strong the game is in this area."
As well as strict training regimes, the lads have to watch what they eat and drink.
"They give up a lot – it's straight in from work and out to the gym," said Julie Waller, mum of squad member Brett Waller, from James Reckitt Avenue.
The lads each need to raise £2,000 to meet the cost of the trip.
Anyone who can help should contact Alan Towle on 07710 963196.