Introducing: Andrea Linton

Hi everyone, my name is Andrea and I began running in 2013 as a way to keep fit and meet people. I joined my local club, Sperrin Harriers and in 2015 I became a LiRF, then shortly after I became a CiRF. I am still Coaching with the club.

How Mid Ulster Academy started

In 2016 when there wasn’t as many running clubs and programs as there are now, I found that there was a gap for beginners so I started a couch 25k program. This was so popular that we did 3 programs over the summer. A lot of the runners did not want to run with an affiliated club and asked would we just keep the training nights going, and we did. Due to Covid we missed over a year of training as a group but recently everyone has been meeting up weekly.  I coach with Sperrin Harriers as I've mentioned and I've worked with the local Council on all their programs for the past 6 years as well as private businesses and Schools. I really enjoy Couch 25k programs having coached over 50 classes in the past 6 years. I especially love seeing everyone cross that finish line on their first race. I coach all ages and have coached runners with disabilities. I'm also a guide runner and am qualified in 365 Coaching. At the minute I'm more involved with coaching at schools and local projects but if anyone is interested in running, I will advise them on what programs are on in the area and what would be best for them.