COVID-19 may have had its challenges but Pitreavie AAC's Endurance section (PAACE) are moving back towards normality stronger than ever.

Membership of the group, which had numbered below 30 previously, now sits at an impressive 205 and they have been rewarded with a suitable offering for a range of runners.

A strategy developed by coaches Campbell Blair and Nicola Moriarty envisaged a running club that appealed from budding runners to the fastest, which also facilitated running progression in a fun and friendly atmosphere.

Its rise in membership is testament to that work, and they have kept engaged and motivated to exercise throughout the last 18 months thanks to member-only 'virtual' events, which included 5K time trials; a weekend 'virtual' Land's End to John O' Groats challenge; a fundraising run near Loch Fitty; a trail run series to introduce more members to local, off-road paths; and a running ladder, allowing participants to increase running distances progressively.

PAACE also launched small group training bubbles, fully compliant with Scottish Athletics' coronavirus guidance, which have proved so popular that they now accommodate 190 runners across 17 such bubbles, and has seen the club extend its reach with one based in South Queensferry, attracting new members from the other side of the Forth.

The recent easing of restrictions has allowed them to start holding training sessions in larger groups – with the small bubbles continuing to run parallel – and, although they aren't the same size as in days before COVID, they have allowed members the opportunity to become used to training with different people and make it easier for them to follow a structured training plan.

Recent PAACE successes have included a 'Couch to 5K' graduation for their affiliated Jog Scotland Group – Ready, Steady, Go Pitreavie – in Kirkcaldy's Beveridge Park, which saw those involved buddied by Jog Scotland leaders and PAACE buddies over a challenging 5K route.

Since then, the group has been able to participate in a larger group training session in Aberdour, with smaller, breakout groups on the day catering for those with different running needs.

Experienced members have also enjoyed success, such as Mike Gudgeon, who ran the Fife Coastal Path in aid of the NHS in under 27 hours, and David Henderson and Ben Fraser (pictured), who both achieved PBs of one hour, 23 minutes and 58 seconds, and 1:30.53, at the Sunderland half marathon, with the former taking two minutes off his previous best time.

As a result of PAACE's achievements, both Blair and Moriarty were asked to present their approach to Scottish Athletics, with a club spokesperson adding that it was "fantastic recognition for the hard work they’ve both put into ensuring PAACE remains a successful, fun and welcoming local running club".