A PORTLAND running club is transforming themselves from couch potatoes to marathon runners.

Members of the Royal Manor of Portland Athletics Club (RMPAC) decided to take on the 'Couch to 5k' nine week challenge.

Couch to 5K is a free and easy way of getting fitter and healthier.

The course gently progresses from alternative walk and running to a 30 minute run without stopping.

Runners taking part completed three runs a week, with a rest day in between, gradually building up their fitness levels.

The nine weeks of hard work paid off when runners took on the Weymouth parkrun on Saturday, March 18.

Gary Haylock from RMPAC said: "On the Saturday 16 runners and four coaches lined up on the starting line at the Weymouth parkrun - a weekly free 5k timed run in through Lodmoor Country Park.

"After a shout out from the Weymouth Park Run crew we were of. Everyone completed the 5K run. The support was unbelievable from both fellow runners and the marshals.

"After finishing everyone was ecstatic, including the coaches. It was a great experience and the feed back from everyone was amazing.

"For me personally this was one of the best experiences ever. It was the first time that we have run a couch to 5K course and it was a bit of an unknown.

"The whole group showed real determination and team work and bonded very quickly. It has been a privilege to share this journey with them.

"The other coaches share this opinion as well.

"The course has been such a success that we are already planning another course to start in September."

The RMPAC club was founded in 1983 and now has more than 80 members.

The group meet on Tuesdays at the YMCA building in Reforne as the starting point for their 45 to 60 minute training runs on the Island.

The club is planning to do the Couch to 25k after the summer.

For more information email royalmanorac@gmail.com, visit rmapc.com or visit the Facebook page: Royal Manor of Portland AC or RMPAC C25K.