Celebrating Frame Running on Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day

Saturday 25th March 2023

Pictured: L-R Francesca Snitjer, Ian Duncan, Finlay Menzies and Graeme Reid of Corstorphine AC

Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day falls on 25 March, and gives us a great reason to celebrate one of the most positive new developments in our sport in recent years – the growth of Frame Running.

The discipline sees athletes using a specially-designed wheeled frame to support them, making running accessible to those with disabilities who may not otherwise get to participate. It is particularly beneficial for those with cerebral palsy, or with other coordination or balance impairments.

The frames – also previously known as RaceRunners – feature a saddle, body support but no pedals, with athletes propelling themselves with their feet on the ground, and steering with their hands or arms.

We are delighted to see more and more athletics clubs now embracing Frame Running, with the purchase of equipment and coaches stepping forward to support athletes using them.

Corstorphine AC has become the first club in Edinburgh to venture into Frame Running, with coaches Graeme Reid, Francesca Snitjer and George Key delivering tailored training to athletes Finlay Menzies, 17, and Ian Duncan, 12.

They have enjoyed initial weekly sessions at Royal High School on Friday afternoons as part of the club’s joint venture with Active Schools Edinburgh.

The club now hopes to add a second offering on Tuesday evenings during the spring and summer track season at its base at the capital’s Saughton Sports Complex. Training is treated as a standard athletics session with a warm-up, two to three units of running, jumping or throwing, followed by a cool-down.

Ian, who has diplegic cerebral palsy affecting his balance and walking, has been training with Team East Lothian for three years, and still completes sessions with their All Abilities section once a week, as well as training at Corstorphine.

With Team East Lothian, he contributed to this great video showcasing the All Abilities section:

Ian represented Scotland at the Cerebral Palsy International Sports and Recreation Association International Cup in Denmark last year and hopes to one day compete in the Paralympics.

He said: ‘Fran and Graeme are so encouraging and happy to adapt any parts of the sessions to suit my abilities.’

His mum Sheena Boss, of Prestonfield, Edinburgh, said: ‘As soon as Ian got on the bike he smiled. It took away all of his barriers. The sport has helped him form friendships with others similar to himself. He loves training with Finlay as he is an older role model.’

Corstorphine AAC captain Graeme Reid hailed the sessions and said each coach gains ‘huge satisfaction’ in helping the athletes advance.

He said: ‘I think it’s a great thing for the club. We advertise that we’re inclusive and now we’re demonstrating that commitment. Hopefully this can be the start of a successful period for frame running in Edinburgh.

‘Now that we have the first few sessions under our belt and a better understanding of how they will work, we hope to gradually expand the numbers. We are exploring various avenues of funding and sponsorship as we’re going to need to purchase at least one frame and a whole load of other equipment.’

To find out more about frame running at Corstorphine AAC, contact Chris Peggie on secretary@caac.org.uk.

To find out more about frame running at Team East Lothian, contact Lesley Buchan on teammanager@teameastlothian.org.uk.

With thanks to Neil Hutton and Sue Gyford

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Forth Valley Flyers, an athletics club for those with a physical, sensory or intellectual impairment, is looking to recruit a Level 2 Athletics Coach – for more information contact flyers.cto@hotmail.com.

@FVFlyers are recruiting a L2 Athletics coach to be part of a dynamic and passionate workforce based at Grangemouth Stadium. This could lead to a paid role

Anyone interested please contact flyers.cto@hotmail.com 31.3.23 @scotathletics @SALinclusion @Cara_Shearer94 @SDS_sport pic.twitter.com/g272vUKXgg

— Pamela Robson (@PamRobson_11) March 17, 2023