TrailFam Cornwall launches with first run in Tehidy woods

A group of children spent a morning tearing through Tehidy woods this month, learning how to move over roots and mud and open trail. It was the first Cornwall session for a charity that had never operated in the county before, and by the sound of it, nobody wanted to stop.

TrailFam has arrived in Cornwall. The charity calls itself the UK’s first and only youth organisation dedicated to connecting young people with nature through trail running, or, in its own words, “the UK’s only trail running crew for young people”. It has now brought its programmes to communities across the county under the banner TrailFam Cornwall. The aim is a simple one, to make trail running available to every young person in Cornwall, whatever their background or experience.

A first session in the woods

Community sessions are already up and running. The first, on 12 July in Tehidy woods, brought together an excited group of young people who ran wild in the surroundings, picked up trail running techniques and, by the charity’s account, had a great deal of fun along the way.

TrailFam is keen to stress that no experience is needed. Every child is welcome, whether they run regularly or simply want to try the sport in a safe and friendly setting. The next community run is on Friday 21 August at 10am, meeting at Gwithian car park.

The charity behind it

TrailFam was founded in 2020 by Danny Stokes. A trail runner and secondary school teacher, Danny saw the effect the Coronavirus pandemic was having on his students and started the charity as a way to improve young people’s lives through nature. The mission from the first day was to make movement in nature and the outdoors reachable for all. TrailFam is now a registered charity (number 1202410).

Its tagline, “unleashing the wild potential of young people”, captures the pitch. TrailFam talks about bringing the colour, energy and attitude to the sport that only the young can bring, and it points to the physical, mental and social benefits of being active outdoors. The work is built around three routes into the sport. The Schools Programme is a school enrichment offer aligned with Ofsted guidelines and the new Enrichment framework, shaped around each individual school. The Performance pathway is a specialised coaching programme for exceptional young trail runners, giving them the chance to travel and compete at events at home and abroad. The Community strand welcomes young people from all backgrounds, offering friendship, adventure and a way into the sport.

How to get involved

Booking details for the Cornwall sessions are shared through the TrailFam Cornwall Facebook and Instagram pages (no direct links were supplied with the announcement, so parents will need to search for the pages). Anyone wanting to learn more about the charity or support its work can visit the TrailFam website.

The next date is already set. Friday 21 August, 10am, Gwithian car park, and every child welcome.