Couch to 5K

Have you ever thought of running a 5K but don’t know how to train for it? UnityPoint Health – Meriter invites you to join our Couch to 5K Running Club. The Couch to 5K is a plan developed to help beginners get into running. Your coaches will be UnityPoint Health – Meriter therapy staff.

Often when trying to get into exercise, we can overdo it, feel defeated and give up when we’re just getting started. Couch to 5K works because it starts with a mix of running and walking to gradually build up your fitness and stamina. It creates realistic expectations and makes the challenge feel achievable right from the start.  

As part of the Couch to 5K program you also get the benefits of training with a group of people! The team atmosphere is supportive and motivating for participants to stick with the training.  

The Couch to 5K program offers introductory training program designed for novice runners over a 14 week period of time.

The best part of the Couch to 5K program is that it is FREE! In addition, if you attend at least one session each week for 8 of the 14 weeks, you will also receive a FREE entry for the Madison Mini 5K on August 10, 2024. 

Important Information:

• Dates & Times: Tuesdays at 5:45PM and Thursdays 4:00PM. First day of practice starts the week of May 7th.
• Location: UnityPoint Health - Meriter Hospital, meet outside on the corner of Brooks and Mounds Streets.
• Parking: Meriter Parking Ramp
• Waiver: Please make sure to sign a paper waiver your first day of practice. They will be available when you arrive.