While you may be keen to exercise outdoors during the winter months, we all know it can be hard to keep yourself motivated when it’s cold and dark outside.

One local group that’s not letting less daylight and lower temperatures put them off is Girl Gang Running (GGR); five women who run to get fit and have fun doing it.

The group was co-founded by friends Emily and Donna and includes Zoë, Amy and new member, Jenny. An important part of maintaining the enjoyment and making sure everyone feels safe while they’re out and about is planning their routes ahead of each week’s runs.

“What we love about The Bridgwater Way is it offers us such a fantastic resource,” says Emily. “The route planner section on the website helps us find safe routes around town and allows us to share them with our ladies each week.”

With the nights drawing in and winter fast approaching, finding safe, well-lit routes is vital for the group’s motivation, spurring them on to get out during the darker evenings and keep being active.

“It’s not always easy to fit exercise in as our weeks are busy but by teaming up, we keep each other going with lots of encouragement,” adds Emily.

“We urge others wanting to increase their fitness to give The Bridgwater Way routes a try. The website is really easy to use and the perfect partner for our little running group.”

If you’re considering taking up running, The Bridgwater Way route planner can be a useful resource for preparing where and how far you want to go. It can also help you find ways to fit exercise into your everyday routine, encouraging active travel and a healthier lifestyle as a result.