A SOCIAL media running group has cycled the entire boundary of mainland England, Wales and Scotland in just a matter of weeks.

Members of six-month-old Facebook group Fuelled by Fun saddled up to complete together – some from the comfort of their own homes.

Unlike conventional fitness group, the more flexible venture by friends Nic Kay, 42, and Nik Griffiths, 44, sees members share their running, cycling or swimming achievements online.

The pair, from Winsford and Tarporley, respectively, met at Weaver Warriors triathlon club and continued running together at Delamere Forest after the club disbanded.

Nik said: “We did set up a small running club Run Forest Run about 12 months ago at Delamere Forest, but there were so many people who are so busy and couldn’t join in at that particular time.

“People can just go out at their own leisure. We have also started doing challenges so that people can see as a collective how far they have gone.

“The challenge has taken us around the mainland of England, Wales and Scotland and over to Ireland, and having that visual reference helps people see how far they have cycled.

“Whether people contribute two miles or 200, everyone has taken part. We have really experienced cyclists and people who have had to dust off their bikes after a number of years.”

Despite most of the group’s members having never met face to face, the community feel is strong.

For the two founders, there is a special reason to encourage new people to join and get active.

Nik said: “Both of us had had small issues with mental health and discovered that exercise in general helped with that.

“The more we work with people that join in, there are more and more people like that who have turned to exercise.

“The whole thing about it is having fun, and not being precious about time or pushing to the point where you don’t enjoy it anymore.

“We set up the group and encouraged people to share their experiences and keep them motivated.

“If people put up pictures of runs or cycles, it helps encourage other people to join in, and suggest new routes to try and things like that.”

While mostly north west-based, the group has seen some of its 150-plus members join from places such as Yorkshire and London.

You can see what it’s all about online at facebook.com/groups/fuelledbyfun or fuelledbyfun.com