The Running School has opened its first franchise in Ireland, at the Sports Injuries Sports Medicine Clinic in Castlebar, County Mayo.

Founded by Mike Antoniades, The Running School is a franchise-based concept designed to teach anyone - from children to elite athletes - how to run faster and more efficiently in the space of six hours.

The Sports Injuries Sports Medicine Centre - which offers a physio clinic, rehab room and performance centre (gym) - has an existing client base comprising both recreational and elite athletes.

The Running School concept has been introduced not only to help improve performance and speed, but also to ensure that clients in the final stages of rehab are running efficiently before ramping up their training.

It will operate as a full franchise operation on-site, with staff being trained in all of the methodologies and protocols.

The Running School now hopes to roll out further franchises in Ireland, as well as expanding operations in the UK.