Tuesday Club Runs

These are the Clubs main training session. We come together, hail rain or shine over our shared love of running. These runs are a real mix of people wanting to improve their running performance and prepare for racing events and equally about coming together to meet up with friends and make new ones.

We cater for all abilities and can accommodate runners with physical and well-being issues. There are 10 Groups starting with Group 1 which is at a run/walk pace all the way up to Group 10 where we find most of elite runners.

Time and Location:

Start time for all Club Run Groups is 6:30 pm

Club Runs always start and finish at Royton Heath

Any new runners should speak to the Club Captains who will help with selecting the right group. Ask any of the runners at the session to point you to the right person.

Each group is led by an experienced and qualified Club Member. They are responsible for the Group and follow the Club Volunteer Code Of Conduct.

Group Leader Qualifications;

The Clubs Group leaders have qualified from UKA England Athletics:

  1. With a licence to coach called Leadership in Running Fitness (LiRF).
  2. Completed Adult Safeguarding.
  3. First Aid Training.
  4. Fully DBS checked.

Club Policy and Guidance

It is mandatory that all runners who are paid members and those on a temporary trial book into training session in their Connect My Club App (CmC) at least 1 hour before their session.

This is so that Group Leader:

  1. Can register your attendance in CmC.
  2. Access your ICE contact details should an issue arise.
  3. Ensure we are compliant with EA safety and safeguarding guidelines.
  4. Comply with our public liability insurance.

Failure to do so will mean we have to turn members away.

Club Run Policy:

  • Attend the Group Leader briefing before the session.
  • Always take instructions from the Group Leader who will be wearing a Royston Runners orange tabard stating they are the Group Leader.
  • Groups should not be more than 12 runners per Group Leader. Split Groups to accommodate extra runners.
  • Runners are expected to wear Hi Viz (visibility) clothing when the light fades. Failure to do so invalidates the Clubs Insurance meaning runners will be turned away. Hi Viz wear is available for purchase with other Club Kit in your CmC App.
  • Group Leaders will insist on reasonable running shoes and appropriate running kit.

Official Club Run Paces for ‘off and on’ road pace

  • Groups Leaders will be facilitating your running in two ways. Either they will lead the Group at the Official Club Run Paces for ‘off and on’ road pace usually for 60-90 minutes. Or they will offer Groups the opportunity to follow the Clubs Official Monthly training plan developed by our Senior Club Coach.
  • ‘On Road Pace’ during the winter months when evenings are shorter. These are done on the numerous roads, footpaths, lanes, and hills in Royston.
  • ‘Off Road Pace’ is when the days get longer. Starting and finishing the beautiful countryside starting from Royston Health.
  • Please familiarise yourself with the Official Club Run Paces and the Monthly Training Plan which you will find in your CmC App when you join.

Running Etiquette for Club Runs:

  • Always follow the instruction of the Group Leader,
  • Follow the Highway Code.
  • Be aware of the traffic and obstacles around you: this means not covering 
your ears.
  • When running singly, run on the right to face oncoming traffic, except on 
bends with bad sight lines when you should run on the outside of the bend 
(cross well clear of the bend).
  • When running in a Group run on the left with lookouts ahead and behind 
on the outside of bends with bad sight lines.
  • Cross the road as a Group, where possible don’t string out across the road.
  • In the dark beware of holes, kerbs, bollards, roots, and tarmac lifted by tree roots, and poorly levelled or slippery gratings and chamber 
covers.
  • Warn fellow runners of hazards you perceive.
  • Use footpaths where possible.
  • Be aware of pedestrians particularly when running up behind people: it can 
be scary when a Group of heavy breathing individuals run up out of nowhere 
behind you.
  • Leave enough space between you and the runner in front in case of a change 
of direction (including that caused by tripping!) or stopping for traffic.
  • If you are ahead of the Group, please ‘loop back’ for the runners behind you: this will ensure the Group stays together and will ensure that everyone in the Group is getting the best from their run.
  • If you decide to turn back early ensure the Group Leader is informed.

NOTE: if runners are repeatedly looping the Group members should seriously consider transitioning to the Group above.

Out pacing the Group can be;

  1. demotivational for slower runners.
  2. has safety issues for the Group Leaders by reducing their visibility of you because the Group will become fragmented.
  3. impedes your development whereas a faster Group will offer you more challenge.