We are a small friendly running club based in Surbiton who welcome new members of ALL standards. We offer experience and advice to newcomers and pride ourselves on our enthusiasm and approachability. In addition to our weekly meetings, we run a Grand Prix competition, scoring points for your performance in races throughout the year, and field cross country teams in the local leagues. Wednesday night is Club Night and we round off the evening in the bar, to give more opportunity to socialize and swap running experiences. Established in 1981, we currently have about 200 members. Furthermore, we hire a bus to take runners and supporters to and from the London Marathon.
Your questions answered!
Where can I find you?
We meet on Mondays and Wednesdays at 7pm at Surbiton Racket and Fitness Club, Berrylands, Surbiton and on Friday nights at 6.45pm we hold a coached “speed session” at Kingsmeadow Athletics Track. (This costs £2.60 per session for use of the track.)
What training do you do?
Monday night is traditionally the beginners / recovery run when NO-ONE gets left behind. But that doesn’t meaning everyone running at the slowest runner’s pace – you just double back to the last runner to keep the group together. We usually have 3 different ability groups. The slow group runs 3-4 miles, the intermediate group does 5-7 and the fast group does approx 8-9.
Wednesday nights are different. We vary long runs with hill sessions, speed work and the Club Handicap. (This is a fun 3 mile race once a month, designed to measure your improvement, although a longer run is always available.)
Running in these sessions is not compulsory. Some people run twice a week, others also organise their own weekend runs or represent the Club in races. What you do is up to you.
Can I turn up or do I have to join first?
You can turn up and see how you find it. Should you wish to join, we charge only £10 a year, and there is a small joining fee of £15 which includes your club vest. You will then be entitled to discounts on various race entry fees and in some specialist running shops.
I am only looking to train for the Virgin London Marathon, how will I find others to train with?
We usually have 20 club members running the Marathon, and their abilities vary, so there will always be someone of your pace to train with, and there should be a run of appropriate length and speed on any given night. You will also meet many marathon veterans who can share tips about how to survive the distance. And who would know better than 26.2 Road Runners Club?
