After establishing Dudley Kingswinford Running Club's ladies section, Rita Vanes moved on to form her own Dudley Ladies Running Club in July 2002 which has now grown to become the largest women-only road running club in the Midlands.

Women use the club to meet, make friends, socialize and run in the dark or countryside surrounded by the safety and security of like minded people.

At its peak in the summer, the club has around 650 members and accommodates ladies from absolute beginners up to seasoned marathon runners.

The youngest member is 12 and the oldest lady is over 60. The smallest is about 8 stone and the largest is over 18 stone, so things are varied and a bit hectic. Good fun ........but hectic.
The clubs success stems from its ability to nurture absolute beginners and develop them into knowledgeable, confident and proficient runners.

Beginners Courses are run every April and within 10 weeks, they are taught all they need to know about running safely. Their Body Fat is monitored and advice is given on what shoes to buy, what clothes to wear and what foods to eat etc while coaching them to run a minimum of 3 miles.
Many beginners go on to do much more than their allotted 3 miles and some are even doing this years London Marathon.

You don't have to be a world beater to join, it's not a club for poseurs, there's no little clichés and you don't have to fit in to a size 8 leotard.

There are no men around to make you run faster or further than you feel comfortable with and there is no stress or pressure to compete or race.

You graduate to your own level, in your own time and make the move to go faster or further when you're ready. No one is ever left to run on their own!

Your questions answered!

Where can I find you?

We leave Wombourne Leisure Centre on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 7.00pm and Sunday mornings at 9.00am.

What training do you do?

In the winter we run shorter distances in the week and do our longer runs on Sunday mornings. In the summer all of our runs are done almost entirely off-road either along the canals or nature trails in the area.

Can I turn up or do I have to join first?

There is no pressure to join. Just turn up and ask for Rita

I am only looking to train for the Virgin London Marathon, how will I find others to train with?

Women of all abilities are training for the London Marathon, so you’re bound to fit in somewhere.