Mornington Chasers is a sociable North London running club catering for runners of all levels from complete beginners to 6 minute milers. We are based near Camden Town, and participate in a wide range of events, both in the UK and Internationally, including our own 6 Race Winter Grand Prix 10K Race Series in The Regent's Park. The social side is very important - we enjoy chatting over tea and biscuits after our midweek training runs and our social committee organises a number of events throughout the year including pub lunches after races, 10 pin bowling evenings, theatre outings and more plus our annual Christmas party.
Your questions answered!
Where can I find you?
We are based at Talacre Sports Centre in Kentish Town - a state-of-the-art community gymnasium sports centre. Talace has full changing and shower facilities, lockers are available at a cost of 20p.
Talacre is conveniently situated next to Kentish Town West overland railway station and just a short walk from Kentish Town, Camden Town or Chalk Farm tubes (Northern line). There are also lots of bus routes that go near the centre.
What training do you do?
We provide a training schedule for all standards. We run three times a week - Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 7.00pm and on a Sunday morning at 9.30am for a longer run.
Tuesdays evening sessions are devoted to training runs. During the winter we tend to stick to the roads with routes through Primrose Hill, St John’s Wood, Highgate, and Madame Tussauds. We have different paced groups so there’s a long 7-8 mile run, a 6-mile run and a slower 4-mile run available. In the summer we go to Hampstead Heath and The Regents Park for scenic semi-cross-country runs.
Thursday evening sessions alternate between track training with our club coach Bernie Barnaby, and hill training on Primrose Hill. The track sessions offer a fantastic alternative training opportunity, and can really help improve times.
Those that have never run before can join the Gentle Joggers a dedicated group aimed at helping the real beginner. Gentle Joggers only meet at Talacre at 7pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Can I turn up or do I have to join first?
Feel free to turn up on a Tuesday evening when we welcome prospective new members. We meet in the entrance hall of Talacre where you will be greeted by one of the team captains. Alternatively you can email join@chaser.me.uk, giving an overview of your pace and experience, and let us know when you plan to come along so we can expect you. Stay for refreshment after running. No cost.
Once you’re happy and wish to join the club ask for a membership form and send it to the address provided.
I am only looking to train for the Virgin London Marathon, how will I find others to train with?
We always have club members training for the Virgin London Marathon, from first timers to experienced marathon runners. Just come along to the club where you will be introduced to fellow marathon runners. Some members decide to meet up and train with each other outside of club activities. As a club we do our best to support and motivate marathon runners, but we don’t actually provide rigid and disciplined marathon training programmes of our own but recommend those suggested by other organisations such as Runners World.
