Might be an AI pic for the header, that one…
To be a club runner or not to be? That is the question.
And, frankly there is no need for a mass debate (childish, yep) as the answer is almost always yes. But, even with attention spans sitting at an all-time low, you probably want a little more detail.
Let’s start with anecdotal evidence from my personal experience. I joined a club for the first time earlier this year, having dipped in and out of casual running for about a decade. I’d been running properly again for about 10 months and felt relatively comfortable running up to 15km.
In under six months, I achieved the following;
- Got back to sub 45 minute 10km times (having been stuck at 45-50 minutes for months),
- Hit a sub 20 minute parkrun time (my first sub 20 5k time in 15 years),
- Built up to running half marathons comfortably.
A combination of healthy competition, more structured training, and the opportunity to lean on the expertise of experienced runners can only aid your cause. My improvement has continued long after the six-month milestone too as I’ve since hit sub 18 at parkrun and knocked over 15 minutes off a half marathon PB that I’d set in 2011.
The benefits of joining a running club extend beyond PBs, though. The social element is equally valuable. Suddenly running isn’t something you have to do on your own. You have people to chat to, people to chase and people to suffer alongside. Oddly, adding some variety to your routines can make solo runs more enjoyable too.
I can’t speak for all clubs, but mine charges an annual fee that equates to less than a single month’s gym membership. Being registered with England Athletics also entitles you to a £2 discount on hundreds of races. Once you’ve done your first race, you’ll appreciate how quickly those savings add up over the course of a season. So, as far as value for money is concerned, it’s hard to find a better investment
Crucially, being a club member opens the door to other events like cross country races that you can’t enter as an unaffiliated runner. Oh, and there’s always another runner who will have found out about an upcoming race.
The sessions also bring a little added structure, making you less likely to sack off training at the last minute, while additionally giving you something to look forward to during the week. Given the struggle for a healthy work-life balance that we all share, this is definitely a blessing.
Verdict: If you’re looking for a cheap and effective way to make running more enjoyable while simultaneously providing a platform to become a better runner, joining a run club is an ideal solution.
