.
. COMPLETE BEGINNERS
COURSE . . 
If you have done very little running and don’t think you
can run more than half a mile, or less, but really want to
get started, the Club periodically run a complete beginners
course.
You’ll be encouraged to jog / walk / jog / walk for
gradually increasing distances along with others in the
same condition as yourself.
You’ll soon be jogging all the way for a mile or so and
then ready to face longer distances.
Our friendly coaches start new groups of beginners,
normally on the first Mondays in March, June and September
at Rowley Park Track in Stafford.
The
next beginners group will commence at 6.30pm on Monday 1st
March at Rowley Park.
It will be an eight week session designed to get you up to
running for a continuous period of 30 minutes/3 miles,
which will then enable you to move up to the other group
which meets at 6.00pm on Monday's.
If you cannot make the first 2 weeks then it would be best
to wait until the next course.
To
discuss possibly joining a new or existing group, ring
Nigel Addison on 01785 662419.
MORE
EXPERIENCED JOGGERS / RUNNERS
If you can run 3 - 4 miles without stopping, regardless of
speed, you will be welcome to join us anytime - see
our Training Sessions
page
after reading below:
.
A small group
of our "Monday Nighters" after their evenings run.
JOIN US
Enjoy jogging / running
but not got around to joining a local running club ?
Think that joining a club is too much commitment ?
Think that membership fees will be too expensive ?
Find it hard to get out for a jog / run ?
In the summer months it’s
so much more enjoyable to be outside fit and active than
staying indoors.
And the beautiful weather (hopefully) makes it so much more
encouraging to get out there.
And it’s even easier to do that when you have friends that
want to do it as well.
If you don’t already have friends who want to, you’ll find
new friends at a club.
So join a running club !
In winter months the
evenings are dark - especially with all those rain clouds
about !
It's far less attractive to get outside and exercise in the
dark, cold and wet.
But meeting up with others to do some running is more
appealing, fun and safer.
So join a running club
!
The days when running
clubs were the sole preserve of ultra-competitive elite
racers are long gone.
Now Clubs cater for all types of runners, from beginner fun
runners, through stay-fit non competitive regular runners,
up to serious pace-setters.
While everyone will change their goals as a runner over
time, you need to find a group of runners that are on the
same wavelength as you.
And you want a group who are conveniently based to make it
easy for you to join their group sessions - from home or
from work.
Here are some of the
advantages of Club membership that might appeal to you:
1...You'll find that entries to races will be cheaper by £1
- £3
2...You'll be able to enjoy discounts at local sports shops
3...You'll have someone to run those dark streets with in
winter
4... You'll find someone
to chat to on long summer evening runs
5...You'll make new
friends - male and female.
6... You'll find someone to encourage you to improve
7...You'll find endless sources of advice - and not just
about running
8... You'll find
recommendations for local massage therapists & physio's
- to relieve aching muscles & bones
9... You'll be able to
share transport & costs when traveling to races
(or maybe even commuting)
10... You'll be able to enjoy social outings and events
with Club members - even international travel with new
friends
11... Almost certainly you'll enjoy the camaraderie of
belonging to a group of like minded people.
As
a community club the Harriers has members from 8 to 80
years of age. Membership numbers stand at over 200 with
those of ladies in particular on the increase.
So
there is no better time to join Stafford Harriers – you can
try us out before you have to commit to
membership.
whether
you want to start jogging to keep fit;
whether you already run but want to run with other
likeminded people;
whether you are a beginner or an experienced athlete
chasing personal best times;
or whether taking part in races fills you with dread or
gives you a buzz…..there are members of the Harriers just
like you.
Here
are the experiences of two runners on joining the
Club.
Tom Hobbins “I joined the Harriers with my partner a couple
of years ago. I’d run a bit before then but nothing
serious. Now, with the support of more experienced runners
I’ve run cross country and pretty much every distance on
the road up to and including the marathon. I’ve improved so
much I’m often one of the first Harriers to finish races”.
Karen Murray “ I wanted to get fit for backpacking around
Australia with my 24 year old daughter. I went along to a
Harriers beginners night very nervous and worried. But
everyone was extremely friendly, welcoming and encouraging.
The first run was hard and I walked a bit – but that didn’t
matter. Since then, I’ve done the Stafford Half Marathon
and the London Marathon …….and met a lot of great new
friends”.
See the
Training Sessions
link
on the sidebar for details of our training sessions -
six days a week are available, depending upon your
needs.
___________________________________________________
We are a friendly
bunch of folk, a good mix of male and female runners with a
wide range of abilities - from slow jogging starters to fit
class-winning enthusiasts. If you are new to us we’ll make
sure you’re welcomed. We mainly run the roads and trails
around Stafford, but also have track speed sessions at
Rowley Park.
We also have
a Junior section
for
keen youngsters aged from 8yrs to 16yrs. Follow the link
here or on the sidebar to see what they get up
to.
If you want to you can run for our team in competitive
races, but ‘social only’ runners are equally
welcome. The club operates a
'try-before-you-buy' policy so come down, join
in, see how you like it and then make your decision.
Should you decide to join, your membership subscription
will cover limited membership of the MRI social club, all
club runs, showers, Midland Counties AAA registration and
insurance on club nights. Many events are subsidised as
well as the purchase of club kit. All cross countries are
also free to club members. Membership runs from January 1st
to December 31st each year.
___________________________________________________
The main centre for
Club activities is at the St Leonards Sports & Social
Club (a.k.a. the MRI club), on the Areva company site, St
Leonards Avenue, Stafford.
St Leonards Avenue
is a left turn off the main Lichfield Road after Riverway
(opposite the new B&Q store) if you're heading out of
town.
Other training sessions are held at / from the Rowley Park
Track off
Averill Rd, Stafford, (ST17 9XX)
SO
JOIN US >> Click for a
Membership Application form
If
you should have any queries about possible membership you
are welcome to
contact:
John
Finney - Mob.0775 4198782
OR
Christine Skellern - Mob. 0779 1502601
Now have a good
look at the rest of our web-site to see what we get up
to!
Let us help you
towards enjoying some Happy Feet -
