Lichfield Running Club was founded by Dave Lawton, Dave Nason, Mike Green and Dave Lewis in 1983 primarily as a training vehicle for people wanting to run marathons.
The tradition of preparing for marathons has continued but we also cater for athletes who want to excel at the shorter middle distance events and those who simply want to run with other like-minded souls rather than plod round the pavements alone.

We can currently cater for adult runners aged from 18 to 80. However as our shortest runs are about three miles(5k) we are not suitable for total beginners.

Main Club Runs
The club meets regularly up to five times a week with a different “feel” to each run so whether you’re relatively new to this rather odd pastime or whether you’ve been mixing it with hard core devotees for years, there is something for you.

The following are our regular events, however it is recommended that prior to attending, to avoid a wasted visit, you check by contacting us on the link below. This is because some weeks arrangements are different due to races, alternative venues etc.

Sunday Morning Social Run
Meet at King Edwards Leisure Centre. This is when we have our longer, social runs.  We go a bit slower and have catch up breaks.  In general we aim to be out for between 1 and 2 hours.  If there are sufficient runners present we have break off points, where those wishing a shorter run than others head back while the rest continue on.  In this way we can have those who wish a short run meeting those aiming to go much further.  On some Sunday’s we also introduce off road runs for those who want the variety “and the opportunity to get really muddy!”

If there’s a Grand Prix event on a Sunday that requires traveling any distance we also try to meet at an appropriate time so that we can reduce the number of cars that need to be used.

Monday Evening Run 7pm
Meet at Morrison’s car park. This is our stamina run in the country lanes in the outskirts of Lichfield.  At about 5 miles with several hills you should be happy to complete it in not much more than 45 minutes.  In the winter we move to a longer and still hilly run around Lichfield (lit Roads) that has done much to improve the performance of many of our runners in the  Grand Prix events.

Thursday evening weekly track session
7.00pm at The Friary Leisure centre.
A variety of different sessions mainly based on set distance repetitions. This is a joint session with and led by a coach from Burntwood Triathlon Club. Coaching is free.

Wednesday Evening Run 7.30pm
Meet at King Edwards Leisure Centre. This has been the most popular session for the last few years.  Each week we have a different activity to improve speed, stamina or both.  This could for example involve running a short “flat” course at speed a number of times, or putting in an effort running up a number of hills.  This year following the success of holding time trials on a Wednesday evening, approximately each 3rd Wednesday of the month (subject to change) will be a 5K race with the four summer months having the longest hours of daylight having the 5 mile time trial. Please note that the wearing of reflective jackets or bibs is strongly recommended as we may run in inadequate lighting during the winter months.

Saturday Morning Run 9.00am
A 9.5mile off road run through Hopwas Woods and along the Heart of England way.
Meet at Ryknild Street Car park (near Tamworth Road traffic lights)

Club Competitions, Races and Series
There is the opportunity to participate in a number of club competitions based on external races and those organised within the club. These include the Grand Prix series, time trial series, Handicap trophy,and new this year the off-road series. More details can be found by clicking on the Grand Prix Tab above.As a club we sometimes enter teams in local competitions both road relays and cross country. This is dependant on the amount of interest within the membership.

Club Kit
When you are admitted to membership of the club,part of the joining fee covers the cost of a club running vest, which should be worn when running external club events.
Also available for purchase from Cliff Cartwright, the club treasurer, are the following:

Club Running Vest    £15
Club T Shirts         £10
Men’s shorts        £17
Windcheater        £25

Social Events
To supplement the running events we like to have a few non-athletic gatherings during the year. The main purpose, of course, is to have fun but it does give an opportunity for some fund raising for the club. For example, we can fund the entries for the above relay races without asking for member contributions. Traditionally we have beer festival, curry nights and quiz night.  All good ideas for social events - especially where we can involve families – would be appreciated by the committee.

Hangover Run & Prize Presentation
Each year, shortly after Christmas, we stage a run around the Time Trial course (to reduce the feelings of guilt at the excesses of the holiday period), after which we celebrate the successes of individual club members and present prizes for the winners of the club trophies.

There are also two trophies to be presented where the members vote for the winner at the Annual General Meeting. These are the Mike Green Trophy for Running (for an outstanding running achievement) and the President’s Trophy (for the member who has contributed the most to the club during the year).

Interested in Joining? Just send us an email here