Latest News.....
The 2012 Lichfield 10K & Family Fun Run will take place on Sunday 9th September 2012. Postal & Online entries now open....
Also free novice runner sessions.
Wednesday 25th January 7.15 for a 7.30 start at Saxon Hill School, first of six Novice runners sessions. If you can jog (with short walking intervals if necessary) 3miles(5kilometres) and wish to improve, or if you wish to try out a club along with other newcomers, then please come along. To register your interest and obtain more details please e-mail us via the small contact us link at the bottom of the page. You do not need to attend all of the sessions so don't be put off if you can't make the first one or two. To see what one of our previous attendees thought please check the clubs Facebook page via the link at the bottom of this page.
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** . As our shortest runs are about three miles(5k) we are not suitable for total beginners.
Newcomers. We normally suggest newcomers attend for the first time on a Wednesday evening or Sunday morning as these are the sessions where we make a conscious effort to run in groups. there is no cost for most individual sessions, just an annual fee, and you are encouraged to run with us for a few sessions before you decide to join. (or not) Membership costs £25.00 per year for standard membership with a one off joining fee of £15.00 in the first year which pays for a club running vest. Concession rates, second claim, and social membership are also available, details available on request.
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 9.00am
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 occasional Sunday’s we also introduce off road runs for those who want the variety.
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 winter we use a 6.7m route around Lichfield (lit roads) finishing with the hill up Eastern Avenue, before a gentle jog back to Morrison's. In the summer we use a shorter (approx 5m) but very hilly route through the country lanes towards Farewell and Chorley. These are intended to be run as threshold sessions and therefore at close to individuals race pace. We therefore do not recommend this as one of your first sessions with the club.
Wednesday Evening Run 7.15 for 7.30 start
Meet at Saxon Hill School which is on the left at the top of the hill past 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 again be a time trial. The four summer months having the longest hours of daylight being a 5 mile route incorporating Darnford Lane. The remaining months we run a 5k route under street lighting. Please note that the wearing of reflective jackets, bibs or armbands is strongly recommended during the winter months.
Tuesday evening fortnightly track session
These sessions are mainly but not exclusively based on set distance repetitions. These sessions are led by a coach from Burntwood Triathlon Club to which members of Lichfield Running Club are invited. Coaching is free but a fee is payable for the use of the track. Please check our monthly programme via the tab above and Burntwood Tri-club's website for further details or to check for late changes.
Saturday Morning Run 9.00am
A delightful 9.5mile off road run through Hopwas Woods and along the Heart of England way. Although the same route is run each week no two weeks are ever the same due to the variety of terrain, weather conditions and company.
Meet at Ryknild Street Car park (near Tamworth Road traffic lights). A shorter introductory 7.5mile version of the route is sometimes run by arrangement.
Saturday morning Spring Marathon training. long slow runs. Meeting at King Edwards Leisure Centre car park. See the monthly programme for details of meeting times and distances.
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 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 dependent 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 £5
Men’s shorts £10
Windcheater £15
Social Events
To supplement the running events we like to have a few non-athletic gatherings during the year. 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).
Lichfield Running Club is affiliated to both England athletics and South Staffordshire athletics network. Much useful information and resources are available as a result. Please click on the links below.
** Younger runners are catered for at other clubs within South Staffordshire,again click on the links below.
Interested in joining? Just send us an email here or via the contact us link at the bottom of each page.
