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Didsbury Runners

We are a friendly and inclusive running group, that meet for regular runs in the South Manchester area. Didsbury Runners is managed by volunteers and is completely not-for-profit. Our motivation is to spread the fun of running and support the running community in South Manchester.

MEMBERSHIP

To run with us you must be a registered member. In order to ensure that we are able to provide safe and enjoyable runs for all of our members and due to a limited set of resources that is largely volunteer based, we have in the past used a waiting list to manage demand. However, we are currently able to allow immediate membership. For more details on how to join, or how to take part in a free trial session, please click on this link: 

Join or trial the club

 

COUCH TO 5K COURSE

We regularly provide Couch to 5k sessions for people new to running, or for those that are getting back into it after some time off. This 9 week programme is free of charge and open to anyone over the age of 16 (16-18 year olds must be accompanied by an adult).

We will guide you through the NHS programme, starting with a walk-jog, and finishing with a 5k. All sessions are held on Monday evenings at 6.45pm, meeting at Didsbury Sports Ground.

If you have any general enquiries please also contact didsburyrunnersclub@gmail.com

Running Sessions

Monday Evening Run


Our core regular session is on Monday evenings at 6.45pm (meet from 6.30pm). We start and finish at Didsbury Sports Ground on Ford Lane.

We have group runs (around 5k or 10k) with paces ranging from 8min/mile to 12min/mile.

Each group is led by a run leader and we often have a tail runner for larger groups.

After each run we have a social drink and food in the Club house.

 

Wednesday Intervals Session

We lead intervals and track sessions on a Wednesday night, usually at Trafford Athletic Club track in Longford Park. The sessions start at 6.45pm and finish at 7.45pm. 

On the first Wednesday of every month, we run a hill reps session at the Heaton Mersey Bowl.

 

In addition, the club organises ad-hoc social runs, trail runs, parkrun meetups, and other social events. Members of the club will also organise their own meetups, both running and social, through the facebook group.

 

FAQs

If your question is not covered here, please do contact us at didsburyrunnersclub@gmail.com

How do I join the club?

Click here to join or trial the club

 

How long will I be on the waiting list?

There is currently no waiting list to join the club. As above you may join immediately, or after trialing one of our runs

 

Where do you run from?

Our Monday evening runs start and end from Didsbury Sports Ground on Ford Lane, Didsbury. Our Wednesday Interval sessions are usually at Trafford Athletics Ground, Longford Park, Stretford. Any amendments to this will be communicated to our members by email and other communications channels. Other runs may start and end at other locations.

 

What time do you run?

All sessions start at 6.45pm with a 6.35pm meet.

 

How much does it cost to join?

We ask you pay a £12.50 membership fee for the year.

 

How long does membership last for?

The membership year is April to March (e.g. 1st April 2019 to 31st March 2020). During March we ask all members if they wish to renew their membership for the following year regardless of when they joined.

 

How fast do you run?

Our Monday night run aims to cater for all abilities with groups designed for beginners (walk/jog), improvers (i.e. continuous running at 11-12 min miles/7 min per km), all the way down 8 minute miles (5 min per km) runners. 

 

How far do you run?

On Mondays we have three distances; 3-4k for beginners/improvers, 5-6k medium length runs, and 10k long runs.

 

What if I cannot keep up?

Firstly, you can, secondly we aim to have a tail runner with each group so you will never be last, and many of our members a warm friendly and experienced runners who like a good chat and so will stay with you and keep you company.

 

I am a total beginner, where do I start?

Well firstly you have started just by asking, which is fantastic.

We suggest doing a couch to 5k course. Please consider our free 9 week couch to 5k course that occurs three/four times a year. Send an email to Didsburyrunnersclub@gmail.com to request to be notified of our next course (note places go very quickly so keep an eye out).

If not convenient the NHS couch to 5k course is a wonderful resource and a great way to start. This can be found here ….

https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/get-running-with-couch-to-5k/

In the meantime, consider signing up for a trial and potentially joining the club (see above). The club has many friendly members who have started from no running experience and gone on to do great things so you will be in good company. 

 

Do you run on other evenings?

We provide a Wednesday evening run which is designed to help runners of all levels improve their performance. The Wednesday sessions include interval and hill training, and look at aspects such as running form and injury prevention. We have a monthly social run which is on a Tuesday or Thursday night and this is a 5k run that finishes at a cafe, pub, or restaurant. In the summer we lead trail runs in the peak district and Greater Manchester area.

 

Do you have sessions for non members?

We also offer events for the general public such as our couch-2-5k beginner sessions and #runandtalk events. All non-member running sessions are advertised on the Didsbury Runners Community Facebook page (no registration required)

  

Do you run in events?

Members of our group join in races such as the Manchester 10k and half-marathon. As a club, we also participate in the Manchester Area Cross-Country League (MACCL) and the University Cross Country Relays.

We post all Didsbury Runners events and socials on our Didsbury Runners Facebook Group Page, as well as send out info via our weekly newsletter.

If you are a member, we reccommend you sign up to events on our Didsbury Runners Facebook Group Page, as this is where we discuss transport and other logistics. Note all Didsbury Runners organised events are for members only unless stated otherwise.

 

Can I run if I am under 18?

Anyone aged 16-18 can join the Didsbury Runners provided that they are accompanied by a parent or a carer. Although some of our Run Leaders are LIRF qualified and DBS checked, we cannot currently accept minors on their own.

 

Are you an England Athletic Affiliated Club?

Yes, Didsbury Runners is an England Athletics affiliated club, and members may choose to become affiliated with England Athletics as a first-claim or second-claim athlete, subject to a fee that is charged by England Athletics.

 

Why can't I wear headphones?

We ask that our runners do not wear headphones whilst on our runs. It is important that everyone can hear instructions given by our run leaders so that the groups are safe and do not obstruct other path users. Also, we are a social group, and part of the fun is to talk with your fellow runners!

 

Is it just running?

We have many social events both planned and adhoc organised through the group often with a common theme…cake! In fact the club is more about the cake!

 

How do I gain access to the facebook/strava group?

Only members have access. On joining the club you will be given information on this. As a member of the public, please consider the Didsbury Runners Community Facebook page as an alternative.

 

How do I get a Didsbury Runners T-Shirt/ Vest/ Hoodie?

We put in bulk orders sporadically and our members will be notified by Facebook and email of when they can place an order.

 

Didsbury Runners Active

We host Didsbury Runners Active (DRActive) Session specifically for people with learning disabilities on Wednesdays evening.

We meet at Didsbury Sport Ground on Ford Lane, Didsbury at 6.45pm for a 7pm start. The sessions last about 30-40 minutes and include a variety of running related activities and games. We cater for different abilities including those preferring to walk-jog or walk only.

These sessions are open to the public, you do not need to be a member of Didsbury Runners to join. You do need to be at least 16 to take part and 16-18 years old must be accompanied by a parent/carer.

At the end of the session we have a social drink.

To find out more information, just turn up on the night or contact us at didsburyrunnersclub@gmail.com