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{"ID":243,"SpaceID":5,"PageID":20,"HasCommentsThread":false,"SeoTags":{"OpenGraphTags":[{"ID":"og:title","Name":"Frequently Asked Questions"},{"ID":"og:type","Name":"website"},{"ID":"og:url","Name":"https://www.didsburyrunners.co.uk/Cms/Spaces/PUBLIC/Frequently+Asked+Questions"}],"NonOpenGraphTags":[]},"Path":"Frequently+Asked+Questions","Title":"Frequently Asked Questions","Author":{"ID":6,"Name":"Carl Healy","CompanyName":null,"HasEmail":true},"Version":6,"IsDraft":false,"IsOldVersion":false,"PublicationDate":"18/08/2026 09:47","VersionDescription":"v6 - Carl Healy","HideHeader":false,"IsFullWidth":false,"ThemeCode":null,"BackgroundColour":null,"JumpLinks":[],"Blocks":[{"Columns":[{"Width":12,"WidthClasses":"col-md-12 col-sm-12 col-xs-12","Elements":[{"ID":933,"Type":"HTML","Content":"\u003cstyle\u003e\nhtml {\n interpolate-size: allow-keywords;\n}\n\n.dr-faq-intro {\n text-align: center;\n max-width: 640px;\n margin: 0 auto 40px auto;\n color: #555;\n font-size: 16px;\n line-height: 1.6;\n}\n\n.dr-faq-wrapper {\n max-width: 780px;\n margin: 0 auto 50px auto;\n}\n\n.dr-faq-item {\n background-color: rgba(6, 139, 232, 0.04);\n border-radius: 10px;\n margin-bottom: 10px;\n overflow: hidden;\n transition: background-color 0.25s ease;\n}\n\n.dr-faq-item[open] {\n background-color: rgba(6, 139, 232, 0.08);\n}\n\n.dr-faq-item summary {\n list-style: none;\n cursor: pointer;\n padding: 16px 20px;\n font-weight: 600;\n font-size: 15.5px;\n color: #222;\n display: flex;\n justify-content: space-between;\n align-items: center;\n gap: 12px;\n}\n\n.dr-faq-item summary::-webkit-details-marker {\n display: none;\n}\n\n.dr-faq-item summary::after {\n content: \u0022+\u0022;\n font-size: 22px;\n font-weight: 400;\n color: rgb(6, 139, 232);\n flex-shrink: 0;\n transition: transform 0.25s ease;\n}\n\n.dr-faq-item[open] summary::after {\n transform: rotate(45deg);\n}\n\n.dr-faq-item::details-content {\n height: 0;\n opacity: 0;\n overflow: hidden;\n transition: height 0.3s ease, opacity 0.3s ease, content-visibility 0.3s allow-discrete;\n}\n\n.dr-faq-item[open]::details-content {\n height: auto;\n opacity: 1;\n}\n\n.dr-faq-answer {\n padding: 0 20px 18px 20px;\n font-size: 14.5px;\n line-height: 1.6;\n color: #444;\n}\n\n.dr-faq-answer a {\n color: rgb(6, 139, 232);\n font-weight: 600;\n}\n\u003c/style\u003e\n\u003cp class=\u0022dr-faq-intro\u0022\u003eGot a question about running with us? Have a look through the answers below — if you can\u0027t find what you\u0027re after, get in touch and we\u0027ll help you out.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\u0022dr-faq-wrapper\u0022\u003e\n\n \u003ch2 class=\u0022form-header\u0022\u003eGetting Started\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n \u003cdetails class=\u0022dr-faq-item\u0022 name=\u0022dr-faq\u0022\u003e\n \u003csummary\u003eI\u0027m a total beginner, where do I start?\u003c/summary\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\u0022dr-faq-answer\u0022\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eYou\u0027ve already started, just by asking — that\u0027s the hardest part done!\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eWe\u0027d suggest our free 9-week Couch to 5k course, which runs three or four times a year. Keep an eye on our Couch to 5k page for the next start date.\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eIf the timing doesn\u0027t work, the NHS Couch to 5k app is another great way to begin.\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eIn the meantime, why not sign up for a trial and see how you get on? Plenty of our members started with zero running experience and have gone on to do great things — you\u0027ll be in good company.\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/details\u003e\n\n \u003cdetails class=\u0022dr-faq-item\u0022 name=\u0022dr-faq\u0022\u003e\n \u003csummary\u003eCan I join if I\u0027m under 18?\u003c/summary\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\u0022dr-faq-answer\u0022\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAnyone aged 16-18 is welcome to join, provided they\u0027re accompanied by a nominated adult member. Some of our Run Leaders are LIRF qualified and DBS checked, but we\u0027re not currently able to accept minors running unaccompanied.\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/details\u003e\n\n \u003cdetails class=\u0022dr-faq-item\u0022 name=\u0022dr-faq\u0022\u003e\n \u003csummary\u003eDo you have sessions for non-members?\u003c/summary\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\u0022dr-faq-answer\u0022\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eYes — we run public sessions too, including our Couch to 5k beginner course and #RunAndTalk events. These are advertised on the Didsbury Runners Community Facebook page. Couch to 5k places are in demand, so please email \u003ca href=\u0022mailto:didsburyrunnersclub@gmail.com\u0022\u003edidsburyrunnersclub@gmail.com\u003c/a\u003e to register your interest.\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/details\u003e\n\n \u003ch2 class=\u0022form-header\u0022\u003eRuns \u0026 Sessions\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n \u003cdetails class=\u0022dr-faq-item\u0022 name=\u0022dr-faq\u0022\u003e\n \u003csummary\u003eWhere do you run from?\u003c/summary\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\u0022dr-faq-answer\u0022\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMonday evening runs start and finish at Didsbury Sports Ground on Ford Lane. Wednesday Interval sessions are usually at Trafford Athletics Ground, Longford Park, Stretford, and our Hills session runs from The Crown, Heaton Mersey. Any changes are communicated to members by email and our other channels — other runs may start and finish elsewhere.\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/details\u003e\n\n \u003cdetails class=\u0022dr-faq-item\u0022 name=\u0022dr-faq\u0022\u003e\n \u003csummary\u003eWhat time do you run?\u003c/summary\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\u0022dr-faq-answer\u0022\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAll sessions start at 6.45pm, with a 6.30pm meet. Note that our track intervals warm-up begins at 6.30pm, so if you arrive at 6.45pm please come already warmed up and ready to go.\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/details\u003e\n\n \u003cdetails class=\u0022dr-faq-item\u0022 name=\u0022dr-faq\u0022\u003e\n \u003csummary\u003eHow fast do you run?\u003c/summary\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\u0022dr-faq-answer\u0022\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMonday night runs cater for every ability, with groups spanning 12 minute miles right through to 8 minute miles. We\u0027ll help you find the right group, and we never leave anyone behind! If you\u0027re not sure of your pace yet, our Couch to 5k course (run several times a year) is a great place to start.\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/details\u003e\n\n \u003cdetails class=\u0022dr-faq-item\u0022 name=\u0022dr-faq\u0022\u003e\n \u003csummary\u003eHow far do you run?\u003c/summary\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\u0022dr-faq-answer\u0022\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eOn Mondays we offer 5-6k and 10k options. Not quite ready for those distances? Join one of our regular Couch to 5k courses and we\u0027ll help you build up to it.\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/details\u003e\n\n \u003cdetails class=\u0022dr-faq-item\u0022 name=\u0022dr-faq\u0022\u003e\n \u003csummary\u003eWhat if I can\u0027t keep up?\u003c/summary\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\u0022dr-faq-answer\u0022\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eEvery group has a tail runner, so you\u0027ll never be last — and many of our members are experienced runners who\u0027ll happily stay back and keep you company.\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/details\u003e\n\n \u003cdetails class=\u0022dr-faq-item\u0022 name=\u0022dr-faq\u0022\u003e\n \u003csummary\u003eDo you run on Bank Holidays?\u003c/summary\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\u0022dr-faq-answer\u0022\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eWe run as normal on most bank holidays. The exception is if 25th December or 1st January falls on a Monday, when we typically don\u0027t hold an official run. We may also pause Wednesday sessions between Christmas and New Year — we\u0027ll let members know in advance if so.\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/details\u003e\n\n \u003cdetails class=\u0022dr-faq-item\u0022 name=\u0022dr-faq\u0022\u003e\n \u003csummary\u003eDo you run in bad weather?\u003c/summary\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\u0022dr-faq-answer\u0022\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eWe meet as normal in all weather, though some conditions call for a tweaked route — in high winds, for example, we\u0027ll steer clear of trees. Rarely, we will have to cancel a session entirely\u0026nbsp;in extreme weather conditions.\u0026nbsp;If there\u0027s a significant change, we\u0027ll let members, Couch to 5k participants, and trialists know in advance.\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/details\u003e\n\n \u003cdetails class=\u0022dr-faq-item\u0022 name=\u0022dr-faq\u0022\u003e\n \u003csummary\u003eWhy can\u0027t I wear headphones?\u003c/summary\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\u0022dr-faq-answer\u0022\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eWe ask runners not to wear headphones on our runs, so everyone can hear instructions from run leaders and stay safe around other path users. Plus, we\u0027re a social bunch — half the fun is chatting with your fellow runners!\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/details\u003e\n\n \u003ch2 class=\u0022form-header\u0022\u003eMembership \u0026 Club Life\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n \u003cdetails class=\u0022dr-faq-item\u0022 name=\u0022dr-faq\u0022\u003e\n \u003csummary\u003eAre you an England Athletics affiliated club?\u003c/summary\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\u0022dr-faq-answer\u0022\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eYes — Didsbury Runners is affiliated with England Athletics, and members can choose to affiliate individually too, as a first or second-claim athlete, for a fee set by England Athletics.\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/details\u003e\n\n \u003cdetails class=\u0022dr-faq-item\u0022 name=\u0022dr-faq\u0022\u003e\n \u003csummary\u003eHow much does membership cost?\u003c/summary\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\u0022dr-faq-answer\u0022\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAnnual membership is £14, or £5 if you join between 1st January and 31st March. Membership runs from 1st April to 31st March each year, regardless of when you join.\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/details\u003e\n\n \u003cdetails class=\u0022dr-faq-item\u0022 name=\u0022dr-faq\u0022\u003e\n \u003csummary\u003eHow do I cancel my membership?\u003c/summary\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\u0022dr-faq-answer\u0022\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eYou can resign at any time by emailing \u003ca href=\u0022mailto:didsburyrunnersclub@gmail.com\u0022\u003edidsburyrunnersclub@gmail.com\u003c/a\u003e. Please note membership fees aren\u0027t refundable.\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/details\u003e\n\n \u003cdetails class=\u0022dr-faq-item\u0022 name=\u0022dr-faq\u0022\u003e\n \u003csummary\u003eDo you run in events?\u003c/summary\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\u0022dr-faq-answer\u0022\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eOur members take part in races like the Manchester 10k and half-marathon, and as a club we compete in the Manchester Area Cross-Country League (MACCL) and the University Cross Country Relays.\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAll club events and socials are posted on our events page and sent out via our weekly newsletter. If you\u0027re a member, we\u0027d recommend signing up there too, since that\u0027s where we share transport and other logistics. Unless stated otherwise, Didsbury Runners events are for members only.\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/details\u003e\n\n \u003cdetails class=\u0022dr-faq-item\u0022 name=\u0022dr-faq\u0022\u003e\n \u003csummary\u003eIs it just running?\u003c/summary\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\u0022dr-faq-answer\u0022\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFar from it! We run plenty of social events that have nothing to do with running — meals, climbing, you name it. Members often organise their own get-togethers too. It\u0027s all about community and having fun.\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/details\u003e\n\n \u003cdetails class=\u0022dr-faq-item\u0022 name=\u0022dr-faq\u0022\u003e\n \u003csummary\u003eHow do I gain access to the Strava group?\u003c/summary\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\u0022dr-faq-answer\u0022\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eCheck the confirmation email you received when you joined — the link is in there.\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/details\u003e\n\n \u003cdetails class=\u0022dr-faq-item\u0022 name=\u0022dr-faq\u0022\u003e\n \u003csummary\u003eHow do I get a Didsbury Runners t-shirt/vest/hoodie?\u003c/summary\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\u0022dr-faq-answer\u0022\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eWe run bulk orders periodically — head to our club shop to see what\u0027s currently in stock.\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/details\u003e\n\n \u003cdetails class=\u0022dr-faq-item\u0022 name=\u0022dr-faq\u0022\u003e\n \u003csummary\u003eWho do I contact with a welfare or safeguarding concern?\u003c/summary\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\u0022dr-faq-answer\u0022\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eOur Welfare Officer is the lead contact for any welfare or safeguarding concerns. You can find current contact details on our Committee page, or reach out to any committee member and they\u0027ll point you in the right direction.\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/details\u003e\n\n \u003ch2 class=\u0022form-header\u0022\u003ePractical Info\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n \u003cdetails class=\u0022dr-faq-item\u0022 name=\u0022dr-faq\u0022\u003e\n \u003csummary\u003eIs there car/bike parking at Didsbury Sports Ground?\u003c/summary\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\u0022dr-faq-answer\u0022\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eDidsbury Sports Ground has paid car parking, but members get free parking during club sessions — you\u0027ll just need to register your car details on the console in the clubhouse/bar. Miss this (or otherwise skip paying) and you could face a penalty of up to £100, so don\u0027t forget!\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eHeads up: for non-club events like parkrun, you may need to pay for parking or buy something from the bar to activate the console.\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThere\u0027s a railing for bikes, though we\u0027re looking to improve provision.\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/details\u003e\n\n \u003cdetails class=\u0022dr-faq-item\u0022 name=\u0022dr-faq\u0022\u003e\n \u003csummary\u003eCan I leave items at Didsbury Sports Ground (DSG) while I run?\u003c/summary\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\u0022dr-faq-answer\u0022\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eYou can leave clothing and other bits in the bar while you run, but it\u0027s at your own risk — so please don\u0027t leave anything valuable unattended.\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/details\u003e\n\n\u003c/div\u003e","ContentConfig":{"Caption":null,"Icon":null,"IconColour":null,"CaptionColour":null,"UnderlineColour":null,"TextColour":null,"FontSize":null,"LineHeight":null,"RequiresLoggedInUser":false,"BottomMargin":0,"PaddingLeft":"0px","PaddingTop":"0px","PaddingRight":"0px","PaddingBottom":"0px","PhoneVisible":true,"TabletVisible":true,"DesktopVisible":true,"CssClass":null,"PageLinkName":null,"PageLinkCaption":null},"ComponentCode":null,"ComponentError":null,"BottomMargin":"0px","PaddingLeft":"0px","PaddingTop":"0px","PaddingRight":"0px","PaddingBottom":"0px","CssClass":null,"ResponsiveClasses":"","PageLinkName":null,"PageLinkCaption":null,"Background":{"Colour":null,"ImageURL":null,"Filter":null,"IsParallax":false,"Image":"","Tint":""},"ImageConfig":{"ImageURL":null,"ObjectFit":"contain","ImageHeight":null,"FrameStyle":null,"BorderRadius":null,"Caption":{"IsActive":false,"Text":null,"SubText":null,"Font":{"Size":null,"Colour":null},"SubFont":{"Size":null,"Colour":null},"Alignment":null,"Position":null,"Margin":null,"BackgroundColour":null,"Blur":false,"Hover":false},"AltText":null,"LinkURL":null,"BottomMargin":0,"PaddingLeft":"10px","PaddingTop":"10px","PaddingRight":"10px","PaddingBottom":"10px","PhoneVisible":true,"TabletVisible":true,"DesktopVisible":true,"CssClass":null,"PageLinkName":null,"PageLinkCaption":null},"IgnoreCache":false}]}],"ColumnSpacing":"0px","BottomMargin":"0px","TopPadding":"50px","IsFullWidth":false,"IsBackgroundFullWidth":false,"Background":{"Colour":null,"ImageURL":null,"Filter":null,"IsParallax":false,"Image":"","Tint":""}}],"HasTwitterFeedComponent":false,"PageURL":"https://www.didsburyrunners.co.uk/Cms/Spaces/PUBLIC/Frequently+Asked+Questions?version=6","AllVersions":[],"Comments":[],"UpdatedComments":[],"Spaces":[],"IsWatching":false,"LastViewTime":null,"CanEdit":false,"CanPublish":false,"CanCopy":false,"CanCreateTemplate":false,"CanComment":false,"CanReadComments":false,"CanModerateComments":false,"CanLike":false,"CanWatch":false}
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