Running etiquette

9 August 2016 - By Marc Underdown

We have had so many new members join us recently that it feels a good time to remind everyone of the basic running etiquette that we encourage all our members to follow. Even if you have been a long term member of the club I still recommend having a fresh read, as let’s face it some old habits can creep back in!

Marc

Etiquette for running within Witham Running Club

Running at a club training session is a totally different experience to running alone or racing. Here a few guidelines to bear in mind to ensure that the experience is a pleasant one for all involved.

Run as a group. This may sound simple and obvious but it is amazing the amount of times that people don’t. Join a group that runs at roughly your pace and stay in it. If it is too fast or too slow, change groups at the next session.

If you do have to change group mid-session, remember to let both group leaders know. If you don’t, your old group may be looking for you and your new group won’t know you have joined them.

If you want to drop down a group for an easier paced run, remember to run at that group’s pace. Do not lead the group or run with the front runners as this will invariably push the pace.

Do regular turn-backs to keep the group together. You won’t all be able to run at the same pace every week so turn-backs are a good way of ensuring that no-one gets left behind. Remember, nobody comes to a club session to run on their own! Proper turn-backs involve running back to behind the last runner in your group, not just waiting for them to catch up while you have a rest.

Don’t go speeding off the front of your group. If you are regularly running off the front of your group then it is time to move up to the next one. Similarly if you are always being dropped by your group, consider moving down one until your speed or endurance improves.

ENJOY IT!