Your running journey can start at many different points—taking your first steps, returning after time away, or building confidence, consistency, and speed. Our courses are designed to support you wherever you are today. Each entry point offers friendly coaching, a clear weekly structure, and a welcoming inclusive group environment. Whether you’re starting from scratch, rebuilding fitness, or looking to improve your 5k time, you’ll find a stage that helps you progress comfortably and confidently.
Already running 10k in 55 minutes or faster? Our main club sessions will be the best match for you. If you are already running 5k without stopping, there’s no need to wait for a course — you can join our club sessions right away.
| Couch to 5k Start running with confidence | Ready To Run Build the skills to run well | Run Stronger Build confidently towards 10k | |
| Who it’s for | Complete beginners Anyone returning after a long break | Runners who can already run 5 to 10 minutes without stopping Fit non‑runners from other activities (e.g., gym, cycling, team sports) Graduates from our Couch to 5k course | Runners who can comfortably run 5k and want to get stronger, faster or move up to running 10k Runners wanting to improve their 10k time Graduates from our Ready to Run course |
| What you’ll do | Build confidence and progress safely from run–walk to continuous running | Build fitness and aerobic base, develop comfortable 5k running and learn core skills (warm up, form, effort, pacing) | Improve speed, endurance, technique, and overall confidence through structured training |
| 8 week plan | One coached session Two homework runs | One coached session One dedicated led run One homework run | One coached session Support and guidance on using our main club sessions to build a weekly plan |
| Your commitment | Attend the weekly coached session & complete two homework runs consistently | Attend the weekly coached and led sessions & complete one homework runs consistently | Attend the coached session and use club sessions regularly to build your weekly plan |
| Your potential goals | Run continuously for around 30 minutes Feel confident moving beyond run-walk | Run 5k comfortably at an easy, sustainable pace Learn the club run routes Set a benchmark 5k time | Run 5k faster Feel stronger, race better Set a benchmark 10k time |
| What’s next for you | Join our beginners course Ready to Run | Join our improvers course Run Stronger Join our club sessions | Join wider club sessions with greater confidence |
| When does it start | Autumn 2026 – tbc | 6th June 2026 Scroll down to sign up | September 2026 – tbc |
| Who do I contact | beginners@serpentine.org.uk | beginners@serpentine.org.uk | improvers@serpentine.org.uk |
All coached sessions take place in Hyde Park.
- Couch to 5k: Wednesday evening
- Beginners: Wednesday evening and Saturday morning
- Improvers: Saturday morning, plus additional weekday evening sessions at other central London locations
Cost: Courses are free for club members. Membership is £45 a year, £20 for concessions. The Couch to 5k course is free for everyone.
Sign up for Ready to Run. You must be a current member of the club to sign up for the Beginners’ Ready to Run Course. To join the club, please click here, and then come back to this page to sign up for the course.
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