Wednesday Runs

Our group club runs are held every Wednesday evening, leaving Seymour Leisure Centre at 18:50 or meeting at Hyde Park Speakers' Corner (Note: exact location below) at 19:00.   Non-members are welcome to come and try us out. Hopefully you'll like us enough to join the club - we ask that you join if you want to come again.

 

Pre-run registration (required for non-members only)

If you are a club member, there is no need to sign-up in advance for club runs.   

The Wednesday and Saturday club runs are also ideal for non-members who would like to come and try us out before deciding whether they would like to join us.  If you are a beginner we recommend you start with the Saturday morning run.   If you would like to join a club run to try out the club, please sign up here

Run groups

You will be placed into run-groups based on pace and route, but please feel free to let us know if you have any preferred run buddies. Please also let us know if you could be a 'run group leader', who will make sure newcomers follow the routes and the pace is roughly what is advertised.

Routes

You have a choice of two routes – 2 parks (7km) and 3 parks (11.5km).   Most weeks there are also a group running 2-and-a-half parks (8km) and in marathon training season a mid-week semi-long run of approximately 15km.

Pace

The pace groups vary, but currently range between 4:45min/km (7:40min/mile) - 7min/km (11min/mile). There is usually a Run/Walk beginner's group as well.

Seymour Centre: Changing and Bag Drop

You may use the changing facilities and leave your bags at the Seymour Centre where we are based.

  • Arrive at the Seymour Centre with enough time to change and join the run.  It takes 10mins to walk from the Seymour to Speakers Corner
  • Bring your club membership card (or your joining confirmation email if you have joined recently) and present this at the entrance turnstiles in the Seymour Centre.  
  • The bag room is open from approximately 18:10 and manned club members throughout the run (until 20:45), so your belongings are safe.

Run starts

Runs start with a warm-up jog from the Seymour Centre to Speaker's Corner.  Groups leave the Seymour Centre at 18:50.  If there is a longer run on offer this group will leave the Seymour slightly earlier.  Further breakdown into pace groups happens near Speakers Corner, with runs starting from 19:00.  We ask first timers to join the run at the Seymour Centre, but those who recognise the groups are welcome to join near Speakers' Corner.

Map of start point and end point
(Map ©OpenStreetMap contributors)

 

Other do's and don'ts

  • Headphones are not permitted on club runs so that all runners can hear as well as see hazards.
  • Be responsible for your own actions and for the safety of yourself and others! Follow the rules of the road and be aware of those around you, including cars, bikes and pedestrians.
  • In the winter months the runs happen in darkness, so we advise everyone to wear bright and reflective colours.
  • All runners should make sure other runners in their group, who may feel vulnerable, are accompanied at all times as much of the park is dimly lit.
  • Dogs are not permitted on club runs.

And finally...

It is important that we adhere to the latest England Athletics’ Guidance (see here) on these club runs. These are official club activities as outlined in our Covid-19 risk assessment, therefore please be aware of and abide by the related restrictions - we all have a part to play in making this safe and enjoyable. Any queries, please feel free to email our Club Runs Lead Catharine

Hope to see many of you in these runs!  We also look forward to welcoming those who have just joined us or are coming to try out the club.