We are pleased to announce that the club is now reopen, following the Government's new Guidelines and England Athletics' statement re organised sports events. Club Runs will be based on groups of up to 12 with a coach or run leader, socially distanced, with staggered starts. New members are welcome - see our New Members page.
click here for our diary, including Tuesday club night schedules
See here for England Athletics' guidance for runners during the various stages of restrictions in the coming months.
We are pleased to announce that we are returning to group running, in groups of up to 12 with a run leader or coach. We meet on the car park of the Stick & Wicket from 7pm. Could you please let Sue have your groups & routes in advance wherever possible.
Efforts groups have resumed, with two options. Les Reeves is running coached efforts sessions fortnightly, (max 10 per session) and there are also weekly Race Training sessions following the 10k improvement plan detailed below. If you wish to join in the race training sessions please contact Toby Oury, Adam Smith or Daniel Day to be added to the messaging group for updates.
Thursday social runs are also available, starting at 6.15-6.30pm from the gate.
We are pleased to announce that we are returning to group running, in groups of up to 12 with a run leader or coach. We meet on the car park of the Stick & Wicket from 7pm. Could you please let Sue have your groups & routes in advance wherever possible.
Efforts groups have resumed, with two options. Les Reeves is running coached efforts sessions fortnightly, (max 10 per session) and there are also weekly Race Training sessions following the 10k improvement plan detailed below. If you wish to join in the race training sessions please contact Toby Oury, Adam Smith or Daniel Day to be added to the messaging group for updates.
Thursday social runs are also available, starting at 6.15-6.30pm from the gate.
This week's Club News:
It is with extreme sadness that we have to announce the death of long-standing and much-loved member Ron Reynolds.
Ron was an experienced runner, completing many marathons and ultra marathons in fantastic times in his younger days. He served on the Committee of Aldridge Running Club, organising kit sales for many years. He will also be remembered for the many social walks he organised for the Club, often longer than he said but always scenic and enjoyable! In recent years he was responsible for reviving the club Handicap competition,i painstakingly compiling the records each month during the summer season. He was the recipient of our most prestigious award - the Paul Sebasatian Cup - in 2012.
Ron is remembered by many runners, both within and outside of ARC for always being there with his camera, capturing memories at cross-country events, races, socials and of course our own 10k races. Known for never deleting or editing photos, some were not as flattering as we would like but we came to love these as much as those that made us look amazing! Many early photos can be viewed for a limited period on Photobucket and thousands from 2012 onwards can be found on his Flickr page We will never forget his picture shows at each Presentation Evening.
Ron was a talented footballer, a former Goalkeeper for (we believe) Shrewsbury Reserves and brought these skills to our club football matches. A keen Walsall supporter he was well known at the Banks' Stadium and was part of the match day groundsman team there.
Ron was also a key part of Walsall Arboretum parkrun, which he attended from its second meeting, first as a runner but increasingly as volunteer photographer, where he captured some fantastic photos over a period of almost eight years, mostly at the Arboretum but also at other venues, both with the club and with his family. Ron clocked up an impressive 300 parkrun volunteer credits and was well-known by regulars at the Arboretum, be they sub-16 minute speedsters or slow walkers - he was loved by all.
Ron travelled extensively with the club not only running and walking but cycling, with his camera at all times.
To say that Ron will be missed is a serious understatement and our thoughts are with his family at this time.
Thanks for everything, Ron. Rest In Peace.
Ron was an experienced runner, completing many marathons and ultra marathons in fantastic times in his younger days. He served on the Committee of Aldridge Running Club, organising kit sales for many years. He will also be remembered for the many social walks he organised for the Club, often longer than he said but always scenic and enjoyable! In recent years he was responsible for reviving the club Handicap competition,i painstakingly compiling the records each month during the summer season. He was the recipient of our most prestigious award - the Paul Sebasatian Cup - in 2012.
Ron is remembered by many runners, both within and outside of ARC for always being there with his camera, capturing memories at cross-country events, races, socials and of course our own 10k races. Known for never deleting or editing photos, some were not as flattering as we would like but we came to love these as much as those that made us look amazing! Many early photos can be viewed for a limited period on Photobucket and thousands from 2012 onwards can be found on his Flickr page We will never forget his picture shows at each Presentation Evening.
Ron was a talented footballer, a former Goalkeeper for (we believe) Shrewsbury Reserves and brought these skills to our club football matches. A keen Walsall supporter he was well known at the Banks' Stadium and was part of the match day groundsman team there.
Ron was also a key part of Walsall Arboretum parkrun, which he attended from its second meeting, first as a runner but increasingly as volunteer photographer, where he captured some fantastic photos over a period of almost eight years, mostly at the Arboretum but also at other venues, both with the club and with his family. Ron clocked up an impressive 300 parkrun volunteer credits and was well-known by regulars at the Arboretum, be they sub-16 minute speedsters or slow walkers - he was loved by all.
Ron travelled extensively with the club not only running and walking but cycling, with his camera at all times.
To say that Ron will be missed is a serious understatement and our thoughts are with his family at this time.
Thanks for everything, Ron. Rest In Peace.
2021 in (some) pictures will be built up over the year below: Hover over the main photo and press 'play' to scroll through photos of events so far this year, or click on the thumbnails.
We like to think of ARC as a friendly, supportive club. The video clip below, taken from Cannon Hill Park, on the route of the Birmingham Marathon and Half on October 15 2017 shows us at our best. Some of the supporters had entered one of the races but had to pull out due to injury but instead of moping about it they came and cheered on all those who were running, despite the logistical difficulties of getting there with all the road closures. Well done Sarah Hinkley and crew!
Information for members:
Help us give credit to all who take part in races by letting us know your achievements. Email using this link by Monday lunchtime please.
See the Diary section for races that we know about, either local or that our members have enjoyed in the past. Social events now have their own page here although social events are currently on hold due to the pandemic.
Our annual handicap races have been replaced in 2020 by a weekly virtual challenge. Many thanks to Mark O'Rourke for organising. The results from the Spring/Summer handicap can be found here.
We also have a regular walking group. More details are on our About ARC page. All welcome.
2020 saw the Spring handicap in a different format - a weekly virtual challenge - results here
See the Diary section for races that we know about, either local or that our members have enjoyed in the past. Social events now have their own page here although social events are currently on hold due to the pandemic.
Our annual handicap races have been replaced in 2020 by a weekly virtual challenge. Many thanks to Mark O'Rourke for organising. The results from the Spring/Summer handicap can be found here.
We also have a regular walking group. More details are on our About ARC page. All welcome.
2020 saw the Spring handicap in a different format - a weekly virtual challenge - results here
New Members
If you are new to running or looking to improve we can help & support you all the way. To find out more, check out the About ARC page and the New Members section. We will be announcting new dates for our next Couch to 5k course after current restrictions due to COVID-19 are lifted - click here for details.
10k Improvement Plan
Members who completed a half-marathon improvement plan, with some amazing results, are now embarking upon a 14-week 10k improvement plan, targeted at the Fradley 10k Details can be found here. It is aimed at those who have already completed a 10k and want to improve their time.
When reading the plan, "off" shows the recovery between efforts, so "1k, 800m, 600m, 400m off 2mins, 3 mins
between sets" means "1k effort, 2 min recovery, 800m effort, 2 min recovery, 600m effort, 2 min recover,400m effort, 2 min recovery, 3 min rest then repeat." Recovery can be jog or walk, or a mixture, depending on individual fitness and preference. The length of recovery can also be adjusted if necessary.
Obviously this plan can be started at any time and/or adapted to meet individual needs. In particular, slower runners can benefit from the plan but would need to reduce the number of repetitions (sets) in most of the sessions. If you just want to try out some efforts sessions to make your training a bit more interesting and productive there are a good number included here that you can try.
The previous half-marathon training plan is still available here.
When reading the plan, "off" shows the recovery between efforts, so "1k, 800m, 600m, 400m off 2mins, 3 mins
between sets" means "1k effort, 2 min recovery, 800m effort, 2 min recovery, 600m effort, 2 min recover,400m effort, 2 min recovery, 3 min rest then repeat." Recovery can be jog or walk, or a mixture, depending on individual fitness and preference. The length of recovery can also be adjusted if necessary.
Obviously this plan can be started at any time and/or adapted to meet individual needs. In particular, slower runners can benefit from the plan but would need to reduce the number of repetitions (sets) in most of the sessions. If you just want to try out some efforts sessions to make your training a bit more interesting and productive there are a good number included here that you can try.
The previous half-marathon training plan is still available here.