Aldridge Running Club - About Us

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Club History by

Tony Jones

 

 

Club Nights

Aldridge Running Club meet on Tuesday evenings from 7pm at the Stick & Wicket Club Aldridge.
There are also informal sessions on Thursday evenings and Sunday mornings

 Training Schedules

  The emphasis of ARC is 'sport for all' and aims to support and encourage all levels and abilities.

  We offer 4 categories on club nights:

    

  •  1,2,3 miles  -  Multiple laps to encourage beginners 

  •  4 miles

  •  6 miles

  •  9 miles

 

  Each group will be accompanied by a nominated member(s) who will ensure that no one runs

  unsupported.

Routes

Routes vary and are dependant on the seasons, Spring/Summer sessions use rural tracks and

country lanes, while Autumn/Winter sessions are on well lit roads. We try and vary our routes

as much as possible.

 

 

Health & Safety Policy

 

ARC Health & Safety policy can be viewed here

 

 

Committee

 

  CLUB OFFICERS  
Chris Sprules Chairman Email
Rachel Parker Vice Chairwoman Email
Steve Benzie Secretary Email
Terry Hastings Treasurer Email
  COMMITTEE  
Karen Waple   Email
Sue Benzie   Email
Ron Reynolds   Email
Steve woolley   Email
Melanie Brown   Email
Liam Bradley   Email
Tracey Sprules   Email
Clare Heaven   Email
Richard Lodge   Email
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Club Fees 2011

£36.00 Single Membership
£52.00 Couple
   
 

Tuesday, Club Night  50p

Please note that new members are subject to an additional one off payment of £5.00  to cover
UK athletics membership

 

 

 Fees include ARC membership, Stick and Wicket membership, UK Athletics affiliation and

Insurance. Members are also receive discounted entrance fees to most UK races

 

In addition to the UKA Public Liability Insurance, members are also covered by the Club's Personal

Accident Insurance Scheme upon payment of their annual subscription. 

 

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Club Colours

 

Sky Blue and Black Vest and Black Shorts

Club Vests, Tracksters, Mens’ Shorts, T- Shirts, Ladies’ Shorts, Winter Fluorescent Tops are available from the club.

 

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New Members

People interested in joining can come along on Tuesday nights at 7.30.

Alternatively, email Steve Woolley and we will

arrange a member to greet you and select an appropriate group to run with.

 

Click Here to open an application form.

 

Please Note

 

At present we cannot allow runners under 16 years of age to join the Club without a parent or guardian also being a member.

 

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The Stick & Wicket Social Club

 
The Stick & Wicket can be found adjacent to Aldridge Parish Church at the far end of The Green off 
the Little Aston Road.
 
 
The club has changing facilities and showers and a licensed bar and members will often stay for a 
drink and a chat after runs. 
 
 
 
 
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Travel
 
The club arranges coach travel to several UK races each year and has traveled to many overseas 
destinations including marathons in New York, Paris, Barcelona and Amsterdam.
 
 
 
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TWENTY YEARS ON.

It's a too often repeated "witticism" that Aldridge Running Club is a drinking club with a running problem, but the origins of that remark lie in the formation of the club twenty years ago, in October 1988.

A group of friends, keen on running-to-keep-fit, decided to form a club in order to run together, keeping each other company as they pounded the pavements, drenched in sweat, linament & endless good intentions based on faintly remembered new year's resolutions.

Very soon it became clear that mutual encouragement allied to some serious socialising was a benefit to all, aided by the fortuitous choice of the 'Stick & Wicket' as the weekly venue; the starting point for varied 4, 6 & 9 mile runs, good hot after-run showers and a well-stocked ( & heavily used ) bar, all contributing to a custom of Run-and-Fun that endures twenty years on.

ARC members have motivated & supported each other in a vast number of races on four continents (Antarctica is still being considered!!) from fun runs, through marathons & ultra runs, some serious, some fun,all injected with a little bit of ARC togetherness & celebrated afterwardsin keeping with the tradition conceived all those years ago.

*Tony Jones (class of '91)

 

*Tony Jones

Tony Jones passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday 30th August 2011. He was a staunch member of the Running Club since the early 90s. He joined with the class of 1990. A good runner since his youth, through his National Service and into senior age classes - he ran in all of the local races. His speciality was in Marathons and he ran London more times than he thought was sensible. He always ran to support a charity. He met the love of his life - Penny at the Stick and Wicket and was about to celebrate 20 years of togetherness with Penny in Paris. A old stamping ground from his Tour guide years. He was the Aldridge Race Director before Karen Waple for several years, Chairman of the Club from 2003 to 2005, and was a member to whom you could go for advice which was always freely and willingly given.

His influence and expertise went beyond running. Tony was an inveterate Baggies supporter - always huddled with Nick Eynon with a worried look in times of strife and with a beer and a smile in successful times. His knowledge of the finer points of wine and beer was worryingly good. He made a mean whisky flavoured marmalade which got Steve Woolley off putting lager on his cornflakes. His jams were legendary, as were his donations of cooking apples from his and Penny's allotment. He had in depth conversations with John Quinn and Liam Bradley, on growing vegetables and fruit, who have a plot on the same allotments. A man who liked his curries and Thai food particularly on Club outings. His knowledge of birds - the feathered variety - was encyclopaedic and he had great input to local and national bird watching clubs and groups.

He was a bon viver with high standards. If it wasn't correct or appropriate Tony would tell you. He was loyal, supportive, fair-minded and knowledgable - and he was my friend.

Steve Law

 

 

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This site was last updated 12/21/11 Steve Woolley