About Us

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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