Aldridge Running Club
The Club was formed in 1988 and has approaching 200 members. Generally on a Tuesday evening there are about 50-60 members running from the Stick & Wicket.
We have members of all abilities, from seasoned marathon runners to fun runners and walkers, and welcome anyone regardless of age, gender, experience or fitness.
We have members of all abilities, from seasoned marathon runners to fun runners and walkers, and welcome anyone regardless of age, gender, experience or fitness.
Club Nights & Training SessionsThe club meets on Tuesday evenings from 7pm at the Stick & Wicket Club Aldridge. Runs usually start around 7.10pm.
There are five main group runs on club nights:
Each group nominates a member to be responsible for the group. No-one is left behind!. There is also a walking group, covering 2 miles. At times other groups are organised to support members wanting to run a different distance. Tuesday Club Night RoutesRoutes vary and are dependent on the seasons, we publish our planned routes here. The 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. Our current winter routes can be viewed here and our summer routes here but please bear in mind that mapping the off-road parts of the summer runs is not precise. The heading for each route is a hyperlink to an interactive map.
Walking Group
The walking group is a Tuesday night session is designed to complement the runs and to acknowledge that, for many reasons, some people coming to the club may not wish to or be able to run. For some people, not running may be short-term but for others it may be longer term. Either way, going for a walk will enable club members to take some gentle exercise and enjoy the camaraderie of being in a group, chatting as we walk. Our club has been going for a long while now and the addition of a walking group enables older members to still participate and also caters for people who are nervous about taking their first steps towards running to prove to themselves that they can do some exercise. We are forever grateful to Claire Heaven for starting this popular addition to our options on a Tuesday night.
The group follows a two mile route each week. with everyone in the group staying together and then it is hoped that all will join the post-walk drink in the clubhouse (and maybe even the occasional cake!). Club Handicap Races
During the summer months the club runs a series of handicap races for club members, once per month on a Tuesday club night. These races allow members to compete against each other and themselves, trying to better their performance as the season progresses. Start times are staggered to allow everyone an equal chance of winning. The most recent results, and a summary of how the handicap races work, can be found here.
Informal social runs from the Stick & Wicket
There are sessions at 6:30pm on Thursday evenings and at other times as members decide to arrange them. Club members meet on the road outside the Stick & Wicket as the club is not usually open during these times. The Thursday night group run a 4 mile route.
Aldridge BionicsSeveral members of Aldridge Running Club have had replacement joints and continue to run at different standards. Titanium, steel, ceramic and synthetic discs are not necessarily an end to running. If this might affect you, then have a chat with Liam Bradley initially. There are running members who will happily share their experiences.
travelThe club sometimes arranges coach travel to selected UK events and has travelled to many overseas destinations including races in New York, Paris, Barcelona, Amsterdam and, most recently, Lanzarote.
Above: Club members listen to a talk from 'Blind Dave' Heeley
|
The Stick & Wicket
The Green, Aldridge, Walsall,WS9 8NH
The Stick & Wicket can be found behind Aldridge Parish Church at the far end of The Green off the Little Aston Road. Changing rooms and showers are available and there is a bar serving hot and cold drinks.
interested in joining?Go to our New Members page.
documents and POLICIESClub History‘The ‘drinking club with a running problem’ was formed in October 1988 when 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 and aided by the fortuitous choice of the 'Stick & Wicket' as the weekly venue; the starting, good hot after-run showers and a well-stocked (& heavily used) bar, all contributing to a custom of Run-and-Fun that endures today.
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 afterwards in keeping with the tradition conceived all those years ago. CommitteeContact details can be found on the Contact Us page
FeesDetails of subscription rates can be found on our New Members page.
ParkrunMany ARC members are enthusiastic supporters of parkrun. This is a 5km run - you against the clock - and takes place every Saturday at 09:00. We all run for our own enjoyment so please come along and join in whatever your pace. The nearest are held in the Walsall Arboretum, Chasewater and Sutton Park. It’s free but you need to register in advance to get the barcode needed to get an official result. For more details go to the Parkun website
open-water swimming
A number of ARC members take park in triathlons, some of which include open-water swims. There are practice sessions in a number of places during the summer with the Dosthill Quarry, Chasewater, Cliff Lakes Centre, and Blithfield Resevoir popular choices..
Social
The club has hosted quizzes and dances and the word ‘Curry’ will usually ensure a night out. The club has arranged walking weekends, cycling holidays, climbed trees, watched cricket, gone to the theatre… Basically if anyone comes up with a good idea there are always plenty of people who will go along with it. Social events for the current year can be found here.
|