Please bring with you a completed safety guidance form with you on your first night.
Interested in Joining?
Is Aldridge Running Club for you? Many members have only one regret on joining - that we didn't do it earlier!. This is a friendly club that welcomes runners (and aspiring runners) of all abilities.
Come along on a Tuesday night at 6.45-7.00 and ask to speak to a Committee Member. Alternatively, email us and we will arrange a member to greet you and select an appropriate group to run with. You do not have to be at any particular level to join - there will be someone to run with you whatever your running experience. Please download and complete our Safety Guidance Form and bring it with you on your first evening. 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. |
Download an Application Form Here
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Why join ARC? - what our members say:
A potential member asked about ARC on our Facebook page. The responses were stunning:
Question:
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Member responses:
Club Fees 2024:
Full (competitive) membership:
Social (non-competitive) membership:
Payment by bank transfer is preferred (please refer to the announcement on the club App for bank details) but can also be made by cheque or cash if necessary. Please give cheques/cash to Claire Crook or to Tony Baker on a Tuesday night. Email us for bank details for transfer if you can't find them on the club App.
- Single - £55
- Joint with spouse/partner - £94
- Single if claiming state pension - £46
- Joint with spouse/partner if at least one member is claiming state pension - £82
Social (non-competitive) membership:
- Single - £36
- Joint with spouse/partner - £56
- Single if claiming state pension - £27
- Joint with spouse/partner if at least one member is claiming state pension - £44
Payment by bank transfer is preferred (please refer to the announcement on the club App for bank details) but can also be made by cheque or cash if necessary. Please give cheques/cash to Claire Crook or to Tony Baker on a Tuesday night. Email us for bank details for transfer if you can't find them on the club App.
For those wishing to join part-way through a year please ask Claire, our treasurer, to confirm the fee payable.
Couch to 5k
If you'd like to start running but perhaps feel that you need some help to get started, we recommend the NHS ‘Couch to 5k’ plan This plan has been tested previously and proved to be very successful. Each session consists of:
This plan will suit members who may need a bit of help to restart their running, or others who may be unsure about where to start. It is hoped that it may prove an attractive entry point for new, beginner members into the club. We do run courses ourselves from time to time but more regular courses are available from Walsall Council.
If you've successfully completed the couch to 5k programme you might be interested in downloading the '5k+' podcasts from the same source.
- Brisk five-minute walk to warm up
- Alternate periods of running and walking, starting for a total of 20 minutes then gradually increasing the length of the running sessions and the total time.
- Cool down and stretching
This plan will suit members who may need a bit of help to restart their running, or others who may be unsure about where to start. It is hoped that it may prove an attractive entry point for new, beginner members into the club. We do run courses ourselves from time to time but more regular courses are available from Walsall Council.
If you've successfully completed the couch to 5k programme you might be interested in downloading the '5k+' podcasts from the same source.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. I’m new to running and want to join ARC. How much is it and when can I start?
A. Steady on there! We ask all newcomers to come along for a few weeks to find out if they actually enjoy running. After 2-3 sessions you should get an idea if it’s for you. It will make things easier on the night if you bring with you a completed Safety Guidance form, which you can download here. You can then download and print off a membership application form and hand it in to the club chair or membership secretary on Club nights, along with the membership fee (see above).
Q. I’m worried about running with a group. What happens if I can’t keep up and I get left behind?
A. This doesn’t happen. Each group has at least 2 members (one in the middle and one at the back) who will ensure that there is someone running at your pace and you are not left alone.
Q. I would like to join a running club but am a bit unfit/overweight/ haven’t run in years. What kind of standard are you looking for?
A. Well having 2 feet certainly helps but is not always necessary! We cater from the complete novice right the way through to the seasoned marathoner and all levels in-between. Our Club nights are structured so runners can progress through distance and endurance at their own pace. If you need a really gentle start then consider completing a couch to 5k course first - see above - but our 1-mile 'loops' run on a Tuesday club night will accommodate a complete beginner.
Q. Do I come ready to run?
A. Most people do but there are changing rooms at the Stick & Wicket. During the autumn and winter periods we ask runners to wear reflective tops or bibs.
Q. I’m nervous when approaching large groups. Could someone meet me outside the club for my first night?
A. Of course. We are a large group but very friendly but if you need someone to meet you outside just email in advance and we will have someone meet you.
Q. I can’t make every Tuesday night due to work/ family commitments, is this a problem?
A. None of us can guarantee that we can make every session. We will be glad to see you when you are able to make it and don’t forget we have informal sessions on Thursday evenings and Sunday mornings that you might be able to attend.
Q. What happens on the Thursday and Sunday sessions?
A. We meet on the road outside the S & W on Thursday at 6.30 and Sunday at 9.00 am. These are informal sessions and we don’t use the facilities at the S&W. The Thursday group runs a 4 mile route and the distance on Sunday is determined by the group on the day but is usually around 9 miles, sometimes with an option to loop back early for a 6 mile run. It’s always best to have a few Tuesday night sessions under your belt before you try a Thursday/Sunday session as you will feel more comfortable running with people you know.
Q. Can I run the Aldridge 10k
A. We expect all members to help out on the day of the 10k and not run. The more help we get on the day helps to make our race a huge success. We then have an opportunity to run our own race on the following club night, followed by a buffet. The winners of this race will receive trophies at our presentation evening.
Q. The Lone Ranger had a horse called Silver but what the heck was Tonto’s horse called?
A. Tonto’s horse was called ‘Scout’. Not many people know that......
Any more questions ? Send us an email.
A. Steady on there! We ask all newcomers to come along for a few weeks to find out if they actually enjoy running. After 2-3 sessions you should get an idea if it’s for you. It will make things easier on the night if you bring with you a completed Safety Guidance form, which you can download here. You can then download and print off a membership application form and hand it in to the club chair or membership secretary on Club nights, along with the membership fee (see above).
Q. I’m worried about running with a group. What happens if I can’t keep up and I get left behind?
A. This doesn’t happen. Each group has at least 2 members (one in the middle and one at the back) who will ensure that there is someone running at your pace and you are not left alone.
Q. I would like to join a running club but am a bit unfit/overweight/ haven’t run in years. What kind of standard are you looking for?
A. Well having 2 feet certainly helps but is not always necessary! We cater from the complete novice right the way through to the seasoned marathoner and all levels in-between. Our Club nights are structured so runners can progress through distance and endurance at their own pace. If you need a really gentle start then consider completing a couch to 5k course first - see above - but our 1-mile 'loops' run on a Tuesday club night will accommodate a complete beginner.
Q. Do I come ready to run?
A. Most people do but there are changing rooms at the Stick & Wicket. During the autumn and winter periods we ask runners to wear reflective tops or bibs.
Q. I’m nervous when approaching large groups. Could someone meet me outside the club for my first night?
A. Of course. We are a large group but very friendly but if you need someone to meet you outside just email in advance and we will have someone meet you.
Q. I can’t make every Tuesday night due to work/ family commitments, is this a problem?
A. None of us can guarantee that we can make every session. We will be glad to see you when you are able to make it and don’t forget we have informal sessions on Thursday evenings and Sunday mornings that you might be able to attend.
Q. What happens on the Thursday and Sunday sessions?
A. We meet on the road outside the S & W on Thursday at 6.30 and Sunday at 9.00 am. These are informal sessions and we don’t use the facilities at the S&W. The Thursday group runs a 4 mile route and the distance on Sunday is determined by the group on the day but is usually around 9 miles, sometimes with an option to loop back early for a 6 mile run. It’s always best to have a few Tuesday night sessions under your belt before you try a Thursday/Sunday session as you will feel more comfortable running with people you know.
Q. Can I run the Aldridge 10k
A. We expect all members to help out on the day of the 10k and not run. The more help we get on the day helps to make our race a huge success. We then have an opportunity to run our own race on the following club night, followed by a buffet. The winners of this race will receive trophies at our presentation evening.
Q. The Lone Ranger had a horse called Silver but what the heck was Tonto’s horse called?
A. Tonto’s horse was called ‘Scout’. Not many people know that......
Any more questions ? Send us an email.