Aldridge Running Club
The Club was formed in 1988 and has approximately 200 members, a little over half of whom are women. Generally on a Tuesday evening there are about 50-60 members running.
We have members of all abilities, from seasoned marathon runners to fun runners and welcome anyone regardless of age, gender, experience or fitness.
We have members of all abilities, from seasoned marathon runners to fun runners 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 7.30pm.
There are four main group runs on club nights:
Each group is accompanied by nominated member(s) at the front and the back, who ensure that no one runs unsupported. There is also a walking group, covering 2 miles and often a more informal 9-mile group. At times other groups are organised to support members wanting to run a different distance. Click here for the current Tuesday night schedule Tuesday Club Night RoutesRoutes vary and are dependent on the seasons. 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.
We rely on volunteers to back-mark or 'muster' (do an imitation of a sheepdog to look after the middle runners) our Tuesday runs and ask that people take a turn at either mustering or back-marking a run. Back-markers don't necessarily have to run slowly (you can always keep looping back to make sure everyone is OK). Mustering can be quite hard work so is a good workout for a faster runner. The current rota for mustering/back marking can be downloaded here. Please speak to Jo Yarnall about mustering or back-marking in the future. Walking Group
The walking group started on May 3rd 2016. This is a Tuesday night session 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.
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 9:00am on Sunday mornings. 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 and the Sunday morning distances vary according to the group and time of the year, but often it is 9 miles with an option of cutting it down to 6.
Alternative informal sunday runs
Members organise other Sunday sessions from time to time, most often in Sutton Park or around Chasewater. The best way of finding out if these are running is to ask at a club night or use our Facebook group.
travelThe club arranges coach travel to selected UK events each year 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
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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. It has changing facilities, showers and a bar serving hot and cold drinks and snacks.
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.
Walsall Parkrun
Many ARC members are enthusiastic supporters of the Walsall 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. It’s held in the Walsall Arboretum, The Broadway, Walsall. 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 but the Cliff Lakes Centre (Formerly West Midlands Water Ski Centre), Tamworth Road, Cliff, B78 2DL, is one of the most convenient and beginner-friendly. There are sessions on Mondays and Thursdays from 5.30pm-8pm and Saturday mornings 7am-9am. - £6 per swim (£5 with NOWCA band), with wetsuits available for hire. The centre opened for 2016 in April. For more info email the centre. You now have to register with NOWCA to use this centre regularly. Other facilities include sessions at Chasewater and Blithfield Resevoir.
Social
The club regularly holds 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.
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