Training with us
We run the following structured training sessions, which are coached and grouped by pace so no one is left behind. Whether you are building confidence, improving fitness, training for races or simply enjoy social running, there is a place for you.
For your first session, come along in comfortable running kit (High-Vis in winter), introduce yourself to a run leader and expect encouragement and support.
Training – Thursdays
- Time: Arrive 18:45, Start at 19:00
- Location: Sturfit, Sturminster Newton DT10 1EW
Changing rooms and showers are available for our use up to 8.45pm.
We run a structured training session, with an emphasis on catering for all levels of experience, by working in groups of similar ability and pace. Sessions are usually led by our Club Coach, Ian Pollard (EA Coach in Running Fitness), club coaches Shams Wahab, Paul Russell and Cathryn Rees (EA Coaches in Running Fitness) and/or other senior members with the EA Leader in Running Fitness qualification.
Using a variety of training methods and locations around the town and the surrounding lanes and trails, these sessions will help you improve your running technique, endurance and speed for more efficient and enjoyable running.
However you want to progress your running, whether for social enjoyment, improvement or in preparation for specific races or events (5/10K, Half/Marathon etc), our Thursday training evenings will help you develop your full running potential in a welcoming and like-minded training environment.
Winter Training – Tuesdays
- October to March
- Time: Arrive 18:45, Start at 18:50
- Location: Shaftesbury, central town car park near Morrisons
During the winter months we take advantage of the famous hills in Shaftesbury.
The session follows a regular route which includes a warm up, cool down and seven hills in between. Runners of all paces are welcome and the group will regather at the bottom of each hill to ensure no-one is left behind.
A qualified coach will be on hand to offer encouragement, pacing advice and technique tips to ensure you get the most out of each session.
There are also training sessions in Blandford, organised by the North Dorset Tri club which we are welcome to attend. For more details contact Lynda Faulkner.
Summer Runs – Tuesdays
- Time: Typically arrive 19:00, start at 19:15
- Location: Various, see our Summer Runs page for the weekly schedule
During the months of British Summer Time, we organise our weekly ‘Tuesday Summer Runs’.
These runs are organised by different club members each week in a variety of locations. They are also great social occasions and we get to run through some beautiful Dorset countryside and coastal trails.
The usual format involves meeting at 7pm for a 7.15pm start, or slightly earlier in April and September. There will usually be a choice of two or three distances to suit runners of various paces and requirements on the night, ranging from about 4 to 9 miles.
We also welcome walkers and well behaved dogs.
Couch to 5k Course
- Day: Monday
- Time: Arrive, 18:45, start at 19:00
- Locations: Sturfit, Sturminster Newton in January or Shaftesbury in June
Changing rooms and showers are available for our use up to 8.45pm.
We run a Couch to 5k course twice a year. This 10 week course on a Monday evening aims to help guide new or returning runners to become confident enough to continue their running on a regular basis, whether their goal is a 5k event, to join a permanent group or develop their general fitness and lifestyle.
For more details, see our Couch to 5k page.
Our Coaches and Run Leaders
All our Coaches and Run Leaders are either an England Athletics (EA) Coach in Running Fitness (CiRF) or an England Athletics (EA) Leader in Running Fitness (LiRF)
They regularly attend courses to keep up to date with latest advice and coaching.
