New Members Information
The club was founded in 1986 to provide an environment where people could enjoy the sport of running. Now, with over 150 members it has thriving senior and junior sections.
New members are always welcome and we believe we have something to offer all runners, whatever their ability or aspirations. We recognise not everyone wants to run competitive races, but members often look to running to provide a basic level of fitness. We invite all members to enjoy our active social scene.
Coaches
The Club has a team of qualified coaches, all of whom are CRB checked and willing to pass on their knowledge and experience. The groups they lead vary in pace and distance so there will be something suitable for everyone.
Sessions
Club senior members meet every Tuesday and Thursday at Longwell Green Community Centre, Shellards Road, BS30 9DU. Members arrive at around 6.50pm for any club announcements and to decide which group they want to go out with. Runs leave the centre at 7pm.
There is ample free car parking. (However your registration numbers must be input into one of the screens inside the building to avoid a fine.) Car keys can be left in the club box for safe keeping while you are out on your run.
Each club night offers a selection of pre-planned and risk assessed run routes. The routes vary in distance from 5k up to about 10k. (usually 4 and 5 mile options in between). Routes are rotated so that there is variety each week. Summer runs are more off road and we have routes that are suitable for wet weather and dark evenings.
In addition, ‘quality’ training and ‘Urban Track’ sessions are regularly held.
Speed work sessions are also held on Tuesday evenings at the Whitehall Athletics Track. (These sessions need to be booked)
Membership
Our membership currently costs £38 per year and includes membership of England Athletics. England Athletics provide insurance for the club and training for our coaches. It also offers race entry discounts.
Juniors
Our junior section is extremely active. Whilst we encourage our junior members to succeed the emphasis is always on having fun and enjoying their athletics. Our young athletes are encouraged to participate in the Avon Track and Field League series which is run throughout the summer months. We also take part in winter cross country events, focusing on the South Gloucestershire League. The juniors meet on Monday evenings. More details of junior membership are available on request.
Facilities
After our Thursday nights session we have access to the Community Centre Bar. We can also use the showering facilities if needed.
Club Kit
Club kit is not essential for training runs but we do have a local company for you to purchase training kit if you wish to fly the ‘Bitton Road Runners flag’. They have a selection of different kit from T Shirts to Hoodies which you can order directly from their website. https://www.kitco.biz/club-shop
Racing vests/T shirts
If you are running races as an affiliated club member you will need either a race vest or T shirt. It is also essential that one is worn if you want your race results to be included in any of our intra house club competitions detailed below.
These come from a different supplier and you can place an order with our Kit coordinator, Joe Stephens. You can catch him at the club, via the clubs what’s app group, or email him. (Current cost £25 each.) ja_stevens@hotmail.com
Club Competitions
The club has the 3 intra club competitions. All 3 run over the same period each year, from 1st April until the 31st March. Awards are presented at a celebration evening which is usually held in May. The rules are outlined below.
CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP
Points are scored for the fastest time recorded in the year by a club member, male and female, over the following race distances: Marathon, 20 Miles, ½ Marathon, 10 Miles, 10 Kilometres, 5 Miles and 5 Kilometres.(Race distance must be certified to qualify). Members must wear a club race vest/t shirt at each race for the results to qualify.
50 points are awarded for the fastest time for each distance and 49 for second fastest etc. Total scores are calculated for each runner as the aggregate of the best 5 scores over the 7 distances. Prizes are awarded to the top ten male and top 10 female members.
AGE GRADED CHAMPIONSHIP
This competition runs alongside the club championship. The member’s age is taken into account. Performance percentages and adjusted times are calculated from achieved times, using the recognised WAVA open class standard age factors for each distance. (As published 2006). Points are then allocated to the adjusted times in the same way as the Club Championship. Members must wear a club race vest/t shirt at each race for the result to qualify.
Prizes are awarded to the top 5 males and top 5 females.
THE RACE OF EIGHT SUPER SERIES
Points are awarded for times achieved, in selected races during the year, by a club member. At the end of the year members who have competed in at least eight of the elected races will be eligible to win their category. (Age/Gender)
10 points are allocated for the fastest time in each category, 9 points for the second time and so on down to 1 point. 1 point is also awarded to all finishers below 9th. Equal points are awarded for equal times. Members must wear a club race vest/t shirt at each race for the result to qualify.
The highest total points from any eight races at the end of the series will decide the winner in each category.
Annual team events/Relays
Midlands Spring & Autumn Relays
This event is usually a road trip day out for the club. The spring event is usually held on a Saturday in March. The autumn relay is in September. The captains like to enter as many teams as possible. The length of the legs can vary slightly but usually a 3 mile looped course. Open to all abilities.
Welsh Castles Relay
This is a very prestigious event and as a result we aren’t guaranteed an entry. The club has competed in the past but are waiting to hear if we can enter this year. It is a 20 stage relay over a full weekend in June. The course is 211 miles from Caernarfon Castle to Cardiff Castle. The legs are challenging and there are cut off times.
Cotswold Relay
This relay race is held on a Saturday in July. There are 10 legs which are run along the Cotswold Way, with the last leg finishing in Central Bath. We enter multiple teams of differing abilities.
The Christmas Cracker 10k – Weston Super Mare
The ‘Cracker’ is a race that we travel to by coach each year. Fancy dress is encouraged for the 10k run along the beach. This is followed by a well deserved Sunday Roast before the journey home. A great start to the festivities.
Monthly ‘Park Run’ gathering
At the end of each month a Park run is selected for a mass gathering of the club on a Saturday morning. Always good to see so many of the club running in our colours.
Club social events
Every year we have a Christmas party, an awards evening in May and regular social evenings at the club throughout the year. We really are a friendly social club that take running seriously, but also know how to have fun.
Races Organised by Bitton Road Runners
The club organises the following 3 events each year. You will be asked to help with at least one of these events each year as part of your membership. We will need volunteer marshals. Race courses need to be set up and there are plenty of other behind the scenes help needed to be able to hold these races. They raise a lot of money for various charities and for the club.
The Sodbury Slog
This is the largest race the Club organises with over 1200 entries. The race is held on Remembrance Sunday in November.
This is not for the faint hearted. Forget roads….this is lung busting, trainer wrecking, hill climbing, wet, muddy, multi terrain experience! (All set in the beautiful countryside)
It was voted the 2nd best race in the UK by readers of Runners World in 2007 and 2008.
The Hanham Horror
This is a 6 mile multi terrain race usually held on Easter Sunday. A challenging course as the name suggests.
The BRR 5K Series
These races take place on allocated Wednesday evenings through the summer months. They start at Bitton Railway Station and use the Bristol to Bath cycle track.
Club website, social media and apps
We have a club website that can be found at https://www.bittonroadrunners.co.uk
We use SPOND which is a sports team management app. It is a great way to see what’s on offer, book sessions, pay for kit, sign up for social events and pay membership fees.
We also use Face Book, Twitter, WhatsApp, Instagram, Email and Strava to offer alternative ways to keep in touch with what’s happening. We can get you added to these once you are a club member.