Saffron Striders 2025 Beginners Running Course – Starts Thursday May 8th 2025 for 11 weeks
Here are the beginners (plus coaches and helpers) from last year’s course, soon after they have completed their 5km run. Looking like they could do it all again!
Entries to Saffron Striders 2025 Beginners course are now open, please use the application form at this link to enrol. The cost fee is £65, this includes one year full membership to Saffron Strider Running Club.
Please read below for more detailed information:
About Striders:-
Saffron Striders Running Club has about 200 members who live in or around the town.
There are an equal number of men and women, whose average age is around 46.
We have some very fast runners and a lot of relatively slow runners, we have many runners who prefer to run shortish distances and some who enjoy running over 100km. (Yes, incredible!) It doesn’t matter how slow or fast you want to be, all are welcome.
Because we run on roads in club sessions, for safety reasons members must be over 16.
Who is this course for?
Men or women of any age who would like a little help and support to be able to run 5km.
Most of our beginners have not run for a long time, even going as far back as school days. Some used to run but stopped and wanted to get going again. Some have been injured runners who want to build up slowly back to fitness. So you might see a wide variety of abilities but most are just like you.
Please ensure you read and act on the ‘Preparation’ section towards the end of this leaflet
What happens?
The appplication form allows us to record your details on the England Athletic database for insurance (Public Liability) and so we have your emergency contact details.
At every session we begin with a series of warm up drills to get your mind and body in the right place for running and to reduce the risk of injury. Then we will undertake a running based activity. We close with stretches to help avoid stiffness and again to reduce the risk of injury to muscles that you might not have used for a long time.
As you might imagine, over the 11 weeks each session becomes a little harder and the distance covered a little longer.
At all times UK Athletics licensed coaches will guide you, answer your questions and encourage you.
There is no pressure to go faster; we are building your endurance not your speed. It is not a race. Everyone will go at their own pace, it makes no difference if you are fastest or slowest and you should not think it does.
Where and when?
We will learn and train at Carver Airfield. There we have access to a fabulous running track, runways and fields.
The course lasts 10 weeks plus an 11th week which is a 5km timed event. The first session is on Thursday 8th May and continues every Thursday evening until 13th July. We run whatever the weather, unless it is not safe to do so.
What do I wear?
You must have shoes appropriate for running. Apart from that what you wear is your choice, make your clothing appropriate to the weather and how hot or cold you get when doing exercise. It is not a fashion show.
Food and Drink?
No need for any food at the session, in fact we would recommend that you do not eat anything substantial less than 2 hours before you train. Drinks are essential, water is perfectly adequate; bring with you to your training session.
Shirts
We ask for your shirt size and the name you would like printed on the shirt (usually your first name) on the application form. Our shirt supplier is already lined up so that we can provide you with a personalised Striders T Shirt very quickly. That helps everyone know each other’s names. Your coaches will also be wearing different Striders coaching shirts with their names on to help you.
Payments and Refunds
As soon as we get your application form and payment, we register you with England Athletics and order your shirt. We have to pay for all of these up front, so if you don’t start the course or you drop out for any reason, we are sorry but there are no refunds because your payment to us has already been spent.
Homework
At the end of each Thursday evening session, we will give you homework. The homework should be done by the following Tuesday evening at the latest; it should not be done on the evening before the session Thursday session. To run 5km after 10 weeks, you will need to complete your homework.
After the course ends?
Then you are really welcome to join our club runs which take place every Tuesday evening from Lord Butler and most Thursday evenings at Carver. There are various types of run each evening, including a 4km run. As you are a member there is no cost until April 2026.
Venue
Carver Airfield. Elder Street. Entrance 200m from Debden Barns CB11 3JY.
Car parking inside airfield. Please arrive before 7.00pm, after then gates will be locked. There is pedestrian access only after 7pm if you are late.