Want to train for a 5k, 10k, half or full marathon?
Do interval or endurance, strength or speed sessions…
Or simply take part in steady runs, tailored to your pace group, across our panoramic rural trails? If so, Garden City Runners, the leading and longest-established running club in the area, is ready to welcome you.
Garden City Runners is a club of active runners and joggers. Their subscription is just £20 per year. Go down to any of their training sessions on Tuesday or Thursday evenings at 6.30pm and run with them.
Training details
GCR believes that runners and joggers of all abilities should enjoy and be supported in their running, regardless of their goals or reasons for taking part. Regular training sessions are central to the club and suit every type of runner, speedy or not so. We welcome everyone, whether you are striving to improve, are training for a particular event or are content to maintain your current fitness level. One week you may choose to push yourself and another you may wish to do a steady sociable run. We try to cater for everyone. In the summer there are some lovely off-road running routes in the country around Tewin and Panshanger Park. In the winter the runs are mainly around Welwyn Garden City.
Take a look at our programme below and see which sessions suit you
TUESDAY & THURSDAY
The Tuesday and Thursday evenings are our club’s core midweek training sessions. Steady runs and the Tuesday interval session start at 6:30pm on Tuesdays. Because of social distancing rules, each group meets in a different place each week. On Thursdays we do not have group runs at the moment but Garden City Runners have restarted Thursday track sessions but places must be booked in advance online.
A summary of all the sessions is as follows:
| TUESDAY | KMs | MILES | ||
| Group | MIN/KM | DISTANCE | MIN/MILE | DISTANCE |
| 7/8k | 7:30-8:30 | 7-8 | 11-12 | 4-5.5 |
| 9/10k | 6-7 | 9-10 | 10-11 | 5-6 |
| FASTER | 5:30-6 | 10-11 | 9-9:30 | 6-7 |
| 5/6k | A gentle-paced run that would suit those who are still new to running, like a slower pace, are returning from injury or a break from running |
These are all subject to current rulings and should always be checked via the club website https://www.gardencityrunners.org.uk
On Tuesdays at 6:30pm there is an interval session focusing on speedwork and improving race performance, the details of this are emailed and posted on Facebook a few days before.
You can train with us in safety, with no-one left behind, and you’ll be amazed at the steady improvement you will make. These sessions would also be ideal for anyone training for events such as Race for Life and the many other organised races that take place in Hertfordshire and beyond.
For more information, please contact: gcr@gardencityrunners.org.uk
SUNDAYS
A long steady run takes place every Sunday morning in the countryside and is usually between 8 and 12 miles . The time and meeting point is posted on Facebook.
HOW TO FIND THE SPORTS CENTRE AT RIDGEWAY ACADEMY
** PLEASE NOTE – NO SESSIONS ARE CURENTLY MEETING AT RIDGEWAY ACADEMY – LOCATIONS ARE SHARED WITH MEMBERS EACH WEEK **
Garden City Runners are based at the Sports Centre at Ridgeway Academy.
Their website https://www.gardencityrunners.org.uk/
Sports Centre
Ridgeway Academy
Herns Lane
Welwyn Garden City
Herts
AL7 2AF
The entrance to the Sports Centre car park is via Appletree Way, opposite Daniels, off Herns Lane. There are 45 parking spaces.
| Please note: Do not use the laybys outside the Sports Centre. Use the school car park if sports centre is full. |