How RunTogether Groups Work

You want company on your runs without joining a club yet, and you want to know what happens at a RunTogether group run. This guide explains who leads RunTogether groups, how sessions are structured, what the four pace descriptions mean and how to search, register and book a local run.

Why groups sit next to clubs

England Athletics describes itself as the national governing body for grassroots athletics in England. It states that it wants more people to start running, to continue running and to increase how much they run, and to enjoy the physical and emotional well-being benefits that running can bring. The reason for a separate group offer is practical. The organisation reports that running with other people helps you keep running regularly, and that it has listened to people who are starting out and who do not yet feel confident to join a running club. RunTogether was developed to bridge that gap. It is not presented as a replacement for club membership. It is presented as a first step that lets you run with others in a friendly and welcoming setting while you build confidence, fitness and routine. If you later want competition or regular coaching, that route stays open through affiliated clubs.

Who leads your run

Every RunTogether group is led by a qualified group leader. That point matters because it shapes what you can expect. You are not joining an informal meet-up where everyone decides the route on the spot. You are joining a structured session run by someone who has completed leader training. England Athletics says it welcomes new leaders of all abilities and backgrounds and that it offers training and support to help them get started, grow their groups and continue developing as leaders. The emphasis in the session description is on having fun in a friendly and welcoming environment. For you as a runner, the leader sets the plan, manages the pace, leads the warm-up and cool-down and looks after the group so that slower and faster runners each have a place. The page does not publish the personal names of leaders or a single national timetable, because groups are local and new groups are created each week.

What a structured session looks like

Sessions follow the same basic shape so you know what to expect. They include a warm-up at the start and a cool-down at the end, which the programme links to reducing injury, and a main running part that is planned for the level advertised. The format can start with walk-and-jog intervals and build toward running for longer, although some groups also offer faster-paced or longer sessions as runners gain experience and fitness. Since January 2017, more than 2,000 RunTogether groups have been set up around the country, and the community is described as comprising over 80,000 runners. There are thousands of sessions every week to choose from. The RunTogether programme does not give a fixed length in minutes or a fixed distance for every session, because each leader sets the detail for the local group. If you are new, the guidance on how to start running safely helps you think about shoes, pacing and rest in the same plain way that a leader will use on the night. Evening sessions run through the dark half of the year, and the sky above a night route gives the outing something extra to notice.

Which pace group fits you

RunTogether uses four broad descriptions and you choose the one that matches your current running. Get Me Started is for beginner runners and joggers, or for people who have not run for a while and want a gentle introduction. There is no minimum standard or level of experience, and the description states that it is fine to walk a bit, jog a bit and walk a bit more. Keep Me Going is for you if you generally run at least twice per month and feel comfortable running or jogging around 5km without stopping. Challenge Me is for runners who typically run at least once every week and are looking to increase pace or running distance. Mixed ability is different again. Many leaders offer sessions that cater for all abilities and include activities that ensure everyone gets a good workout, which is ideal if you want to come along with a friend or family member who runs at a different pace to you. You can find the current detail on the official RunTogether programme page before you pick a session, then match the wording of the local listing to these four descriptions.

How is a group different from a club

A group and an affiliated club share an interest in running, but they work in different ways. Groups are described as a great way to start running with others if a running club does not feel right for you at the moment. They often run a range of pace sessions and they focus on participation rather than competition. Most RunTogether groups do not charge an annual membership, although there may be a small charge per session, depending on the leader and the facilities used by the group. The page does not publish a national price, so you need to read the individual session listing. An affiliated club has a formal link to England Athletics. That link allows the club to register athletes to compete for the club in events held under UK Athletics rules of competition, to compete as a club, to access support that is available only to affiliated clubs and to benefit from cover under the public liability policy that is specific to clubs. To understand that formal side, read how to find an affiliated club and compare it with the drop-in character of a group run.

How do you find and join a local run

You start by searching for a session near you on the RunTogether website by entering your postcode. You then register with RunTogether, which is free, and book onto your chosen sessions. After registration you have a personal My RunTogether page where you can track your runs, save your favourite routes and cancel sessions if you need to. Booking matters because it lets the leader expect you and manage numbers, and the personal page keeps your bookings in one place. There is no minimum standard to try a Get Me Started session. Wear what you would wear for a brisk walk, bring water if the leader suggests it in the listing, and arrive in time for the warm up so the leader can explain the route and the effort level. If the first session feels too easy or too hard, you can book a different pace description the next time rather than pushing through discomfort.

Can a local club run a group

Yes. England Athletics encourages all running clubs to use the tools provided by RunTogether to set up groups, in order to give new runners an accessible route into running. England Athletics notes that many affiliated running clubs set up Get Me Started RunTogether groups as a friendly and accessible way to invite new runners to try running with them. The reason given is that beginner runners often do not see themselves as good enough at running to join a club, even when the club would welcome them. A club-led group therefore acts as an open door. It uses the same leader training, the same session structure and the same booking system, but it can introduce you to the people and habits of the club without asking you to take out membership at the start. If you enjoy that first block of sessions, ask the leader what the club offers next and what membership would change for you.

Enter your postcode on the RunTogether website, register for free, book one Get Me Started or mixed ability session for this week and keep the booking on your My RunTogether page so you can track it, save the route and cancel if plans change.