About

Frequently asked questions…
Who are we?
Where do we meet?
The standard of our runners?
Do you cater for beginners?
Where do we race?
How do I join?
What does it cost?
What are the benefits of membership?
Who is on the Alchester Committee?

Answers…

We are a small running club (approximately 100 members), based in Bicester, Oxfordshire, which was formed in 1999 and named after the old Roman town and fort of Alchester just to the west of modern day Bicester. Some of the older members claim to have fond memories of the Roman occupation!

Tuesday: We meet for pace improvement club nights, 6:50 pm at Gavray Drive, Langford Village, Bicester.In the summer months we meet at BSA,Akeman Road,Chesterton,sameday and time. These sessions are aimed at improving your speed and stamina. We do not recommend these sessions for new runners. As of Tuesday 4th May our summer sessions start at Chesterton.

Thursday: At Bicester and Ploughly Sports Centre, at 6:50pm for a 7.00pm start. Please meet at the rear of the sports centre by the bowling centre.Thursday club nights are run with pace groups shepherded by club members wearing bibs, we always encourage members to step forward and be shepherds so please say if you feel you can do this. We have groups ranging in paces from approx 7 to 10.00 minute miling, depending on availability of shepherds.

Groups will be confirmed on Club Night with shepherds being allocated on the night as well. We always like to receive any comments regarding our groups, we can not improve the service we provide if people do not tell us what they want. We can always adjust the timings if we feel there is a need to. Groups will set off at 30 second intervals and will be of the following approximate paces:

Group One-Advanced Runners

Group Two,Red-8 min/mile

Group Three,Orange-8.30 min/mile

Group Four,Yellow-9 min/mile

Group Five,Green-9.30 min/mile.

Group Six,Blue-10.00 min/mile

We aim to cater for all abilities – from sub 6 minute milers to beginners. Our Mission statement is “to be recognised as a local centre of excellence and support for the promotion of running as a sport to all comers over the age of 16, at all levels of ability”.

Our club night runs, include a beginners group right through to advanced runners normally running distances of between 3 and 9 miles.

Routes can change throughout the year and are approximate distances. We try and run routes where most of our groups are following each other. This aids improvement as our runners know that there are groups in front and behind them should they wish to go faster or slower during their run. Please be aware that routes are subject to change depending on conditions and requirements of runners.

If you have any comments regarding our groups and sheperds please do not hesitate to contact us.

New runners are very welcome at Alchester. The club offers beginners’ sessions for those who would like to try running at a comfortable speed, in the company of a regular Alchester runner who will lead the group in a high-visibility vest. There is no need to book. Just turn up and run!

The sessions will be different every time and will be designed around the runners who attend each session, and subject to the availability of group leaders.

PLEASE NOTE: The club reserves the right to alter these sessions without notice, depending on turnout for each session and the availability of group leaders.

Club members compete in road races, ranging from 5k to marathons, multi-terrain races and the Oxford Mail Cross Country league. We have a club championship series for both road running and multi-terrain events; hold regular club handicaps from well researched local pubs; and annually organise 3 of our own races – The Chardon 5k, The ‘ladies only’ Candleford Canter 10k, and, jointly with Bicester AC, The Andy Reading Memorial 10k road race.

You may be a little daunted about the thought of joining a running club if you have never been a member before. Don’t be! We have members of all ages, all abilities and all levels of commitment. Whatever your standards of fitness are, you will be made very welcome.

The club is very friendly and social. Why not come along on a Thursday evening and give us a try; run either with our beginners group or one of our other pace groups – a committee member will always run with you at your pace and over your distance when you first join.

Download our application form (Word document, 27KB)Alchester Membership Application Form 2008-2

Please note that you must be aged 16 to join the club.

Annual membership of Alchester Running Club runs from 1st April to 31st March each year.

Membership costs £17 per year with renewal fees due on 1st April for the new membership year irrespective of when you joined the club.

However for new members joining part way through a membership year the following discounted rates apply depending on the month they join in.

Month Joined Membership fee

April – September £17

October-December £12

January-March £8

Mmembership fees cover the following:

England Athletics affiliation (saves £2 when entering races)

Public Liability & Personal Accident Insurance which applies while you are involved in “athletics activities”

Club Administration

Newsletter

Note to existing members: changes came into effect from 1st March 2008.

Apart from a lot of friendly people to run with, there are a considerable number of benefits of membership:

Alchester Running Club is affiliated to Oxfordshire Athletics Association, the South East Athletics Association, and England Athletics. Club members do not have to pay the unattached levy when entering races.

Club members are able to run in the Oxfordshire Cross Country league without having to pay any entry fees.

10% discounts are available at a number of local sports shops on production of your club membership card.

Free copies of the club newsletter.

Advice and support on improving your running from the club coaches and fellow members.

Opportunity to gain one the club’s London Marathon places.

Opportunity to compete in the club’s road and multi-terrain championships

As per the AGM of January 2010 this is your committee and their responsibilities

Responsibility Matrix-1

Chairman Keith Jones
Vice Chairman Nick Cherry
Secretary Marion Harris
Treasurer Natalie Green
Membership Secretary Julie Trinder
Road Race Secretary Liz Grolimund
Multi-terrain and Cross Country Secretary Jon Burgess
Men’s Captain Richard Gould
Ladies Captain Liz Grolimund
Newsletter Editor TBC
Website Emma Gould, Keith Jones

Committee Members
Nigel Trinder
Edwina Colclough
Gary Warland
Bridget Mold
Natalie Green
Marion Harris

Simon Worfolk

Dave Bashham