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Who are we?
We are a small running club (approximately 130 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!
We meet, for Club nights: 6:50 pm Tuesdays at Bicester Sports Association in Akeman St, Chesterton, OX26 1TH for pace improvement sessions and beginner shepherded runs.
Click here for a map of our location, the Bicester Sports Association, Akerman Street, Chesterton.
Also, at the Bicester and Ploughley Sports Centre right in the centre of Bicester, on Thursdaysday evenings at 6:50pm for a 7.00pm start. Members can use the shower facilities at the Sports Centre for a nominal fee. Thursday club nights are run with pace groups sheperded by club members wearing coloured bibs (please respect your pacer at all times during the run, by staying with them), at a range of paces from 7- to 10-minute miling, depending on availability.
Groups will be confirmed on Club Night, and will be adjusted
after trailing. Groups will set off at 30 second intervals and will be
of the following approximate pace:
RED Group: 9 mile
ORANGE Group: 7.5 miles @ 8:15 min/mile
YELLOW Group: 7.5 and 6 miles @ 9 min/mile
GREEN Group: 6 miles @ 10:00 min/mile
BLUE Group: One or more groups to meet the needs of other attending each
session, subject to the availability of group shepherds.”
We aim to cater for all abilities - from sub 6 minute milers to complete 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 complete beginners group, a social running group and 2 or 3 faster groups normally running distances of between 3 and 9 miles. Sessions will be confimed as far as possible on the club noticeboard every Sunday evening.
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. Sessions for the weeks ahead will be confimed as far as possible on the club noticeboard.
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, and many members stay behind after club night for a drink.
Why not come along on a Wednesday 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. Who knows - they might even buy you a drink in the bar afterwards!
Download our application form (Word document, 27KB) or contact us for more information.
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 | England Athletics fee | Alchester Club fee | Total Membership fee |
| April - September | £5 | £12 | £17 |
| October-December | £5 | £7 | £12 |
| January-March | £5 | £3 | £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
- Bi-monthly newsletter
Download our 2008/09 application form. (Word document, 27KB)
Note to existing members: changes came into effect from
1st March 2008.
What are the benefits of membership?
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, which is produced every 6 weeks.
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.
Who is on the Alchester Committee?
As per the AGM of January 2008:
Click Here for Club Responsibilities