Looking For a Local Athletics or Running Club? Bexley AC Are you a runner or track and f ield athlete think ing about joining a club? The Kent London Athletics Network consists of 5 clubs in your area that offer friendly and sociable running as well as track and field athletics. Along with the health benefits of regular exercise, being a member of a club increases your circle of friends and you will also be able to receive discounts off England Athletics products, Sweatshop vouchers and discounted race entries. The Network also organises workshops which are free to Network club members. Previous workshops have included a first aid course, nutrition workshop and how to run a faster 10k time. The Network also offers bursaries to Network club members who attend England Athletic coaching courses details, of which can be found on the England Athletics website. www.englandathletics.org Please check out the Network website for upcoming events and news and the 5 club websites to find out where and when they meet and why not pop along on a club night. www.kentlondonathletics.org.uk Beckenham Running Club Beckenham Running Club is a long-established and sociable club, based at Beckenham Cricket Club, Foxgrove Road, Beckenham. Club night is on Wednesday evening at 6:45pm, and there are showers and a bar with food available for members. The runners organise themselves into groups for runs of 4 or 5 miles upwards, catering for run speeds typically maximum 9+ minutes per mile, but with faster groups running at training pace 7-minute miles or less. They use the parks in Beckenham when daylight allows, and also train on safe street routes. The members also meet at other times for training, normally organised ad hoc through their email group. Their organised events include an annual series of monthly timed handicap races over 3.5 miles, free to members, and an annual Grand Prix of 8 races of differing distances (at various open races). In the winter they compete in the Kent Cross Country League and other off-road events. They host three annual open races: - a 3 X 2.6 mile road relay in May, a 10k road race in June, and a 10k charity trail race in November. For further details see: www.beckenhamrunning.co.uk or just come along on Wednesday night. Bexley AC was established in 1954 and currently has around 300 members. There is a full training and competition programme throughout the year as well as a number of social events. They cater for all athletic disciplines and ages ranging from 9 to 90 and meet on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at the David Ives Stadium, Avenue Road, Erith (alongside the sports centre) for athletes aged 11 and over. 7-11 years olds meet at the stadium on Sunday mornings 10-11.30am. They compete in a number of athletics leagues and host “home” meetings. Other events include: organising an annual 10k race in Danson Park, responsibility for organising the London Mini-Marathon trials and participation in the London Mini-Marathon on behalf of the London Borough of Bexley. They also work with schools in the Borough to provide after school activities. For further details see: www.bexleyac.org.uk Petts Wood Runners Petts Wood Runners are a friendly running club formed in 2007 and are always looking for new members of all abilities. They hold beginners courses in the spring and autumn for non-runners who wish to start social running with others of similar ability, and they enter teams in running events for the more advanced runners. Many runners are positioned between these abilities and the club caters for all runners who want to train and run with others and benefit from the advantages that a local club can bring them. For further details see: www.pettswoodrunners.org Blackheath & Bromley Harriers AC Blackheath & Bromley Harriers AC, formed in 1869, are now based in Hayes with their Clubhouse in Bourne Way and Norman Park track. They cater for and welcome athletes of all ages from 11 years and above and offer advice and coaching for all abilities from complete beginners whether looking for social running groups or up to those aspiring to reach the highest levels. Competition is offered for track athletics, road running and cross country at local, county and national levels. There is also a triathlon section. Everyone will receive a warm and friendly welcome either at Norman Park or at the Clubhouse on Wednesday evenings, where changing facilities, supper and a bar are available. Under 12s can be catered for through the association with the BEES Academy for an introduction to athletics. For further details see: www.bandbhac.org.uk Cambridge Harriers Cambridge Harriers is a long established club which caters for athletes of all ages from 10 years upwards, competing in track and field athletics, cross-country running, road running, fell running and race walking. Training takes place at Sutcliffe Park Athletics Track, Eltham Road, SE9 5LW, on Tuesday and Thursday evenings and for cross country and road running, from the clubhouse in Bexley on Wednesday evenings and Sunday mornings. The Club has teams which compete in a number of different leagues and events, covering all age groups from juniors up to veterans. Whatever your athletic interest, Cambridge Harriers is able to offer and encourage participation in athletics. They have won numerous individual and team awards in County, Area and National events and some club members have gone on to represent their country in the Olympics with great success. For further details see: www.cambridgeharriers.org.uk