New Members’ Q&As
We are very active as a club and welcoming new members.
Interested in joining Eynsham Roadrunners?
Many members have only one regret – which is that they did not join earlier.
We are a friendly club that welcomes all runners of all abilities. We cater for the running novice right the way through to the seasoned marathon runner and all levels in between. Whether you are running to make friends, lose weight, keep fit or compete in races – we would love to hear from you.
Why join Eynsham Roadrunners?
The club has over 150 members and we’re always on the lookout for new ones.
By joining Eynsham Roadrunners you will become part of a community where great friendships are made and where we help and encourage each other to achieve our goals.
We welcome all new members to come along to one of our Wednesday evening sessions at 6.30pm at the Eynsham pavilion. This is our main club run of the week, where you will have the opportunity to meet all of us. It would be great if you could email us at eynsham.err@gmail.com to let us know that you will be coming along, so that we can introduce you to everyone and make you feel welcome.
As well as the Wednesday club run, we have regular speed work and hill sessions on a Tuesday evening to help keep your training varied and exciting. We are fortunate to have a qualified Coach in Running Fitness, Ian Keeley, who is only too keen for us to achieve our best. Ian runs training sessions for club members as well as offering advice on specific race training programmes. He will soon be supported by six Leaders in Running Fitness.
For those who want to race, we have a range of events from road races to cross country. Eynsham Roadrunners will be dotted everywhere in a race from the front start line to the back and anywhere in between! We are proud to cater for all your running goals – whether it’s achieving your first 5k, smashing your PBs, celebrating a podium place or running with others and discovering new routes in the lovely Oxfordshire countryside.
We have an active Facebook group where members can connect with others and share photos and top running tips. Our enthusiastic runners are always happy to share their knowledge. So if you have a burning question about which running shoes or sports watch to buy or how to improve your times, just ask.
We also share our new routes and running adventures on Strava – please sign up to ERR Strava to discover these and add your own.
I haven’t done much running before – is that a problem?
We recommend that to get the most out of our club runs, you should be able to jog continuously for at least 20-30 minutes. If you need a gentle start then consider completing our ‘couch to 5k’ course, You Can Run. Parkrun is another great place to start, and many Eynsham Roadrunners are regular runners and volunteers at the Harcourt Hill and Oxford parkruns. If you aren’t familiar with parkrun, it’s a free, timed 5k event which takes place at 9am every Saturday and welcomes runners and walkers of all abilities.
If you’ve just graduated from the couch to 5k or are already a keen parkrunner, then why not take the next step and join our club.
Can I try the club out before joining?
Of course! You are welcome to come along to the club for a few weeks to meet everyone and try things out before joining. After that time, if you would like to join, and we very much hope that you will, then we ask you to complete a membership form – see the membership pages for details.
What happens at the Wednesday Club sessions?
We have various groups running, all at different paces. There are options to loop back if you wish to do a shorter run.
We also have tea and coffee outside afterwards.
Do I come ready to run?
Yes. Most people do. The Wednesday club runs are held at the Eynsham pavilion where there are toilets that you can use.
The Tuesday speed and hill sessions take place at different locations (see below) and there are no changing facilities at these venues.
During the winter sessions, when we run around the village, we ask that you wear a high-vis top or a running light.
I am nervous about coming along for the first time on my own. Could I arrange to meet one of you so that we can go in together?
Of course! Just email us at eynsham.err@gmail.com in advance and we would be more than happy to meet you and find out more about you and introduce you to other members of the club.
I am worried that I might not be able to keep up – will I get left behind?
This won’t happen! We will have a chat with you and find out your running ability and place you with a group of the same ability. The group will run with you and you will not be left behind. We will also pair you up with a running buddy (if you wish) with similar abilities to assist you in the first four or so weeks.
I may not be able to make every Wednesday, is this a problem?
No. We will be glad to see you whenever you are able to make it.
And remember that some of our sessions like the speed and hill sessions take place on Tuesdays. We also have various informal groups who run on other days.
What happens at the Tuesday training sessions?
Our Summer speed sessions run every Tuesday from April to October. Runners meet at 6.30 by the roundabout at the junction of Witney Road/Chilbridge Road before jogging to the far end of Chilbridge Road by way of warm-up.
The sessions vary from week to week, but are structured to encourage improvement in form and technique and improve speed. The sessions are fully inclusive and designed for all speeds and abilities. The idea is to improve your speed and not to dishearten you by asking you to chase someone you can’t catch!
During the Winter season (November to March) training alternates weekly between speed sessions (now under the street lights of Hazeldene Close in Eynsham, starting at 6.30pm) and hill sessions by lantern light in the lovely Wytham Woods. We meet in the barn by the main carpark in Wytham (OX2 8QQ) at 6.30pm. Bring a head torch. The programme is challenging but varied and rewarding – and you might even spot a badger or hear a Tawny Owl…
It is probably a good idea to try a few Wednesday sessions before you try a Tuesday speed or hill session as you will feel more comfortable running with people you know.
Can I still become a member even if I don’t live in Eynsham?
Of course! We have members who live in Aston, Botley, Cassington, Charlbury, Cumnor, Freeland and Witney and we actively encourage lift sharing to club events and local races. We’d love to welcome more members from those areas and Hanborough and North Leigh and other surrounding villages and towns too.
Can my children join?
Yes. As a club we welcome families and junior members as part of the family membership. However, please note that at the moment we do not have a youth structure within our club. This means that parents need to run with their children at club nights. Children are very welcome to run in the junior sections of the winter cross country series, but need to travel with and be accompanied by their parents.
Do Eynsham Roadrunners have social events?
Yes, lots! We have a very active Social Committee who organise a fantastic range of social events throughout the year. In recent times we have been kayaking on the River Thames, fine dining at the Upton Smokery, barn dancing in the Village Hall, pub crawling around Eynsham and Oxford… and not forgetting our annual Christmas party.
I am a keen runner – do Eynsham Roadrunners take part in races?
Absolutely. The club competes in the Oxfordshire Cross Country series, the County Championship events and the Grand Prix events. See Races and Competitions to find out more.
As a competing member of Eynsham Roadrunners you will receive a discount on race entrance fees.
We have our own Club Championship which consists of 15 races with your score from the best 8 counting. There are races within this to suit everyone, ranging from 3 miles to 15 miles. Prizes and certificates are awarded at the annual presentation for those completing at least 8 races. There are also trophies for the winners in each age category.
We also have the Motavation Most-Improved Championships which recognises the most improved runners in a series of 5 races in the summer months, each of around 4 miles.
We also have the hotly contested Witney versus Eynsham challenge every summer.
Can I join two clubs?
Yes. If you are already a member of one club this will be your first claim club. If you then join another club, that will be your second claim club. You can race for either club.
Can I run the Eynsham 10k?
Yes. All new members have the opportunity to run the Eynsham 10k in their first year with the club. After this, members are asked to help out with the race, which takes place on the last Sunday in November.
How much does it cost to join?
Membership fees are agreed on at the AGM in January every year – see how to pay your membership for more information, including how to pay. Membership fees include England Athletics affiliation (for those who want to compete), which gives you discounted entry to all races in England. New members also pay a one-off joining fee in addition to the membership fee, which entitles you to a free Eynsham Roadrunners running vest or T-shirt. And don’t forget, ERR members get 10% off at Fit 2 Run and Up and Running!
Sounds great! When can I start?
Please email us at eynsham.err@gmail.com so that we know to look out for you on the Wednesday club night and can welcome you to our club. Most runners try us out for a few weeks before we ask you to commit to joining (see our membership page to find out how).
We look forward to welcoming you to our club!
“One day or day one? You decide.”
