International Association of Ultra Runners
Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS) - 10km, half marathons, marathons and above
Association of Running Clubs - non stadium disciplines only
UK Athletics - clubs with both running and track & field
UK Trail Running Association
Fell Runners Association lists 400 clubs involved with fell running
http://www.runningdiary.co.uk has details of thousands of runner’s events can include free RSS feed of events.
Runners World has a wealth of material, including good beginner’s articles
UK Running Track Directory This website lists running tracks in the UK
Want to try a sport that you can do anywhere, builds your fitness and endurance and needs little equipment?
People have many good reasons for running: improving general fitness and enjoyment, as a competition sport, or to train for other sports involving running or endurance. You can run almost anywhere, and all year round.
Competitive running – whether running from people or wild animals - have existed for most of human history. Nowadays, running races are grouped by course length and the type of running. Each needs different strengths, tactics, and training methods.
This page focuses on non-Olympic running; for Olympic track and field events, please go to the Athletics page under Sports.
take part? just you | small group | with family
where? outside
energy/fitness level? full on
sociability? can talk some of the time
disability access*? limited | ok with help
can be played? competitively | as friends
contact sport? non-contact
try it cost? low
play it cost? low
* Individual circumstances vary hugely, and this affects participation in any sport. This guide is necessarily general in nature and may not suit your situation.
Running is a high impact sport and injuries are common. Injuries include “runner’s knee” (pain in the knee), shin splints, pulled muscles (especially the hamstring), “jogger’s nipple” (irritation of the nipple due to friction), twisted ankles, tendinitis and stress fractures. It helps to warm up beforehand, wear proper running shoes, improve fitness, eat a balanced diet, get enough rest and apply ice to sore muscles.
When running outside, take special care of personal safety: run with a partner, don’t wear headphones and look out for traffic. See also 10 Running Do’s and Don’ts on Runner’s World.
Going to give running a go? Great!
Be sure to check with your doctor first if you are over 40, are overweight, or have a heart- or other medical-condition.
It’s a good idea to join your local running or athletics club, for advice and assistance. They are all over the country, and probably there’s one close by. The Association of Running Clubs lists 124 running clubs. Go to UK Athletics’ list of running, jogging and marathon clubs and enter your location in the Keywords field to list your local clubs. Also see ‘More Information’ on the right and the getting started page.
Alternatively, find a friend who is already doing it, read The Total Beginner’s Quick Guide To Running and other guides on Runner’s World, buy some good running shoes – not ‘trainers’ – and get started by walking regularly, for 10 to 30 minutes. When comfortable with that level, break into a run for one or two minutes during your walks, and slowly build up more running and less walk.
If you have no safe and convenient running route, try running on a treadmill. This is safer, can be less jarring and is in the warm and dry – but is more expensive and can be boring.
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