Autumn 2023 Roundup 

Summer is officially behind us and what a crazy turn in weather we’ve had recently. It's definitely time for the high viz, charging run lights and changing batteries in head torches to stay safe and be seen.  

First of all huge congratulations to our Run Leader Carolyn on her marriage to Jack last month – we wish you every happiness together. 

Further congratulations to the many of you who have achieved huge running goals these last few months whether they be parkrun milestones, marathon finishes, new distance goals smashed or just maintaining another year of running health and fitness - we’re proud of you.  

For those not running for various reasons, you know where we are. You are still welcome to chat and stay in touch even if you are battling injury, busy with new jobs or new babies, or just struggling to fit running into your life right now. Don’t be a stranger, say hi on #rtc-chat-questions-queries :-) 

Run updates 

Thursday run night remains as normal.

*NEW * Tuesday run night

Run Leader Carolyn is now leading a new run night for experienced runners who regularly run between 5 and 10k on a Tuesday night.  This is a social run, as are all of our runs, but it's not suited to beginners due to the increased pace and distance.  

Next RunTogether Wanderers (walking group) is to be confirmed.  

Next RunTogether Trailblazers run is to be confirmed.  

Speedplay is back up and running with new dates on the website and RunTogether Runner App, be aware we have added a new location. 

Socials events 

I’m very excited to announce that we have a newish group on slack for social events that don’t require trainers! We are a very social group on our run nights and I love this but following a couple of post run chats I realised how important it is to connect with others that you may not always run with due to pace or fitness.  As such the wonderful Laura, Carolyn and Kerry arranged our first social at Whitstable Beach a few months ago which was a lovely afternoon and will definitely be repeated again next year. Keep up to date by joining the #rtc-social-events channel on slack 

Social dates for the diary 

Quiz night. Tyler Hill Memorial Hall, Saturday 18th November at 6.30 for 7pm start.  

Tables of 8 available but you are more than welcome to join an RTC table if you can't make a team of 8. £5 entry and raffle tickets available to buy on the night at £1 per strip. Money on the door is going straight to the group to pay for Kerry, Carolyn and Tony to be trained to be run leaders and raffle ticket money will go towards the Running for Rebecca fundraiser. (#temporary-channel-quiz-night channel on slack if you have any questions) 

Christmas party. Prezzo, Friday 8th December 19.00 and afterwards in town for drinks. We have 2 spaces remaining but if more would like to join us, I will speak to the venue to see if we can increase the booking. I will keep an eye on it but let me know if you are unable to book due to it being full. (#temporary-channel-christmas-party-2023 channel on slack if you have any questions) 

If you haven’t already booked, please do using the link https://www.prezzo.co.uk/choose-your-dining-experience?bookingId=186e232f-72d3-46c3-853c-5248a6cf0e35&bookingReference=E10Z849388804351&guest=true.  

Upcoming Running Events 

To continue the Christmas theme... 

Santas on the Run! 2023 for Pilgrims Hospice, Herne Bay. 3k, 5k and 10k, Sunday 10th December. Check in opens at 9.30 for 11am start. (#temporary-channel-santas-on-the-run channel on slack if you have any questions). 

The event organisers tell us... 

‘You’ll enjoy festive music to get you into the ho, ho holiday spirit as you prepare for your seafront Santa run. Then, you’ll be cheered on and jingled all the way by our Christmas cheer stations! 

Santas on the Run! is an event for everyone. So, gather your friends, family, colleagues, or neighbours and step into Christmas with Kent’s biggest Santa run!’ 

Book at Santas on the Run! 2023 - Pilgrims Hospices 

Canterbury 10, Canterbury, Sunday 21st January, 9.00am 

You’ll have great support in this event which heads out of Canterbury towards Bridge and Bekesbourne. It’s a great course, I’ve done it and this year they have new bespoke medals and all competitors will be eligible for free photographic downloads. (If you aren’t planning to run join our volunteer team and help our by manning a waterstation (see more details below), you’ll have a front row seat to cheer on our RTC competitors!

Book at Canterbury 10 

Parkrun 

Next parkrun is Whitstable parkrun on Saturday 11th November, meeting 8.30 for a 9am start and this is a BIG ONE! It’ll be Tony’s 100th parkrun celebration! All welcome to join his parkrun celebration.  

Join the #rtc-parkrunners for all things parkrun related. 

Couch to 5k 

Dates for the 2024 Couch to 5k are due to be released in the next week or so. We will be running it alongside our Thursday night run and on Sunday mornings with participants only having to run one run on their own each week. If you know anyone who might be interested, please prime them and as soon as the dates are live I will let you know.  

I will be looking for volunteers to help out on a Sunday morning in January or February (or Saturday 20th January) to impart your positive running wisdom to the new runners and support their progress. It’s a lovely thing to do and those who have helped out in the past have really enjoyed it so join the #couch-to-5k-2024 slack channel and let me know when you'd like to come along.  

Canterbury 10 – Volunteer Team 

Good news and bad news. Good news is we are definitely needed for the Canterbury 10 event on Sunday 21st January and will be looking for a team of volunteers to man the water stations again. Bad news is that Mum and I can’t make it, we’re at my Brother-in-Laws 50th in Gloucestershire! We need some people who have done it before to help any new volunteers and will need someone to take the lead and manage our volunteer team. I have let Nikki (Invicta East Kent) know about the situation and prepared her that we may only be able to man one station, but it’d be great if we could get a group together. I will set up a slack channel tonight and anyone that would like to put themselves forward as a water station manager or a volunteer please let us know. #temporary-channel-canterbury-10 

Developers group 

Thank you to those who attended the Developers meeting last month.  Lots of discussions were had about the group, it’s organisation and future plans.  It was great to have lots of positive feedback and reassuring to know that people are happy with the way things are running and interested in getting more involved.  The group is getting bigger now and safety is a priority so there will be some minor changes, but this is for the greater good and hopefully you will barely notice.  The minutes of the meeting are on the #rtc-developers-group slack channel for anyone to look at.  

RunTogether Canterbury Kit 

Our online kit shop is coming together nicely thanks to MySportsandMore. 

Please do double check the sizing for every item you are thinking of buying as large in ladies is not the same as large in unisex. Please make sure you read the returns policy before ordering.  Click this link for the website, in the menu select ‘Team kits’ and scroll down to ‘RunTogether Canterbury’ to peruse our new kit selection https://mysportsandmore.com/.  A number of us have bought kit so we’re happy to recommend you if you aren’t sure about kit/sizing etc. 

A couple of people have asked about customising their kit with their names – I am more than happy for you to do this, You can probably either contact the company at the time of production or take your already delivered item into a local print firm in Canterbury (I recommend Print Matters) to get it printed with your name, nickname, initials of whatever else you fancy. 

Runner information 

Please do refresh yourself with the Runners information page on the website. https://clubspark.englandathletics.org/RunTogetherCanterbury/RunnerInfo 

Google reviews please! 

If you haven’t already, please review the group on google when you have a few minutes.  It really helps others to get a better picture about what our group is about and whether it would suit them, so your opinions are valid and helpful.  Thank you in advance! 

https://g.page/r/CQAmgzD-y5SREAI/review 

As always if you want to contact me, please do, via slack, WhatsApp or give me a call 😊 

Emily 07770 479589 

Donate to our RunTogether Canterbury  Bank Account

We welcome any voluntary donations towards our running group. Donations contribute towards the training of run leaders to keep our running group operational and safe. Thank you.  

Emily Mickleburgh 

Sort code 60-83-71 

Account number a/c 15109551