Winter 2024 Roundup and News

It’s been a long old January but things are already moving at a good pace with grand plans for 2024.

First and foremost, bon voyage to Jodie, and safe travels, we’ll miss the positivity and energy you brought to the group.  Welcome back Laura – I’m sure arriving in mid-winter is pretty rubbish but we’re happy to have our favourite cheerleader back!  It’s also been great to see some faces back running with us after a period away - this group prides itself on being here when you need us. 

Secondly, for those that don’t know Laura completed her Run Leader training back in October and Kerry completed her training in January, and I’m pleased to announce both have successfully qualified taking our Run Leader team to 5! Laura will be supporting our Couch to 5k groups and run sessions and Kerry will continue as a Mental Health Champion and taking the lead on the development of our walking group.  Both are also heavily involved in the group development too, working as part of our socials and events teams, so I hope you will join me in welcoming both into their new roles - it’s wonderful to have them in the team. 

Tony, our Run Helper, is in the wings to do his leader training next and Sally has kindly stepped into a Run Helper role supporting our couch to 5k group and regular runners.  Thank you Tony and Sally, we're all grateful for your time and encouragement. 

If anyone is interested in training to be a Run Leader in the future (training required) or being a Group Helper (no training required – just a desire to support the group runners), please let me know. 

 Run updates

Tuesday Runners, led by Hannah and Carolyn, continues for experienced runners who regularly run between 5 and 10k.  Despite the increased pace and distance, this is still a social run, as are all our runs.

Thursday Run night will be back to normal from this coming week, Thursday 8th February with a regular capacity of 24 runners but if and when we only have one run leader this will be capped to a capacity of 12 runners.

***Please note: Tuesday and Thursday run nights will now be meeting in the Coach Park next door to Sainsbury's car park from Tuesday 6th February***

The next RunTogether Canterbury Wanderers walk date is to be confirmed but is likely to start up again in April.

The next RunTogether Trailblazers Run date is to be confirmed but is also likely to be in Spring.

Speedplay will be back with the lighter evenings and suitable for runners of every ability so watch this space for dates.

Saturday morning Blean 5k trail run on the last Saturday of the month is still running and great fun.  Again everyone is welcome and dates for February and March are available for booking.

Quarterly TOP TIPS

Booking and cancelling a run - All runs can be booked and cancelled via the website or the RunTogether Runner app.  To cancel a run using the website click on your profile and ‘my booked runs’. To cancel using the app, click on ‘my schedule’ and select the run you want to cancel.

Slack notifications – Please make sure your 'Announcements'  channel notifications are switched to ‘send a notification for all new messages’  so that you get notified of anything last minute, a run cancellation for example.  For all other channels, please feel free to edit your notification settings to suit you.

Social events (Kerry, Carolyn and Laura)

There are no social events in the diary right now but join the slack channel #rtc-social-events to be first to find out about our next non running social event.

Upcoming Running Events

Join #rtc-events-and-races on slack to hear about events and races your fellow runners are taking part in.

Smugglers 10k, 17th March, Minnis Bay, Kent Smugglers 10k (sportingeventsuk.com)

This is an excellent event that lots of us have run in the past, if you are interested let your run leaders know and they will be able to answer your questions – I am sure we will have a few entrants in the group.

10 Bay Challenge, 28th April, Margate, Kent 10 Bay Challenge, Sunday 28th April 2024 (sportingeventsuk.com) 

There are two options to choose from in this event, the full 10Bay Challenge, which is approximately 15 miles, or the shorter 4Bay 10k.  I think there will be a few from the group booking so let your Run Leaders know if you’re interested.

Parkrun

Next parkrun is Canterbury parkrun at University of Kent on Saturday 10th February, meeting 8.30 for a 9 am start.  All welcome whether running, walking, jeffing or volunteering. Join #rtc-parkrunners for all things parkrun related or feel free to chat with Tony if you have any questions.

Couch to 5k

Our lovely and rather large group of Couch to 5k group are storming through the programme with a real sense of commitment and determination.  They will be doing their 5k challenge run on Sunday 10th March at 9.30.  If you would like to join the run and support them in completing this challenge, let me know, the more the merrier.

Developers Group

Everyone is welcome to join the developers' group but it's probably worth just assuring you that there is no obligation to take on a responsibility, it's more about sharing ideas and feedback with the purpose of improvement and positive development of our group.  The minutes of the last meeting are on the #rtc-developers-group slack channel for anyone to look at.  Next meeting is on Wednesday 15th May, 7pm, at the Curzon Riverside cinema.

RunTogether Canterbury Kit

Our online kit shop is available at Local Print Pros.

Please double-check the sizing for every item you are thinking of buying as large in ladies is not the same as large in unisex and make sure you read the returns policy before ordering.   Several of us have bought kit so we’re happy to recommend you if you aren’t sure about the kit/sizing etc.  The jacket option is being reviewed so hold fire if you want a jacket.

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

Runner information

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

Google reviews please!

If you get a moment or two, please review the group on Google.  Reviews help others to get a better picture of what our group is about and whether it would suit them.

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 Running Group

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. 

RunTogether Canterbury (Emily Mickleburgh T/A)

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