Winter 2025 Roundup and News

If this is the first roundup you have received, then welcome to Emily’s quarterly (ish) ramblings celebrating all things RunTogether Canterbury.  If you have received our round-up before then you know the drill: grab a tea and (* insert biscuit of choice) and enjoy.

It's been a brilliant winter with lots of maintenance running, new faces joining us, Christmas celebrations, collaborations, festive runs, Birthday celebrations, another fabulous couch to 5k group graduating the programme and some of our braver members taking on some winter events.  We have had a great season in terms of generating funds for the group, gaining enough through donations and events to pay for three new run leaders. Thank you to everyone who has helped this to happen; your support and generosity are truly appreciated.  Watch this space, we’ll be formally introducing our fab new run leaders soon.

*** Not run with us for a while? Not feeling 5k fit?  We have you covered!!! Don't miss news about Kerry's NEW JEFFING GROUP.  See run updates below. ***

Upcoming Running and Walking Events

Keep your eye out for events and races that members of our community are sharing on the #rtc-events-and-races channel on slack.

Couch to 5k Celebration Run – Saturday 15th March 8.30am.

Everyone is invited to join our courageous couch to 5k group, who will be running their first 5k run at the Whitstable parkrun on Tankerton Slopes. We want to invite everyone to come and run and cheer them through the finish or run alongside them and support them to that finishing funnel. However you choose to support them, please do come along and share in their success.

Bushy parkrun road trip – Saturday 17th May (very early)

To celebrate the group's 4th Birthday this year, we are taking a coach to London to the Bushy parkrun. Bushy parkrun was the very first parkrun in the world, founded in October 2004.  Since then, 2,500 parkruns have been set up in 23 countries around the world, with the same philosophy that parkrun is for people to be active together, outdoors and take part however they like.  So, whether you are running, walking or jeffing with us, keep an eye on slack or contact me, Emily, and let me know. Tony is organising and will be issuing information on how to book soon.

Wingham 5.4 and 10k (annual RTC team event) – Sunday 14th September 2025, 10 am start, 9 am meet time.

Several members have already booked this brilliant event again for 2025, it’s a really lovely rural road route with lovely views, marshals and water stations along the way.  It is a Sporting Events UK event and is bookable through their website.  Members will be running and jeffing both distances so don’t be shy and book yourself in!

Upcoming social events

Keep your eye out for news of our non-running social events by following the #rtc-social-events channel on slack.

RunTogether Canterbury's 4th Birthday party social – May - details to be confirmed.

RunTogether Canterbury's family RH&D railway trip and beach social – August – details to be confirmed.

Run roundups

Monday Intervals (formally known as Speedplay) – managing run leaders Carolyn and Emily with run helper support. (#rtc-intervals-group)

You may have seen that our Speedplay sessions paused over the Summer – this was for Carolyn and I to have a break and a reset but we are back and restarting this year’s intervals and hills sessions on Monday 4th April from the Oaks Nursery Car park for a bit of Crab and Winkle hill running at 6.30 pm.  Thereafter, we will be leading sessions every Monday, alternating between this location and the Pilgrims Way location, meeting just before the track where Barton Road meets Pilgrims Way.  Bookable now. Join the #rtc-intervals-group on slack for up-to-date information nearer the relaunch.

Tuesday run night – managing run leader Hannah (and Carolyn during school holidays), and run helper support (#rtc-tuesday-runners)

This social run is for the speedier runners amongst us (5.30 per km) who also like a longer distance (7 – 10k).  Hannah is leading this herself during term time and is not able to provide regular sessions every week, so keep an eye on the runs this week posts or the app to see when they are being offered.  As soon as she knows she is available, she will list a bookable run, and you’ll know by the Sunday before.  This session has been as popular as ever for those who like to run a little further and faster, so we will continue to provide it as much as possible.   This session is not suited to beginners due to the increased pace and distance.  If you have any questions, join #rtc-tuesday-runners on slack.

Thursday social run night – NEW TIME 6.30PM FROM THURSDAY 20TH MARCH – managing run leaders Emily, Hannah, Carolyn, Laura and Tony, with run helper support. (#rtc-thursday-run-night)

We are already enjoying the lighter evenings and looking forward to April and getting back into the woods for our alternate Thursday night runs.  You will soon see the locations change on the website and app when you book your Thursday social run.  We lead alternate weeks in Blean woods for a trail run and Sainsburys for our City loop.  If you have any questions, direct them to the #rtc-Thursday-run-night slack channel.  Bookable now.

NEW!!!!!  Thursday social jeffing night - STARTING THURSDAY 20TH MARCH AT 6.15 PM – managing run leader Kerry, with run leader/helper support.  (JOIN OUR NEW #rtc-jeffing-group ON SLACK)

In March, we are bringing Jeffing to RunTogether Canterbury.  This is a new group which will join our Thursday night Social Run.  Jeffing offers a different way of movement by adopting the Jeff Galloway approach to running.  Jeffing is a run/walk method that is good to help reduce and keep injuries at bay, keep the heart rate down whilst still building fitness, gain strength, promote faster recovery and reduce fatigue during running. 

Our group will use the run/walk method to complete a run using the ratio of 30/30, which means we will run for 30 seconds and then walk for 30 seconds continuously to complete a run.  There is a simple technique to this which will be explained to anyone new to the group.  The run/walk transitions will be indicated by a timer being used by the Run Leader.  As the group develops, we will look to explore other ratios for Jeffing.

The group is suitable for runners who are new to running after completing the Couch to 5k, runners coming back after injury, those with existing injuries, runners who need a change of pace and runners who want to try something different.

This will not be a fast-paced group, the Run Leader for this group will lead from the rear of the group and the session will be paced according to the needs at the rear of the group.  There may be times when we may have multiple Run Leaders available and can accommodate a mix of paces or group participants are welcome to loop back if they are of a little faster pace.  Bookable now.

Kerry, our Run Leader for the Jeffing group, says, "I am delighted for the opportunity to bring Jeffing to RunTogether Canterbury and to join our social run group.  I am looking forward to welcoming our members to our Jeffing group and seeing this group grow and develop."

Wanderers Walking Group – managing leaders Kerry and Emily, and walk helper Theresa. (#rtc-wanderers)

Our Wanderers walks of 2025 have begun, and our 2nd walk will be at the end of the month, then the beginning of May and the beginning of June.  Dates will then resume on the last Sunday of the month for the latter half of the year.  These walks are open to everyone and always end with cake so what’s not to love? Join one and enjoy the slower pace and a change of scenery, and meet our core and regular wanderers – they are a lovely bunch. Bookable now.

Trailblazers – managing leader Hannah, with run leader and run helper support. (#rtc-trailblazers)

Hannah will continue to arrange these weekend 5 – 10 mile runs as and when her diary allows throughout the summer.  These runs are popular with the distance runners amongst us and are, as with all our sessions, very social and treated as such, with the pace staying slow and steady and allowing for plenty of opportunities to enjoy the route, take photos, stop and have a drink. The runs tend to finish at a pub for a drink and bowl of chips or ice cream shop and often include a trip on the bus or train at the beginning of end of the run to get to the start point or get home.

parkrun – managing group helper Tony. (#rtc-parkrunners)

We know that many of you are huge parkrun fans, but there is no bigger fan than Tony.  Tony is a parkrun tourist aficionado, and if you have any parkrun questions, he is your man. 

For those who are new to parkrun, do get in touch with Tony on slack, and he will talk you through registering.  We try to join a local parkrun as a group at least once a month for a regular timed 5k opportunity.  You can run it or walk it; it's completely free, and the runs are held every Saturday morning nationwide.  Tony lists the parkruns we are attending as a group on the website and app, so take a look and come along.  Bookable now for Whitstable on 15th March, Dover on April 12th and Bushy parkrun in Teddington, London on 17th May (the 17th May trip is bookable but will be chargeable to cover the coach, Tony will be in touch with everyone booked very soon to collect payment)

Easy Saturday trail run – managing run leader Emily. (#rtc-saturday-blean-trail-runners)

These easy-paced, relaxed 5k trail runs take place up at Blean, mixing up the routes a little as we fancy on the day.  The run takes place on the last Saturday morning of the month as often as Emily can lead them (her son’s trumpet lessons to interfere with this from time to time). Runs will start again in March.  Bookable now.

Mental Health Champions update – Ginny and Kerry

If you find the winter months a bit more challenging from a wellbeing perspective then you’re not alone. The colder weather and darker evenings can make it more difficult to get out and about and do some of the things that help keep our mind and body well. Fortunately, many of us were able to benefit from regular social runs with the group. Even on a cold, dark evening, a blast around the city chatting with pals was a pleasure. This year many of us attended the inaugural ‘Mental Elf’ 5k supporting East Kent Mind and getting into festive spirit. It was brilliant to see so many friendly faces there - many from Run Together Canterbury but also from the local community. We also enjoyed some winter Parkruns with the New Year’s Day one being particularly memorable for the head wind which was surprisingly invigorating! In February, we marked Time to Talk day with a pre run chat from Emily about stress and the importance of looking after ourselves, followed by our social runs with the opportunity to talk with each other.It feels as though we are almost through those winter months now. Some people might notice feeling brighter in mood as we get a little more sunshine! However, whilst changes in feelings of wellbeing throughout the year are entirely normal, if you find yourself struggling at any time of the year, please do reach out. Your mental health champions and run leaders are here to support you.

Our Mental Health Champions and RTC team hold a list of support services in our area. Please speak to any of our run leaders or mental health champions in confidence if you need support.  We are unable to treat any mental health conditions, but we can signpost you and support you to get any help or support you need and are always happy to listen. There are also support services listed on the website under the Mental Health tab. Please do contact NHS 111 and select option 2 for Mental health support or 999 in an emergency.

Annual volunteer committee meeting

We are keen to make sure that our members are involved in shaping the group, so I thought I’d catch you up with who’s who and what’s what in RunTogether Canterbury and invite you to be part of it.  Last year, we became an Unincorporated Association, with Kerry being our Secretary, Sally taking the Treasurer position (with she and I as signatories), and myself, Kerry, Tony, Carolyn, Hannah and Laura as Run Leaders. 

If you would like to be involved and part of the volunteer committee (previously the Development Group), your commitment to this would include attending 1 meeting a year (possibly 2) and being part of the private rtc-volunteer-committee channel to contribute your vote when we make decisions. If you are interested, do come along to our next volunteer committee meeting on Wednesday 23rd April, 7 pm, Curzon Riverside Café and see if this is something you would like to be a part of – you do not become committed by coming along.

RunTogether Canterbury Kit

Running clothes are a very personal choice.  We have a group kit but you are under no obligations to buy kit.  If however you would like to our kit supplier, Print Matters, who, recently moved to their new premises at Unit 9 City Business Park, Canterbury, CT1 1DX (near Asda) will be happy to help you.   We have a catalogue which I try to keep a copy of in my car, and we have an online catalogue that you can view at RTC Kit Catalogue.  If you have any specific questions or requirements, Chloe, our contact there, has all the details and will be happy to help you, call her on 01227 765031.  You are completely free to personalise your kit and choose other colours if available.

Fantastic fundraisers

Jessica Snell is running the London Marathon for Mind and not only that, she will be funning whilst singing Karaoke. Find her fundraising page here.

One of our past runners, Ryan, who many of you will remember and follow, is also running the London marathon for ‘Forward - Rebuilding Lives: A fund for those battling addiction’.  Find his fundraising page here.

Dorian is running 10k at the Margate Race for Life for Cancer Research.  You can find his fundraising page here.

If you would like your fundraiser shared here next time, please let Emily know.

Runner information

Please do refresh yourself with the Runners information page on the website.

Google reviews please!

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

I would like to thank all the Run Leaders and helpers for their time and effort in continuing to provide what can only be described as a fantastic variety of runs and walks. I hope I speak for everyone when I say we are all very grateful to you.

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

Emily 07770 479589