What We Do
Few new members of Heathfield Road Runners expect to end up racing when they join the club. But many (most) end up doing so and say that they love it. Racing, and the training that goes with it, is a great way to improve your running and makes for lots of memories. And there's bling; shiny medals. Members take part in a wide variety of events ranging from parkruns, 10km races, short relay races, half-marathons, marathons, to ultra-marathons. All standards of runners are very welcome at nearly every race, we positively encourage racing because it will make you a better runner.
Couch to 5km
2025
Heathfield Runners 2025 FREE Couch-to-5K (C25K) beginners’ course.
Details of a start date for this years group to follow....
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No previous running experience is needed. Our England Athletics qualified run leaders, David Westworth and Niki Marr, will take you from zero to 5k hero in 10 weeks. Taking on the challenge of a Couch to 5K has several health benefits and can help boost your confidence and self-belief, as you prove to yourself that you can set yourself a target and achieve a goal. Running regularly can also be a great stress reliever and has even been shown to combat depression. If you are interested and would like more information, just PM David Westworth (club treasurer). Previous participants are pictured in the gallery and many of them regularly run with the club now and have completed 10k's and half marathon races.
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What does it involve?
Taking up running can sound scary if you don’t feel you are fit enough, or have had a long break from running, but you will be amazed at what you can achieve. We follow the NHS Couch to 5K programme which will help you gradually work up to running 5km in just 10 weeks. It involves running three times a week, with rest days in between, and a different schedule each week to gradually build your fitness. It starts with a mixture of running and walking on the new running track at Horam which gives a safe, smooth surface, away from busy roads, and will gradually build up to runs along the Cuckoo Trail. The final session will be a 5K run along the sea front at Eastbourne. Everyone who completes the course will receive a medal and we will celebrate with a fish and chip supper on the beach.
Competing
Few new members of Heathfield Runners expect to end up racing when they join the club. But many (most) end up doing so and say that they love it. Racing, and the training that goes with it, is a great way to improve your running and makes for lots of memories. And there's bling; shiny medals.
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Members take part in a wide variety of events ranging from parkruns, 10km races, short relay races, half-marathons, marathons, to ultra-marathons. All standards of runners are very welcome at nearly every race, we positively encourage racing because it will make you a better runner.
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Race and Team Kit
We will soon have stocks of our new club kit featuring an improved material, new club colours and logo. Details of how to purchase will be given in mid-February 2025. Current kit including the full range of items can still be individually purchased at Get Me Kitted
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Training
(We are currently on our Winter training schedule. This will change when the clocks change back to BST.)
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We run together and train on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
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Our qualified/accredited/licensed coaches are:
Vanessa Harrold (Ness), Gareth Jones & Graham Chapman.
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Our qualified /accredited run leaders are:
Edward Diplock, Andy Diplock, Lorraine Diplock, Maria Smith, Sharon Saunders, Niki Marr, Fleur Blanford, and Andrew Titmuss.
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Monday sessions are group runs:
In winter we meet normally meet at Mill Road Car Park at 18:30. We split into groups according to pace and distance and you choose for yourself which group to run with. We aim for no more than a dozen people in any one group so sometimes there may be more than one group of a particular level or it may be necessary to ask people to volunteer to change groups. Don’t be afraid to run with a faster group, they will not leave you behind. Just bring yourself and a smile.
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Group pace & distance:
Group A 13/14 min/mile (7:27/8:05 min/km) pace for 3-4 miles
Group B 11/12 min/mile (7:30/6:50 min/km) pace for 4-5 miles
Group C 9/10 min/mile (5:36/6:13 min/km) pace for 5-6 miles
Group D 7/9 min/mile (4:21/5:36 min/km) pace for 5-8 miles
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So remember Group A is our easiest paced group and Group D is our fastest paced group.
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Monday run leaders mix things up quite a bit so don’t assume that just because they led group A last week they will be leading that group this week, or you may find yourself unexpectedly in faster group! Always ask and don’t forget to sign in.
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Emphasis in all groups is on social steady running at a pace where you can have a conversation with another runner. Though the chatting may stop on the hills, which are unavoidable in and around Heathfield. We encourage each other and fast group members will stop and let the tail catch-up and get their breath back. No one is ever left behind.
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Wednesday sessions alternate each week between road training and track training. Whilst the emphasis changes slightly from social running to sociable training we are still out to have fun. These sessions are for runners who want to improve yet you are always in control of your own effort on a Wednesday session. We alternate between training on the track at Eastbourne or training on the streets of town in what we call “Evil Eddie” sessions. Car-sharing, a good way to get to know fellow clubmates, is encouraged for the journey to and from Eastbourne and running on the track is for everyone and an excellent experience.
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The on-street sessions are much more structured than a Monday night run, and may involve interval running, fartleks, Kenyan hills, hill repeats to name but a few of the fun and games. They will make you a better, stronger runner, and you’ll get to challenge yourself and release some of your untapped potential.
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Friday at 6:00am and 7:00am
Two groups, often, but not always, departing from Mill Road and running at a social pace. The seven am group is generally A/B pace whilst the the the six am is more C/D. All groups gather to allow the tail to catch up and no one is left behind.
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We hope to (re)introduce an official social Friday mid-morning running group soon.
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Other informal social runs are organised by club members themselves.