What We Do
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. 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
2026
Heathfield Runners 2026 Couch-to-5K (C25K) beginners’ course.
BEGINS MONDAY 13TH APRIL 2026.
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No previous running experience is needed. Our England Athletics qualified run leaders 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, please use the contact page. 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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This has a course fee of £40 which not only gives you 10 weeks of coached training to get you on your path to fitness but includes a waived membership fee for the 2026/7 season.
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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. After the course has been completed, 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 now have stocks of our new club kit featuring an improved material, new club colours and logo. Purchasing of vests and tees is available from the website store but if you require a top not is stock, please use the contact page for details on replenishment dates. Kit in the old colours, including the full range of items can still be individually purchased at Get Me Kitted
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Training
(We are on our winter training schedule - Mondays are at Mill Road Car Park at 18:30 - Wear Hi-Viz and bring a head torch.)
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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) and Gareth Jones.
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Our qualified /accredited run leaders are:
Andy Diplock, Lorraine Diplock, Maria Smith, Sharon Saunders, Niki Marr, Fleur Blanford, and Steve Thompsett.
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Monday sessions are group runs:
In summer we meet at Waldron Recreation Ground Car Park at 18:30 and in winter we will meet at Mill Road Car Park, also at 18:30.
We split into groups according to distance and you choose for yourself which group to run with. We aim for no more than 10 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 unless we are able to have more than one lead in that group. Don’t be afraid to run with a different group, they will not leave you behind. Just bring yourself and a smile.
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Group pace & distance:
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Group A - 40 to 60 mins & up to 3 miles
Group B - 60 mins & 3 - 4 miles
Group C - 60 mins & 4 - 5 miles
Group D - 60 mins & 5 - 6 miles​
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Monday
Groups are based on distance, as above. This session is a social / aerobic run where you will ideally be at a 2 /10 perceived effort, or fully conversational pace. Rather than have fast / slow groups, we aim to plan a route at the set distance and base it on keeping the group together. If you do decide you want to stretch your legs a bit, then we ask you to always loop to the back of the group.
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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 led by one of our Coaches / Leads. Car-sharing, a good way to get to know fellow clubmates, is encouraged for the journey to and from Eastbourne. Running on the track is for everyone and an excellent experience, it doesn't matter if you are new to running or a seasoned athlete, these sessions are safe and enjoyable. We operate a subsidised fee for these sessions, payable on the day or on our shop page.
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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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Other informal social runs are organised by club members themselves.