What We Do

Training

We run four club sessions each we; all with a specific theme and are supported by our club qualified coaches and run leaders.

Our coaches are: Ness Harrold and Gareth Jones. Our run leaders are: Andy Diplock, Lorraine Diplock, Gilly Nickols, Niki Marr, Fleur Blanford, and Steve Thompsett.

Monday

We are on our winter training schedule - Mondays are at Mill Road Car Park, Heathfield at 18:30

Remember: High Vis / Reflective Clothing and Torch

Our Monday sessions alternative between Waldron in Summer and Heathfield in Winter. 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.

Group pace & distance:

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

Tuesday

Cross Country sessions take place at 6pm. These sessions off variety

from our usual road running rounds. Beautiful location and stunning

views are guaranteed. Location and route shared in advance. But

you won't be disappointed.

Wednesday

Our Wednesday sessions alternative each week between road training and track training (2nd & 4th Wed of each month, excluding August). These sessions are for runners who want to improve, you are always in control of your own effort on a Wednesday session.

Each session is hosted by one of our coaches or run leaders.

Start Times

Track Sessions - 19:00 - car sharing is available and recommended.

Road Training - 18:30 -

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. There is a small fee for these track sessions of £4, these can be paid in advance via our shop page or payable on the day.

The on-street sessions are much more structured, 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.

Friday

Friday offer two different running opportunities for a more social run, offering two different pace sessions. All groups are supportive and no one is ever left behing.

6:00am - C/D pace

7:00am - A/B pace

Competing

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.

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.

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

Shop

Couch to 5km

This has a course fee of 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 2027/8 season.

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.

2027 coming soon

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 stressreliever 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.

Couch to 5km

Social Events

The club isn't only about running, though many of our social events do involve some running, or getting up in the middle of the night, or running at night, swimming or even... walking.

We place a great deal of emphasis on maintaining a friendly, and approachable club.

Check out our Social Events page for more details of fun events planned for this year.

The social side of club life is taken care of by Rachel Howard assisted by Gilly Nickols.

Social

Club Awards

Every Run Deserves Recognition!

Running is about so much more than times, distances and personal bests. It's about commitment, encouragement, progress and being part of something special.

At our club, we love celebrating the achievements of our members, whether that's a standout performance, a personal milestone, supporting fellow runners or simply going the extra mile.

From our Runner of the Month awards, recognising the fantastic contributions and achievements of our members throughout the year, to our much-anticipated Annual Awards Evening, there's plenty of opportunity to celebrate the people who make our club what it is.

We believe every achievement deserves its moment, and we love recognising the effort, dedication and community spirit that make our running club so special.

Run together. Achieve together. Celebrate together!