Running for Beginners
Join our popular "Beginners Course" - 10 Weeks to 10K!
The 10-week course has been developed over the last 10 years by our experienced coaching team with the aim of introducing you to running in a safe and enjoyable way.
We start with some gentle walk/jog sessions, and by the end you will be able to run 10 kilometres. Along the way we give you advice on footwear, nutrition and clothing and teach you stretches to help you stay injury free.
Dates for the 2027 course will be available later in the year but is likely to start in April 2027
The course is based at the clubhouse at Beldams Lane, and uses the Club field as well as local off-road tracks
Is this course for me?
Yes! The course is suitable for absolute beginners, for those who have not run for a number of years or those who might have completed a Couch to 5k course, and want to progress their running in a social environment under the guidance of experienced England Athletics Qualified Coaches.
If you can power walk for 30 min to 1 hour, and can jog for a minute without stopping then you are ready to start the course. The session steps up distance and time each week and you need to be able to go out and practice running 3-4 times every week so that you are ready for the next session.
If you can already comfortably run 10k, then you may prefer to join the Club here and attend our regular coached training sessions and club social runs.
What is included, and how much does it cost?
- The full 10 week beginners course, professionally coached by UK Athletics qualified coaches
- Presentations by experts on a wide range or running topics
- Full membership of the Club until the end of the following March
- Access to all of the Club events and regular coaching sessions
- Guided Wednesday runs during the Summer months on local tracks towards Hatfield Forest
- A "10 Weeks to 10K" technical t-shirt
- Clubhouse bar and meal at very reasonable prices after each beginnners session
What do I need to wear?
You don’t need lots of kit to start running, but it’s important that you’re comfortable in what you’re wearing. You don’t need special running shoes to get started; you won’t be running long distances just yet.
Kit advice is given during the course information sessions.
Who leads the course?
All coaching is under the supervision of England Athletics qualified running coaches/leaders who plan and run these sessions.
Many of these coaches originally joined the Club via a Beginners course, and so have personal experience of what it takes to complete the course successfully.
How do I sign up?
Entry is on a first come, first served basis and the course fills up quickly, so be sure to get your entry in early!
Sign-up for the Beginners 2027 course opens during November 2026.
Please contact membership@bsrc.org.uk with any questions on payments.
What happens after the course?
At the end of the 10 week course you can join club regulars on Wednesday evening social runs across the local tracks for the rest of the Summer months, switching to roads around town for Winter.
You will also be able to enjoy a meal and drink in our licenced bar in the clubhouse to relax with your new friends to enjoy some well-earned food and drink after the Wednesday night runs.
This leads up to your next challenge, which is the Takeley 10k in September, together with the other beginners from the course.
Beyond this, the Running Club has groups for all abilities and you can continue your running in one of those groups after the course.
You will also be able to attend all of the Club events and regular coaching sessions for free until end March 2027.
