Road

Macclesfield Harriers & Athletic Club has a series of groups to support and develop road runners of all abilities. Each group operates to the same set of guidelines (see Guidelines at foot of page) but to different pace and distance standards (see Group Structure below). The groups are structured to allow a progression to a higher group as ability improves. Group members are encouraged to develop and progress through the group structure, to compete for the club and to help at club events.

There is also endurance training for Seniors at the track each Tuesday 6.30pm-8.00pm – these sessions really help with speed, endurance & fitness and are organised by Sue Rowson, Lynda Cook & Steve Lomas (Qualified EA Coaches).

The club Road Championships depends on points from a runner’s best 6 races over the season (NOTE: Only 4 races needed for U20 runners).

Details of the Rules for the 2024 Road Running Club Championship can be found here.

Weekly Training Times
2024 Road Race Championships
Road Race Championships Rules
Road Race Championships Standings

Latest Road Running News

Upcoming Events

Club Race

Christleton 5k, 2024

May 17, 2024 6:15:pm
Flat 5k with PB potential, organisers claim that ‘most local runners can claim to have set their 5K PB at Christleton Part of the Cheshire Grand Prix series https://www.chestertri.org.uk/our-races/christleton-5k/
Club Championship

Dave Telford Memorial Dunham Massey 5k, 2024

June 6, 2024 6:15:pm
Part of the Cheshire Grand Prix and the Spectrum Striders Summer Series Takes place in the grounds of Dunham Massey National Trust https://bookitzone.com/julian_spencer/SvjFFX
Club Championship

Colshaw Hall 10k, 2024

June 16, 2024 8:30:am
Starts and ends at the Grade II listed Colshaw Hall https://runcheshire.niftyentries.com/Colshaw-Hall-10k-Knutsford-2024

Group Structure

Macclesfield Harriers & A.C. has a series of groups to support and develop runners of all abilities. Each group operates to the same set of guidelines but to different pace and distance standards. The groups are structured to allow a progression to a higher group as ability improves. Group members are encouraged to develop and progress through the group structure, to compete for the club and to help at club events.

There is also ‘Senior’s training’ at the track each Tuesday 6.30pm-8.00pm – these sessions really help with speed, endurance & fitness and are organised by Sue Rowson & Steve Lomas (Coaches).

Road Running Group Structure
More Details

E Group – Qualified Leaders currently run this group on a Saturday morning at 9.00am, Monday evening at 6.30pm and Wednesday evening at 7.30pm. Monday & Saturday runs are at various locations (details on E group FB page & Blog). Wednesday run is from the Leisure Centre Overflow Car Park and is about 5k.The aim of the group is to encourage group members to be able to run 4-5 miles and to encourage them to move into the ‘D’ group at Macclesfield Harriers. More information HERE

D Group – this is the group that runs each Wednesday and Friday evening at 6.30pm from the overflow car park behind the Leisure Centre. The group aim is to take people from E group and develop them ready for the next level. This group will run 4-6 miles at paces from 8-10½ min/mile with ‘loop-back’ to keep the group together. Group members will be encouraged to take part and represent the club in races.
There is also a Saturday Trail run at 9.00am each week (various locations, mainly off road). More information about meeting places – CLICK HERE

C Group – this is the group that run each Monday and Thursday evening at 6.30pm from the overflow car park behind the Leisure Centre. The group aim is to take people from the D group and develop them ready for the next level. This group is also a good starting point for people with previous running experience or are looking to run with a group. This group will run 5-7 miles at paces from 8-9min/mile with ‘loop-back’ to keep the group together. Group members will be encouraged to take part and represent the club in races

B Group – this is the group that runs each Monday and Thursday evening at 6.30pm (this group meets as detailed above). The group aim is to take people from the C Group and develop them as far as possible. This group will run 7-9 miles at paces from 7- 8 min/mile with ‘loop-back’ and reps. Group members will be encouraged to take part and represent the club in races

A Group – this group runs each Thursday evening at 6.30pm. The group aim is to take people from the B Group and develop them as far as possible. This group will run 7-9 miles at paces from 6 -7 min/mile. Group members will be encouraged to take part and represent the club in races.

Group Guidelines

The road running groups are only open to those over 18. The following guidelines are adopted by each road running group to ensure safety, enjoyment, inclusion, personal development & competition.

1. The nominated Group Leader is responsible for the safe operation of the group

2. Group runners are responsible for their own safety and also for the safety of fellow runners

3. If the group leader is not present or unable to continue then the group must select a new leader within the ‘senior’ members present and continue to follow the group guidelines

4. The leader must ensure before the start of the run that each member is fit to take part (it is the responsibility of each member to declare illness or injury)

5. The group will carry out a ‘dynamic warm-up’ prior to starting to run

6. The leader will note the number of runners at the start and finish of the run

7. The leader will agree a route for the run with the members

8. The leader will carry a means of communication (normally a mobile phone) for emergencies

9. The pace of the group will be dictated by the needs of the slowest runner

10. The group must stay within contact of all members with no more than 100 metres separating the front and rear runners unless a ‘split’ has been agreed with the leader. Faster runners should ‘loop back’ or wait when they are 100 metres ahead

11. The group must approach all roads and road junctions with caution and only cross when safe to do so

12. Group members will wear reflective clothing when running in the dark and protective clothing in cold/wet weather

13. Group members will not wear earphones (for iPod/MP3 players)

14. On ‘cross-country’ routes the group will follow the country code using permitted footpaths and rights of way ensuring all gates are closed and livestock is not compromised

15. Country roads with no footpaths will only be used in daylight hours and runners must be in single file facing oncoming traffic

16. Runners unable to continue due to injury or illness will be escorted back to the starting point by another group member or wait for a member of the group to return with transport

17. Minor injuries or accidents arising during the run must be reported to the group leader

18. The group leader will seek medical assistance in the event of a serious injury or accident by calling 999

19. The group leader will encourage group members to move up a group when appropriate

20. The group leader will encourage participation in events (especially club championship events)

Cross Discipline Challenge

The Cross Discipline Challenge exists in order to promote and celebrate participation in all of the disciplines that the club is active in and to encourage members to branch out and compete in areas outside of their normal preferred discipline and to support the club through volunteering.

More Info