ARC currently has members of all abilities, from seasoned marathon runners to fun runners and walkers, and welcomes anyone regardless of age, gender, experience or fitness.

The Club was formed in 1988 and has approaching 200 members. Generally on a Tuesday evening there are about 50-60 members running from the Stick & Wicket.
Club Nights & Training Sessions

Official Club Nights - Tuesdays

The club meets on Tuesday evenings from 7pm at the Stick & Wicket Club Aldridge.

Groups usually set off around 7.10pm. Each group nominates a member to be responsible for the group. No-one is left behind!

Running groups

There are five main group runs on club nights:

  • Loops - multiple 1 mile laps to encourage beginners, with most runners completing 1, 2 or 3 loops
  • 4 mile run
  • 6 mile run
  • Efforts - a choice of two organised training sessions based on repetitions, focussing on hills or sprints. Suitable for all abilities and experience

Walking group

The group follows a two mile route each week. with everyone in the group staying together and then it is hoped that all will join the post-walk drink in the clubhouse (and maybe even the occasional cake!).


The walking group is designed to complement the runs and to acknowledge that, for many reasons, some people coming to the club may not wish to or be able to run. For some people, not running may be short-term but for others it may be longer term. Either way, going for a walk will enable club members to take some gentle exercise and enjoy the camaraderie of being in a group, chatting as we walk. Our club has been going for a long while now and the addition of a walking group enables older members to still participate and also caters for people who are nervous about taking their first steps towards running to prove to themselves that they can do some exercise. We are forever grateful to Claire Heaven for starting this popular addition to our options on a Tuesday night.

Other options

At times other groups are organised to support members wanting to run a different distance.  


Informal Club Nights - Thursdays

There is a 'chatty' session at 6:30pm on Thursday evenings, which runs a 4-mile route at a gentle pace, and which is open to all. Club members meet on the road outside the Stick & Wicket as the club is not usually open during these times.


There is also a faster group, which runs a longer route, leaving from the Whitehouse area of Aldridge.  Members find details each week from a messaging group.


Members may also arrange other ad hoc runs themselves especially when training for races.


Parkrun

Many ARC members are enthusiastic supporters of parkrun. This is a 5km run - you against the clock - and takes place every Saturday at 09:00. We all run for our own enjoyment so please come along and join in whatever your pace. The nearest are held in the Walsall Arboretum, Chasewater and Sutton Park, with Beacon (Lichfield) and Brunswick Park (Wednesbury) regularly supported by club members. It’s free but you need to register in advance to get the barcode needed to get an official result. For more details go to the Parkun website.

If you like the sound of what ARC can offer you, head over to our 'Joining ARC' page for more information.