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Race Listing for Dorset

About the area

DORSET MIGHT be a relatively small county (population 750,000) but it packs a running punch! It's scenic 1,000 sq mile is home to a network of growing clubs, a calendar of great events; plus a beautiful coastline and lovely rolling interior means a wealth of routes for local runners.

The club scene is flourishing and a lot of the action is centred around the popular Dorest Road Race League. Bournemouth AC (men) and Poole Runners (women) were champions in 2013. The 12 leg competition starts on 1 January with the Broadstone Quarter Marathon and culminates in late November with the Wimborne 10, in between there are a great selection of 5 and 10 miles runs, and 10ks, half marathons and the North Dorset Village Marathon in June. The NDV Marathon is a picturesque run along country lanes through the villages of Hinton St Mary, Marnhull, Stalbridge, Todber, Stour Row, Margaret Marsh, West Orchard, Farrington, Child Okeford and Hammoon, so neatly living up to the race name.

Dorset also caters for new and early-stage runners with a dozen or so Run England groups. We take a closer look at one - Bourne Runners - which has grown into an active and adventurous club while maintaining its emphasis on the introductory level.

parkrun, the free weekly 5k event, stages hugely popular events in Poole and Bournemouth while there is also an event in Weymouth. The Race for Life series brings out many new women runners in May and June at Dorchester, Bournemouth and Poole.

One major addition to the Dorset running scene occurred in October 2013 with the arrival of Bournemouth Marathon Festival. The 2 day event programme includes junior races, a dramatic Speed of Light 5K, a 10k and half marathon as well as a dramatic coastline marathon.

Summed up simply - Dorset has it all; clubs, groups, routes and events. It's a great place to be a runner.

We are compiling a list of running groups, clubs and facilities in Dorset. If you would like to add information to our listing please get in touch with us.

Running clubs In Dorset

• Bournemouth AC
• Bournemouth Joggers
• Christchurch Runners
• Dorchester AC
• Dorset Doddlers (Sturminster Newton)
• Dorset Sole Sisters
• Egdon Heath Harriers
• Hamworthy Harriers
• Gillingham Trotters
• Littledown Harriers
• Lytchett Manor Striders
• Maiden Newton Runners
• Poole AC
• Poole Runners
• Purbeck Runners
• Royal Manor of Portland AC
• Westbourne RC
• Weymouth St. Pauls Harriers & AC
• Wimborne AC
• Zoom Tri (Bournemouth)

If you would like your club to be added to this page, get in touch with us!

At A Glance - Christchurch Runners

A small but enthusiastic club, Christchurch Runners are based in the south-east corner of Dorset, where lunchtime competition is the order of the day.  Chris Potter tells us more ...

What’s Christchurch Runners USP? 

Lunchtime sessions.  Wednesday is our formal weekly meet but members go out most days.

That is a bit different …

We came in to existence in 1982 as a works club using the social club’s facilities so great for a midday run then shower and back to the grind.

But Christchurch Runners sounds like a local club ...

We are now.  We got fed-up having to change every few years when Plessey (and its successors) changed name and we were renamed and had to get new kit.  6 years ago we settled on Christchurch Runners and we’re now an open club with both local runners and people who work for BAE Systems and Selex.

Tell us about the Wednesday session …

It’s usually quite competitive with a handicap system to award points to participants in a 3 to 5 mile run.  Often we use the nearby beach, sometimes we take a short ferry ride across to Hengistbury Head and run through the Nature Reserve.  Great views across the harbour and to the Isle of Wight.

You’re close to the New Forest too ...

Yes but that’s better for a longer run - quiet roads, forest tracks, undulating terrain and, yes, you do see the ponies.

Who are the club stalwarts ... 

Both George McConnell and Chris Wales have been with us for over 30 years but they’re spring chickens compared to Bruce Davidson.  Bruce is a New Forest Runner but he likes to take part in our big festive event, the Christmas 10K.  At 92 he has had both hips replaced but still managed a respectable time in 2013.

Any other famous names ... 

George Dayantis was a popular member a few years back.  He was a top drawer ultra runner and won the Barry 40 on three occasions.  Sadly George is no longer with us but we remember him with affection.

Is the club involved with any other events?

We did organise the Mad March 20, one of the tougher legs of the Dorset Road Race League, however we passed the baton to Zoom Tri club a few years ago and they’ve been doing a great job.

That’s an event not without its dangers!

You will be fine if stampeding cows and skittish horses don’t faze you.

Any big club trips?

A carful or so usually make it to the Dorset league races and I was lucky enough myself to get a place at Marathon du Medoc last year.

So Chris did you get a PB at Medoc?

Er, no.  But I did take advantage of the fantastic fuelling stations along the route.

Finally what are Christchurch Runners hopes for the future ...

It would be great to recruit a few new younger members. We’ve got great facilities here - shower, changing, bar and good food - so it’s a terrific base for running.

Running groups in Dorset

• Absolute Beginners, Swanage
• Bourne Runners, David English Centre, Bournemouth
• Bournemouth AC, King’s Park
• Bournemouth Beginners & Improvers, Cherry Tree Nursery
• Bournemouth 10 Week Beginners with Carmel Ryan, Kings Park
• Forest Fitness and Wellbeing, Hengistbury Hd, Southbourne, Bournemouth
• Littledown Harriers Beginners, Littledown Centre, Bournemouth
• Meyrick Park Runners, The Club at Meyrick Park, Bournemouth
• Poole Joggers sister club to Poole AC, Canford Heath
• Run Kingston Lacy - NT, Kingston Lacy National Trust Estate, Kingston Lacy, Wimborne Minster
• West Dorset Trail Runners, Bridport
• Wilts/Dorset Rural Group, Broad Chalke MUGA, Salisbury
• Wimborne AC - Endurance Group, QE Leisure Centre, Wimborne

If you would like your club to be added to this page, get in touch with us!

Group Focus - Bourne Runners

BOURNE RUNNERS are unique - both a group where beginners can find their feet, and a club where established runners can train for serious challenges like a marathon.  There are three levels of high quality coaching - beginner, intermediate and advanced - all led by experienced coaches (UK Athletics and Leadership in Running Fitness standard).  And considerable planning goes into the programmes and the sessions offered by the club.

Bourne Runners launched in 2009 in response to demand from those who wanted to start running but didn’t know where to go.  Established running clubs required you to run for 5 miles at a good lick so not ideal for a beginner.

From a modest start in 2009, Bourne Runners have grown in strength on the back of personal recommendation and a reputation for providing a sympathetic and supportive approach for beginners.  Now in 2014 and looking ahead to a 5th birthday Naomi Bennett reflected on the success of the group:

“Bourne Runners was, and still is, a place where someone who had never run before could come along and start at the very beginning.  Our Wednesday sessions at Moordown take new members from zero to running 1 to 2 miles comfortably via a very gentle run/walk approach.  Members progress at their own pace and can graduate to the Improvers group whenever they feel ready.  It’s all about gradual progression under the guidance of a qualified coach with an emphasis on fun and increased fitness.

Mondays and Thursdays see improver sessions at the Sir David English Centre where coaches Louise Harper and Janet Hooper guide members from running a couple of miles to being ready for a 10k if they fancy it.  Sessions are mixed - a steady run one evening and intervals, hillwork or a lactate tolerance session, the next.

Progress is monitored with bi-monthly time trials on the beach, which give members from across the groups the opportunity to get together and have fun as they try to beat the clock. 

The advanced group also meets on Mondays and Thursdays, and Naomi provides the lead here, developing the stamina and endurance (and the speed) of runners who are looking to take part at half marathon and beyond.  In 2013 the focus in the latter part of the year was on the new Bournemouth Marathon Festival with nine Bourne Runners making their first attempt at the classic 26.2 mile. 

There is also a Saturday morning ‘distance builder’ session in the Bourne Runners timetable where members can build-up their stamina and endurance.

Coaches Naomi, Louise and Janet took enormous satisfaction from the recent Bournemouth Marathon Festival performances.  Naomi said:  “The marathoners were fantastic.  It’s hard to believe just a couple of years ago they were taking their first tentative steps.  But members who took part in the half marathon, the 10k and the 5k were heroes too.  It’s all about achievements that are very personal to the individual.

“It’s funny but since Bourne Runners started we have only seen a couple of people move on to other clubs, with a more competitive emphasis.  Our members have preferred to develop with the group - hence the success at advanced level - and realise their ambitions as a Bourne Runner.  We have developed a strong identity with our branded kit, and successful social events - big Christmas nights, pub quiz and regular fancy dress runs.  Mini-bus away days to events like The Grim, New Forest 10 mile race and the infamous Terminator at Pewsey Vale are very popular and build morale and a sense of team spirit.”

Naomi concluded: “Bourne Runners now have a Facebook community of 150 plus and around 60 members turning up each week.  We’ve seen so many people change their attitudes to health and fitness and build great friendships.  It’s hugely rewarding for myself and Louise and Janet to play a part in making that happen.”

Check out Bourne Runners at bournerunners.com or on Facebook.

Services in Dorset

Do you operate a service for runners in the Dorset area? If you'd like to be added to our list please get in touch with us!

Nutrition Advice

Please contact us and we will include details of your service

Personal Training

Please contact us and we will include details of your service

Physiotherapy

• bwt Physio
• Dorchester Physiotherapy
• Dorset Physiotherapy Centre
• East Cliff Physiotherapy Centre
• Wimborne Physiotherapy

Podiatry

• Broadstone Clinic
• Cambridge House Dorset Ltd, Podiatry & Chiropody Practice
• Dorset Biomechanics
• Ferndown Chiropody Clinic
• Merriefield Podiatry
• Sole Solution

Sports Massage

Please contact us and we will include details of your service