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Race Listing for Northamptonshire

About the area

Northamptonshire is something of an 'unsung treasure'. At the heart of England it is home to some of the most beautiful countryside in the country and numerous pretty villages with their thatched cottages, country lanes and parish churches.

The geography of the county lends itself to relaxed running with spacious country parks, canals and areas of ancient woodland just waiting to be explored. Miles of cycle path follow the landscape of the Brampton Valley Way and stately homes and ancestral seats, including Rockingham Castle and Althorp, are all part of the local heritage. The network of canals are another great resource for runners.

With the infrastructure in place it's no surprise then that the county boasts a flourishing running scene. At club level a dozen or so established names compete for the big prizes in the Northants Road Running League, a nine-leg series that starts in April with the Corby 5K and includes the Silverstone 10K and Northampton Half Marathon before concluding in November with the Rockingham 10 Miles.

We talk to Wellingborough & District AC, one of a number of clubs that happily encourages both top level runners and beginners with an inclusive ethos. Other big names are Wootton RR, Kettering Town Harriers, Northampton RR and Corby AC. A number of clubs are associated with Jog Northants beginners groups and are able to use club resources (coaches/facilities) to help people into running and in turn benefit from a supply of new members.

Jog Northants has been a hugely successful initiative since it was launched in 2009. Over 50 beginners groups around the county have been established in that time. The groups have varied backgrounds - some are 'school gates' groups, others associated with slimming groups and, as mentioned, a number linked to established clubs. Groups likes Redwell Runners and Body Magic Marvels, who we profile, have made a huge impact and introduced thousands to healthier and fitter lifestyles. Go to northamptonshiresport.org/jog-northants to find out more.

parkrun was introduced to the county in 2012 at Northampton racecourse. Now that event regularly attracts 300/400 each week. Corby (2013) and Daventry (2015) have been added to the roster and although they have more modest fields they still play an important role in sports provision in their areas.

Race for Life stages a big weekend in Northampton in June with a 5K/10K double header on the Sunday and a Pretty Muddy 5K on the Saturday. Although there are dozens of events staged in Northamptonshire throughout the year, they tend to be small-scale with the exception of the big London Marathon test at Silverstone Half Marathon.

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

Running clubs in Northamptonshire

• Banbury Harriers running club
• Brackley & District Running Club
• Corby AC
• Daventry Amateur Athletics Club
• Desborough Rapid Running Club
• Desborough & Rothwell Running Club
• Higham Harriers
• Human Energy
• Kettering Town Harriers
• Market Harborough Running Club
• Northampton Road Runners
• Olney Runners
• Rothwell Harriers
• Rugby and Northampton AC
• Silson Joggers AC
• TEAM BALANCISE (Rushden)
• Wellingborough & District A.C.
• Wootton Road Runners

Something missing? If you'd like to add something our list of clubs in Northamptonshire then please get in touch with us here

All’s Well In Wellingborough

The club scene in Northants is a lively one with Wellingborough & District AC one of the most vibrant in the county. runABC Midlands spoke to president Alan Mills and chair Jon Kemp …

300 plus members …

Yes, it’s been a good few years for the club, we seem to be attracting lots of interest.

What’s the secret of your success?

We’ve put a lot of work into bringing on beginners and we offer a 6 level training approach that means there is a place for everyone. We also actively look to recruit new members and had an information stand at the local shopping centre in January. That got a great response.

Tell us about training at WDAC …

Tuesday and Thursday nights from Wrenn School (6.30-8.00pm). We split into 6 groups – from sub 40 minute 10k people to 60 minuters. Everyone gets a decent session, no one gets left behind and there’s flexibility to take account of progress, coming back from injury and race tapering. 

Out and about …

The club is lucky in that we’re based close to some lovely countryside and it’s just a short jog to the scenic trails around the River Nene.

That has encouraged an active trails and ultras section at the club …

Yes, those guys are a pretty relaxed crew. They run for pleasure and enjoy exploring what rural Northamptonshire has to offer. Alan Mills tells us that the group tempted him after he had decided to scale back and encouraged him to tackle the 35 mile Shires and Spires.  A fair test for a man in his mid 70s!

Recent successes?

The club did manage a clean sweep of the Northants Road Running league lifting the men’s, women’s and overall prizes. The Wellingborough women were always well placed but it took a late charge from the men at the Rockingham 10 to seal the title.

Tell us about the social side of the club?

Highlights of the year are the Halloween (fancy dress, head torches) and Christmas Eve (bacon rolls and hot drinks at the end) runs at Irchester Country Park; the summer barbecue; the Welly Wobble (a run around some local pubs); and the annual awards night.

What about foreign travel?

We make an annual trip to Krov in Germany for a brilliant event called the Midnight Run, which starts at 11.30pm with a route through a series of pretty villages on the banks of the Moselle.

There’s no street lights but the locals put out candles, which creates a magical atmosphere.

Any other foreign connections?

A recent recruit to Wellingborough AC is Mariusz Iwaniec, a talented athlete from Poland. Mariusz was a steeplechaser in his homeland but has been recording some fast times on the flat in England. Although the club welcomes runners of all abilities, we’ve always had some tidy performers. Steve Adams and Tony Hale are GB triathletes in their age category.

Wellingborough characters over the decades?

Original member Terry Rolls was a larger than life character in the early days while Barry Flint ran London in 2:36 when he was 50. Julia Cooke-Simmons was another big influence; great for bringing the club together in a social sense. Today Kev O’Reilly is a stalwart of the ‘trails’ section, famed for his unconventional approach to training.

You have a dream …

The club has done remarkably well on quite limited facilities. It would be great to have our own track, maybe in association with Wrenn School. Then we really would be flying.

Find out more at … wdac.org.uk

Running groups In Northamptonshire

• Allys Amblers
• Arc Joggers
• Body Magic Marvels Joggers
• Chapel Beginners Jogging
• Chinley Intermediates
• Fitness Vitality
• Irchester & Wollaston Joggers
• Kettering Town Harriers - Jogging Group
• Lets Run Moulton Park
• New2Running
• Parklands Jog & Run
• R.A.P.I.D (Run Any Pace In Desborough)
• Racecourse Joggers
• Redwell Runners
• Running Mate (Wellingborough and Daventry)R
• Rushden Runners
• SheCan...Run
• Stanwick Lakers
• Towcester Joggers
• Upton Joggers

Check Jog Northants website for more affiliated groups.

Something missing? If you'd like to add something our list of groups in Northamptonshire then please get in touch with us here

Running services in Northamptonshire

Chiropody

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Nutrition Advice

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Personal Training

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Physiotherapy

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Podiatry

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Sports Massage

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