South Yorkshire
Newsdesk
17 Oct 2024
MoRunning In The North
03 Oct 2024
Fast Times & Fundraising Superstars
21 Aug 2024
Six Weeks 'Til Sheffield
05 Jun 2024
Sheffield's Ten Out of Ten is Back!
Race Listing for South Yorkshire
Date | Event | Location | Results |
---|---|---|---|
26 Oct 2024 | Day of the Dead 6 Hour Challenge | St Johns Community Centre, Penistone | |
27 Oct 2024 | Penistone Pumpkin 6 Hour Challenge | St Johns Community Centre, Penistone | |
24 Nov 2024 | Doncaster 10K | The Racecourse, Doncaster | |
01 Dec 2024 | Percy Pud 10K | Loxley Road, Sheffield | |
08 Dec 2024 | Santa Safari | Yorkshire Wildlife Park, Doncaster | |
22 Dec 2024 | Santa's Special | Millmoor Juniors Training Ground, Rotherham | |
26 Dec 2024 | Braithwell Boxing Day Race | Butcher’s Arms, Braithwell | |
29 Dec 2024 | Amble's Revenge | Waggon & Horses, Oxspring | |
05 Jan 2025 | Round Sheffield Run Winter Edition | Endcliffe Park, Sheffield | |
26 Jan 2025 | Active Fusion 3K Challenge | Cycle Track, Doncaster | |
26 Jan 2025 | Tigger Tor Fell Race | Norfolk Arms, Ringinglow, Sheffield | |
01 Mar 2025 | Carry On In The Colliery & 5M Canine Canter | Rabbit Ings Country Park, Barnsley | |
23 Mar 2025 | Sheffield Mutual Half Marathon | Arundel Gate, Sheffield | |
28 Mar 2025 | Donfaster 5K March | Doncaster Cycle Track, Doncaster | |
28 Sep 2025 | Sheffield Mutual Sheffield 10K | Arundel Gate, Sheffield |
About the area
The metropolitan boroughs of Sheffield, Doncaster, Rotherham and Barnsley are well known for their industrial heritage but also have a long history of competitive athletics. This is still evident in the 21st century as the region's biggest city, Sheffield, is home to City of Sheffield AC where Olympian Jessica Ennis-Hill started her career.
Nestled at the foot of the Pennines, Sheffield is also the base of the Steel City Striders. We speak to Strider Mick Wall, who explains why the club pride itself on being the 'friendliest in Sheffield'. Mick also informs us that the city's abundance of hills is the secret to it producing so many top class runners.
The Steel City Striders organise one of the region's seasonal favourites, Percy Pud 10K, in December. Another popular race is the Plusnet Yorkshire Half Marathon, which attracted close to 6,000 runners for its second staging this year. Less gruelling distances include the Barnsley 10K in November and the Doncaster Town Centre 5K in July.
It's not all about competition, though. For a less formal group running environment, Karen Gregory gives us an insight into life at her group Donny Divas. She tells us how she got her colleagues at Doncaster College to believe in themselves and why being a Diva isn't reserved just to women. For the latest running apparel and equipment, the region is well served with four running stores in Sheffield ' Accelerate, Front Runner, Metres to Miles, and Up & Running.
Image: Runners line up at the start of the Plusnet Yorkshire Half Marathon (courtesy Run For All)
Running clubs In South Yorkshire
There are many well established running clubs in South Yorkshire. They create a network of which lets anyone who wants to run fairly seriously, join liked-minded people for training and race competition.
Being part of a club is a great way of motivating yourself and improving your performance. Clubs will usually meet twice a week, often for programmed sessions, and there can be opportunities for other organised runs. It's also a great way to make friends and to get involved in social activities.
Clubs come in various shapes and sizes - some focus exclusively on road and trail running others have junior sections and take part in a range of track and field events. Hill running is a big part of some clubs while some others can be more focused on speed over flat terrain.
When was the club formed?
In 1982 at the time of the first Sheffield Marathon.
Where and when do you meet up?
We run sessions all over Sheffield throughout the week that are led by fully qualified and experienced England Athletics run leaders and coaches. Members also hold impromptu training sessions at weekends, usually organised through our Facebook page.
On Monday evenings we have multiple groups running various paces/distances round Heeley. Then on Tuesdays we have a single group daytime session of 8 to 10 miles round Millhouses. In the evenings we have an urban speed session, also in Milllhouses. On Wednesday evenings we have multiple groups running various paces/distances round Hillsborough and also Graves. And on Thursdays we hold a track session at Woodburn Road Stadium.
How many members are there?
We currently have 430 members and are delighted that our female contingent just keeps growing and growing!
The club is billed as ‘the friendliest running club in Sheffield’, do you welcome all ages and abilities?
We welcome anyone aged 16+ and our main training nights are geared to people who can run 6 miles and upwards. At Heeley and Hillsborough we always have a group that only goes 6 miles in around 65/70 minutes so that newcomers are not put off by longer and faster runs. We also regularly run 5k to 10k courses helping people bridge the gap between parkrun and 10k so that people can then join our main training nights. These have been very successful and lots of current members came through that programme.
Do you organise your own events?
Yes, several! The 7.1 mile Salt Cellar fell race is held in August and is set against the stunning backdrop of the Derwent and Ladybower reservoirs in the Peak District. We also organise the Percy Pud, South Yorkshire’s most popular 10k each year, which takes place on the first Sunday in December. The event has grown in popularity from the first race in 1993 when 600 finished the race to recent years when the entry has had to be limited to around 2,200. Such is the demand for numbers that in each of the last 10 years the race has sold out ahead of time. The 2013 race was no exception, as the race limit was reached within two weeks of the entries opening, in 2014 this was 36 hours and in 2015 it took just two hours to sell 2,200 entries.
Why is it so popular?
Traditionally each finisher in the race receives a Christmas pudding for their efforts. Food and seasonal music are provided after the race. Of course, the route is not bad either. For many, the Percy Pud signals the start of Christmas.
Is there a strong social element to the club?
We have a flourishing social scene. We organise curry runs, we’ve had board game nights, trips to greyhound racing, coach trips to out of town races and Christmas do’s to name just a few. There is also talk of a Striders Superstars coming this summer in homage to the BBC programme of the ‘70s and ‘80s.
What’s Sheffield like for running?
We have some fantastic routes – many on our doorstep. New runners can often see the hills created by the valleys as off-putting, but they really do make you stronger. Once you’ve run around Sheffield for a while you get used to them, then when you go out of town racing to a flat course you can really fly.
Find out more about Steel City Striders.
Running groups in South Yorkshire
There are numerous informal running groups across South Yorkshire - some are based at running stores, others at health and fitness clubs, while a few are just groups of workplace or college friends. If you’d like to list your group please get in touch with us here.
Organised in a more formal way but still providing a relaxed introduction to running is Run England. The project is really blossoming around the country and is well represented in South Yorkshire.
See list below but also check out www.runengland.org to find out about new venues, up-to-date meeting times and contact details.
Donny Divas founder and run leader Karen Gregory tells runABC North why, despite the name, anyone can be a Diva…
When Karen first started running on her lunch breaks at Doncaster College, where she lectures, her colleagues started casting envious glances her way: “Some would simply say, ‘What are you doing?’ but others would shout ‘I wish I could run!’ And I’d tell them that anyone can run. I decided to set up Donny Divas so they could do just that.”
Though the group was originally started for college workers, it’s grown to include members from outside the college. “They’re not all from work! We have Ali who’s 13-years-old and the daughter of one of the technicians at the college and there’s also Rob who’s the partner of a lecturer.”
When asked how Rob felt as a man being classed as a ‘Diva’, Karen explains why you needn’t be female to become a member. “We needed a name and at the time of forming we were all women. I thought Donny Divas had a nice ring to it and, you know what? If you’re male or female it doesn’t matter. You can still be a Diva! We have two or three men who run with us so you definitely won’t feel out of place as a man.”
With a young teenage member, it’s clear that the group also has an inclusive approach when it comes to age. “The age range at the group is quite wide. The youngest is 13 and the oldest is about 60.”
Karen thinks running acts as a great leveller, regardless of age, occupation, or gender. “Everyone’s equal when they’re running, which I love. So you’ll have a lecturer, a teaching assistant and a cleaner all running together. It allows you to meet people you maybe wouldn’t normally meet.”
Many of the group’s members go on to run in races but Karen stresses it’s entirely up to the individual: “The goal initially is to be able to run for three miles. Everyone’s different though. Some go on to enter half marathons others never do a race. I don’t put pressure on anyone.”
A group of Donny Divas took part in the Great North Run last year, raising £7000 for Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice. For one member, it looked like his chances of completing the race were all but gone after suffering a serious injury prior to the event. “Rob broke his legs three weeks before the race. But because he’d put in the training we thought he should still do it. So we pushed him for 12 miles then he walked for the last one.”
So what about the social side of the group? “We’re definitely very sociable. We’ll do sessions where some people will drop off after three miles, some after six and others after ten. After you drop off you’ll go for a coffee. So it just means the earlier you drop off the longer you stay having a coffee. Some people aren’t able to socialise outside of running due to schedules. But it’s important to realise that running itself is a social activity. You inevitably get chatting to others when running.”
If you’re interested in getting social with Donny Divas, Karen holds beginner sessions on Tuesday evenings and more advanced sessions on Wednesday evenings. For more information, search for Donny Divas on runengland.info
Services for runners in South Yorkshire
Focus on Holywell Healthcare
When speaking with Holywell Healthcare’s sports message therapist John Freeman, it is clear that the clinic provides a fully integrated approach to treatment. The team, located at the Accelerate store in Sheffield, aim to address the symptoms and cause of an individuals problem, while also looking to prevent a reoccurrence of the injury.
One of the most frustrating stages in any runner’s career is, of course, taking an enforced break due to injury. While this can disrupt momentum, Holywell Healthcare aims to provide a thorough rehabilitation, as John explains: “Remember injury time is a great moment to work on our body’s weaknesses.This way you can return stronger for longer.”
On top of providing podiatry, sports massage and soft tissue treatment, Active Health’s fully integrated approach includes Pilates sessions, orthotic prescriptions, and advice for anyone looking to make the transition into minimalist or barefoot running. To improve fitness levels, heart rate and lactate testing is also available.
Holywell Healthcare,
3 Baker Street,
Attercliffe,
Sheffield,
S9 3RD
T: 01246 273848
holywellhealth.co.uk