Surrey

Running clubs in Surrey

• A26.2 Road Runners
• Alenia Marconi Systems AC
• Camberley & District AC
• Collingwood AC
• Cranleigh Tortoise and Hare RC
• Croydon Harriers
• Croydon Running Sisters
• Cruisers Running Club
• Dorking & Mole Valley AC
• Elmbridge Roadrunners
• Epsom Allsorts Ladies RC
• Epsom Oddballs RC
• Epsom & Ewell Harriers
• Farnham RC
• Guildford & Godalming AC
• Haslemere Border AC
• Holland Sports AC
• Horsham Blue Star Harriers
• Kingston AC & Polytechnic Harriers
• Kingston University AC
• Lauriston RC
• Lingfield Running Club
• Old Coulsdon Hash House Harriers
• Oxted Runners
• Pembroke Lodgers AC
• Redhill District Royal Mail RC
• Redhill and Surrey Beagles AC
• Reigate Priory AC
• Runnymede Runners
• Staines Strollers
• Striders of Croydon
• St Mary's Richmond AC
• St Mary's Univ College AC
• Sutton & District AC
• Sutton Runners
• The Stragglers
• Tadworth AC
• Veterans AC
• Walton AC
• Waverley Harriers AC
• Weybridge Hash House Harriers
• Windle Valley Runners
• Windsor, Slough, Eton and Hounslow AC
• Woking AC

Dorking & Mole Valley AC

• When did it all begin? In 1994 Dorking St.Paul's joined forces with Mole Valley AC to usher in a new running era in the heart of Surrey.
• Current strength? We're a big club. 100 juniors plus maybe 250/300 active seniors, although officially there are 500 on the books.
• So a young, keen outfit? More than that! Our juniors are competing successfully at county level but we have two growing beginners groups and quite a few runners past the first flush of youth!
• Where's the action? Tuesday's we meet at Ranmore for a cross-country run - usually a three figure turnout although we split into five groups so everyone can run at their own pace.
• What about the hard sessions? Thursday is track night. We have a grass track at Pixham Lane and the coaches can be relied upon to test the teens, and the septagenarians!
• So DMVAC is well-prepared for competition? We do take part in various leagues - summer and winter. The Surrey Road League and the Surrey Cross-Country League always attract a big turnout from the club. As do the MABAC events - Sunday mornings, cross-country and a nice relaxed atmosphere.
• Nice locations for the MABAC events? They're all scenic but Farley Green is a particular favourite, nice open countryside - not too tough.
• Your big event of the year? Has to be the Dorking 10 in June. It's the 10 mile county championship event and attracts a high quality field of 800 runners. All the members rally round for marshalling, water station and catering duties.
• Talking of rallying round, who are the club stalwarts? Dave Stead is a long-term member who no longer runs but is an enthusiastic coach and administrator. With a big junior waiting list, enthusiasts like Dave are worth their weight in gold.
• Any other famous members? The very unassuming Graham Taylor still enjoys running at 65 although he once mixed it with the marathon elite.
• How so? Graham won the old and much revered Polytechnic Marathon in 1966 in a time of 2:19:04. Other winners of that event were Ron Hill and Jim Peters, while Basil Heatley actually broke the world marathon in the 1964 race.
• And DMVAC isn't just about running? No, we've got a very active triathlon section. We're close to Box Hill where Bradley Wiggins rode the Zig Zag road to Olympic gold so plenty to inspire the cyclists.
• Tell us about big club trips? There's usually a party that heads down to Devon for the notoriously tough Grizzly race in March but to be honest there are so many high quality events close at hand that we don't have to travel far for the best of race action!

Want to know more? Visit their website

Running groups In Surrey

• Absolute Beginners, Bourne Sports Clubhouse, Farnham
• Any1canrun, Frimley Lodge Park, Camberley
• Ashtead Running Group, Ashtead Peace Memorial Hall
• Blackwater Beginners, Blackwater, Camberley
• Cranleigh Sunflowers, Co op Car Park, Cranleigh
• DMVAC Ranmore Middle Group, National Trust Car Park, Ranmore
• Edventure Running, Horton Park Golf & Country Park, Epsom
• Epsom Allsorts Beginners, Horton Country Park
• Epsom Runners, Court Recreation Ground
• Farnham Runners, Bourne Sports Clubhouse
• Goldsworth Park Runners, Goldsworth Park, Woking
• Guildford Snails, Guildford Spectrum
• Guildford Women's Runners, Guildford Spectrum
• Happy Feet Running Group, Heathervale Recreation, Addlestone
• Haslemere over 50s, Herons Leisure Centre, Haslemere
• Human Race Running Club, Leatherhead
• HBAC Beginners Group, Devils Punch Bowl, Hindhead
• Hermitage School Run, Hermitage School, Woking
• Inspired-2-Run, Dorking Sports Centre
• Molesey Running Group, Hurst Meadow Minor, Molesey
• Nonsuch Park Running Group, Mansion House, Cheam
• Oxted Runners Beginners, Limpsfield Chart
• Paleo Training Bible, Virginia Water Lake,
• Polesden Beginners Group, National Trust Polesden Lacey, Great Bookham
• Quadrant Court Joggers, Quadrant Court, Woking
• Rachel's Runners, Woking Park
• Reigate Ladies Joggers, Reigate Park
• Run Group, Guildford Spectrum
• Run 4 Mum,Oatlands Area, Weybridge
• Running Works, Epsom
• Run With Royston
• Arena Leisure Centre, Camberley
• Running Matters, Brookwood Memorial Hall, Woking
• SRC Woking, Sweatshop, Woking
• St John's Run for Fun, St John's Lye, Woking
• Sun Run, various Dorking
• Tandridge Trust Running Club, Destafford Sports Centre, Caterham
• Tortoise2Hare Group
• UK Fit Surrey, Windsor Great Park, Virginia Water
• West Byfleet Run Club, West Byfleet Recreation Ground
• Woking Runners, Woking Leisure Centre

RunEngland Surrey

RunEngland is going from strength to strength in Surrey where Darryl Gheerawo in his role as Run England Activator is coordinating a range of initiatives to support existing groups in their development, to encourage new groups and to introduce new resources like the 3-2-1 routes.

There is now a very wide network of RunEngland groups across the county and these are an ideal way for beginners and occasional runners to get involved and to benefit from the fitness and social benefits of group running. Our profile group - Cranleigh Sunflowers, is a great example of how these's group work and how much fun and enjoyment they provide. Check out our list of Run England groups in Surrey on page 93.

A key area of development for RunEngland in Surrey is the Leadership in Running Fitness Qualification. Through his various networks Darryl publicises the Leadership courses which are held regularly in Surrey and provide excellent training for enthusiastic runners or experienced club members who want to develop the skills need to organise and lead groups of beginners. Financial support, 50% of course costs, are available plus incentives that mean leaders get RunEngland merchandise based on numbers of new members they recruit. New members themselves receive £15 of Sweatshop vouchers when they sign up for the free membership scheme. For more details contact Darren.

Darren has also been working to establish 3-2-1 routes - marked out courses of 3, 2 and 1 miles, kilometres or laps - which provide suitable practice distances for new runners. Planned locations are Banstead Wood, Reigate Park, Polesden Lacey and Royal Holloway (Egham).

For more information about all the RunEngland initiatives mentioned visit their website

Focus On: Cranleigh Sunflowers

Now in its fourth year Cranleigh Sunflowers is one of Surrey's big running success stories. Double award winners - Run England's top south-east group and Women's Running Magazine's group of the year runner-up - in 2012, the Sunflowers were founded by the effervescent Lucy Bushnell and now boast 70 active members who meet regularly, target top races like Brighton marathon and Silverstone half and have a lots and lots of fun along the way.

Lucy highlights a group ethos that developed when she started running herself: "I had recently had twins, had never though of myself as an 'athletic' type and only agreed to join my friend on a short 'run' to get me out of the house. It took nearly an hour to go 5k, and at the end I felt sick. But something made me persevere and I completed a Race for Life 5K soon after, followed that up with a 10k and an autumn half marathon. I'd caught the bug!

“None of it was very fast but I loved it and was amazed as my weight dropped, my body shape changed and my self-confidence grew. It was a life-enhancing experience and one that I wanted to share.

“That's was the seed for the Sunflowers and soon the group was formed, meeting regularly and attracting new members. Our approach was always an inclusive one, keen to recruit women for all backgrounds and levels of fitness and let them bloom in a supportive environment.

“The group grew in strength and we developed a Tuesday-Friday-Sunday programme, and sessions that included longer easy runs, sprints and monthly circuits and time-trials. We also introduced some daft things - the '12 days of Christmas' was a warm-up routine with a festive twist; while 'Dishes and Domes' was an excellent team-building routine that had our normally well-behaved Surrey ladies pushing and shoving each other for all they were worth.

“Longer runs are on Fridays and we sometimes incorporate a Magical Mystery Tour element when we invite someone to take the lead. There's some nice countryside around Cranleigh and often we end up in pleasant woodland or climbing hills - hard work but the scenic views at the top make it worthwhile. We can sometimes get into trouble on these runs and more than once we've ended up in muddy bogs. Our most dramatic adventure came when we were 'attacked' by a hot balloon in descent.

“Usually though leaders Melissa, Julia, Tara, Kirsty and Debbie have things under control. And with Kate, Amy, Becky and Angela now taking additional responsibilities we are able to provide a good level of support for individual members. A key principle of the group is that people can progress at their own pace and even the slowest runners will have company throughout the session.

“The Sunflowers are a really mixed bunch and we get as big a kick out of someone coming back for a second week after a nervous introduction or completing their first 5k without stopping as we do from one of our veterans achieving a marathon PB. It was great to see Alex running a great half marathon at Silverstone in 1 hour 57 minutes then waiting for over an hour at the finish line to cheer on Becky and Gemma completing their first 13.1 mile event. That kind of sums up the group ethos."

Lucy Bushnell underlined two other factors behind the success of Cranleigh Sunflowers. A terrific social dimension - regular quiz nights, pizza and tapas treats; and great backing from partners and families, both in enabling members to attend sessions and providing support on race days and on social occasions.

And Lucy's proudest time as a Sunflower? "There have been a few poignant moments - I seem to be brushing aside a tear on a regular basis! But maybe the day we buddied up with Tortoise and Hare RC and collectively ran '1000 miles in a day' for Help for Heroes raising £4,500. That was a bit special."

RunEngland Surrey

RunEngland is going from strength to strength in Surrey where Darryl Gheerawo in his role as Run England Activator is coordinating a range of initiatives to support existing groups in their development, to encourage new groups and to introduce new resources like the 3-2-1 routes.

There is now a very wide network of RunEngland groups across the county and these are an ideal way for beginners and occasional runners to get involved and to benefit from the fitness and social benefits of group running. Our profile group - Cranleigh Sunflowers, is a great example of how these's group work and how much fun and enjoyment they provide. Check out our list of Run England groups in Surrey on page 93.

A key area of development for RunEngland in Surrey is the Leadership in Running Fitness Qualification. Through his various networks Darryl publicises the Leadership courses which are held regularly in Surrey and provide excellent training for enthusiastic runners or experienced club members who want to develop the skills need to organise and lead groups of beginners. Financial support, 50% of course costs, are available plus incentives that mean leaders get RunEngland merchandise based on numbers of new members they recruit. New members themselves receive £15 of Sweatshop vouchers when they sign up for the free membership scheme. For more details contact Darren.

Darren has also been working to establish 3-2-1 routes - marked out courses of 3, 2 and 1 miles, kilometres or laps - which provide suitable practice distances for new runners. Planned locations are Banstead Wood, Reigate Park, Polesden Lacey and Royal Holloway (Egham).

For more information about all the RunEngland initiatives mentioned visit their website

The Retailer Network

Surrey has an excellent network of independent running retailers which cover the county from Oxted (Simply Sports) in the east to Camberley (Runners Request) in the north-west to Caranleigh (Tortoise & The Hare) in the south. In addition the larger chains are represented by Runners Need in Chertsey and Sweatship in Woking. Plenty of choice and quality in depth.

Malcolm Croft and Derek Ripley are a great example of a local store where runners can get advice about local clubs and groups, events and services as well as full details about a comprehensive product range. The pair have a great affection for their local area and in a recent conversation told southernrunningguide.com: "We don't get as much publicity as some parts of the country but our shop here near Cranleigh is located in the heart of the Surrey Hills. It's an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty - a landscape of rolling chalk downs, flower rich grasslands, heaths and ancient woodlands. It provides some of the best trail running in southern England so we have to make sure that we keep a good stock of trail shoes. You'll find Montrail, Walsh, Inov8 and New Balance on our shelves. Match a hard-working pair of shoes with the clothing of Craft, OMM or Helly Hansen and you'll be well equipped for even the most inclement day in the hills."

Later the guys added: "We aim to build up a relationship with all of our customers so that they look forward to dropping in and looking around. When you get to know people you can advise them on hydration and nutrition (we stock a terrific selection of gels and bars - SIS, Powerbar, Clifbar and Elite all have their devotees)."

It's clear The Tortoise and Hare team are entrenched in their local community - they help behind the scenes at the Cranleigh 10K and the popular Cranleigh 15/21 (a pre-London marathon event that lets you run either 15 or 21 miles depending on how you feel on the day) and they have close links with a host of clubs.

It's a similar story in Guildford where Paul Galley leads an enthusiastic team at FitStuff on Chapel St. Great in-store facilities across two floors plus an on-site sports clinic and an association with lots of local races including calendar features like the Hard As Snails, Brutal 10, Bolt Around The Holt and Night Fright.

Across in Reigate and Oxted owner Adrian Pointer highlights the approach at Simply Sports: "At both of our stores expect the Motionquest gait analysis procedure which lets our well-trained staff make an accurate assessment of your running gait. This combined with a discussion around the customer's personal goals lets us identify a number of potential shoes. Then it's trial and error to pinpoint the optimum model - we've a great selection, clearly displayed. This can be time-consuming but it's worth the effort."
Looking after new runners is important to Simply Sports and they've created a brochure with lots of good advice and some tempting offers. One page addresses 'Your First 10K' and advises on progressive training, the importance of building core strength and hydration, another focuses on common injuries and tackling them.

The independents are ably supported by Sweatshop in Woking and Runners Need in Chertsey while Alton Sports are now established at Farnham. Run To Live in Ashtead, Runners Request in Camberley and Surrey Sports in Walton-on-Thames complete the picture of a well-served county where runners have informed and helpful retailers close at hand.

Running Services in Surrey

Opening its doors on 1 May 2009, Sutton Sports Physio provides expert physiotherapy treatment for the residents of Sutton, Cheam, Wallington, Worcester Park, Wimbledon, Epsom and other surrounding areas. With a team of highly trained and expert staff, Sutton Sports Physio are able to offer a complete range of physiotherapy and other relevant services.

Sutton Sports Physio

Address	c/o Sutton Junior Tennis Centre, Rosehill Park, Sutton, Surrey, SM1 3HH
Tel.	020 8254 2150
E-Mail	info@suttonsportsphysio.co.uk
Opening Times	Mon-Thurs: 08.00- 20.00 Friday: 08.00-19.00 Saturday: 09.00-17.00
The Sutton Sports Physio Approach	With over 25 years combined experience of physiotherapy and sports injuries, the staff at Sutton Sports Physio can deal with all of your physical ailments. With considerable experience in dealing with all types of conditions, Sutton Sports Physio is a good choice if you are suffering with back pain, sports injuries or recovering after surgery. From recreational sports to elite athletes the physiotherapists at Sutton Sports Physio can assist in not just treating your injury but in the prevention of future problems.

Other services in Surrey

Massage

• Metafit, Guildford
• Samantha Bliss Massage, Camberley

Nutritionist/Dietician

• The Balanced Body Nutrition, Esher
• Eat Well Nutrition, Milford and Guildford
• Elemental Nutrition, Kingston on Thames
• Elmbridge Nutritional Therapy, Walton on Thames and Molesey
• Energise Nutrition Ltd, Woking
• Foods For Life, Croydon
• Good Choice Nutrition
• Healthy Influence
• Individual Nutrition, Godalming, Horsham & Cranleigh
• Judith Reid Nutrition, Dorking
• Melanie Simcock Nutritional Therapist, Guildford
• Nutrition at Work, Carshalton
• Optimum Nutrition 4 U, Horley
• Wellbeing Nutrition, Cobham

Podiatry

• A to Z Chiropody, Croydon
• Ablefeet, Walton On Thames
• Advanced Footwear Group, Dorking
• Alexander Hamilton Podiatry, Walton
• Centre 4 Feet, Lingfield
• Chiropody @ MobiFEET
• Croydon Chiropody & Podiatry Centre
• Foot Health Centre, Redhill
• Footmech, Reigate
• Foot Mechanix, West Byfleet
• The Foot Space, Morden
• Footwise UK, Guildford
• Footzone Podiatrists, Redhill & Reigate
• Good's Podiatry & Footcare, Camberley
• Guildford Foot Clinic
• Park Road Podiatry, Redhill
• The Podiatry Clinic, Horley
• Sally Pembery Associates Ltd, Esher
• Surrey Foot Care, Beddington
• Waverley Farnham Foot Clinic, Farnham

Physiotherapists

• Allen Physiotherapy, Guildford
• Ashtead Chartered Physiotherapy & Osteopathy Service
• Avenue Physiotherapy & Sports Injury Clinic, Camberley
• Body Factor, Chertsey
• Care for Health, Godalming & Guildford
• Citisport Physiotherapy, Epsom
• Clinic 21, Surbiton
• Dorking Physiotherapy Clinic
• Egham Sports Injury & Traditional Acupuncture Centre
• Farnham Physiotherapy & Sports Clinic, Farnham
• Healthflex Physical Therapy Centres, Haslemere
• Horley Physiotherapy ClinicEpsom Physiotherapy and Sports Injury Clinic
• Kingston Physiotherapy, Kingston Upon Thames
• Linda Stevenson Physiotherapy, Surbiton
• Meyer & Associates Physiotherapy, Weybridge
• Nutwood Therapies, Brockham
• One Health Physiotherapy, Wentworth
• Optimum Fitness, Guildford
• Parkview Back Pain & Sports Injury Clinic, Reigate
• The Physio Company, Claygate
• Physio 1 to 1, Godalming
• Physio Plus, Ewell
• PhysioT, Walton on Thames
• The Physiotherapy & Sports Injury Clinic Epsom
• The Physiotherapy & Sports Injury Practice
• Sanderstead Physiotherapy, South Croydon
• Scorpio Clinics, Virginia Water & Egham
• Surbiton Physiotherapy & Sports Injury Clinic
• Surrey Physiotherapy, Wallington & Croydon
• Sutton Sports Physio
• Weyside Physiotherapy, Chobham

If you offer a serivce to runners in Surrey and would like to be included on this page, please contact us.