Follow the tips below to help ensure that not only you and everyone in the group have a safe and positive experience while out running, but also it will make the group leader’s life easier and help us not cause chaos in the local community!
Remember that your group leader is a volunteer who has agreed to set the pace and distance for the run and requires your support to ensure the safety of the group. Please be guided by your leader.
If you are leading a group, you may want to also check out the group leader tips.
If there are any incidents during a run, please report them back to the committee. You can do this by using the online incident report form.
Be Seen
- When running in the dark, always wear reflective high-visibility clothing.
- White and bright colours are not as visible as you’d think in the dark.
- You can buy inexpensive reflective vests to fit over your top.
- Keep a spare in the car just in case you forget.
- Consider a headtorch so you can see any obstacles and uneven surfaces better in low light.
Watch out for traffic
- Read and adhere to the Highway Code.
- Run on the pavement where possible.
- If there’s no pavement, keep to the right-hand side of the road so that you can see oncoming traffic.
- Be prepared to walk in single file, especially on narrow roads or in poor light.
- Keep close to the side of the road.
- It may be safer to cross the road well before a sharp right-hand bend so that oncoming traffic has a better chance of seeing you. Cross back after the bend.
- Look both ways before crossing roads, don’t just follow the person in front!
- Watch out for cars pulling in and out of driveways.
- Be aware of cyclists as well as cars. Be careful when running under canal bridges for oncoming bikes.
- When you see a hazard warn the other runners in the group, e.g. ‘car behind’, ‘keep left’, etc.
Be courteous
- Remember we have no right of way over any other member of the public.
- Shout ‘keep left’, ‘keep right’ to warn other runners in the group of upcoming obstacles and pedestrians.
- Slow down when running past horses and other animals, e.g. cows, dogs, etc.
- Run single file in busy areas.
- Thank any members of the public that move to the side or stop to allow you to safely pass.
- Take all rubbish back with you (e.g. used energy gel wrappers).
- Running with the club is a social activity, headphones are not allowed on club runs.
- You play a vital part in maintaining the club’s reputation as a friendly club!
Look after your group
- Everyone in the group shares responsibility for safety of the group.
- The ethos of our club is that no-one is left behind.
- We use the concept of the ‘mustering’ and ‘muster points’.
- Mustering is the concept of running back to the last person in the group so they aren’t left behind and the group is kept closer together.
- If a leader or another runner calls for a ‘muster’, turn round and run back to the last runner in the group.
- If a leader explains where the next ‘muster point’ is, when you reach that point, do the same as above.
- Don’t just stand and wait for them to catch up as it can be demoralising.
- If you are at the back, be aware of any runners behind you. Shout for a ‘muster’ if the group is getting separated.
- In the event of someone becoming injured a minimum of 2 people must stay with the injured member until help arrives.
- Ensure a few people in the group are carrying phones.
- Groups should be no larger than around 15 people. Any larger, then split the group into smaller groups for safety.
- Be guided by your leader.
Be vigilant
- Know your route/surroundings.
- Share your route and estimated return time with somebody.
- Change your routine: Don’t keep to the same routes and times.
- Run with a friend or in groups where possible.
- Avoid running alone in secluded areas or unlit areas.
- Stay aware. Avoid use of headphones and MP3 players when running on your own.
- Carry a mobile phone.
- If approached, do not confront the attacker.
- Get help at the earliest opportunity.