All runners please note: Parts of the routes of many of the YTRRC races – and some club night routes – are on private land over which there is no public right of way and for which the organisers are grateful for the kind permission of the landowners concerned. It is often difficult to distinguish these parts of the routes as they are over well used tracks, trails and cattle or sheep paths. If runners wish to use these routes for recce or training purposes they should ensure that they will not be straying from public rights of way or, if they wish to do so, first obtain the consent of the landowner(s). Please note that as well as extending to the landowners the common courtesy of obtaining their permission this is a matter of personal safety. Further details of the parts of routes not on public rights of way and contact details for the landowners can be obtained from the relevant race director, available from the event page – see links at top of this page.

What holds people back from joining a running club?

What are they missing out on by remaining "unattached"? By going it alone?

Whether running purely for fun, for fitness or weight loss reasons or with some other objective, such as running a marathon, a running club can help in so many ways. You'll find it helps you keep up your enthusiasm and there is always someone around to talk to if you have running related problems. There's also that huge benefit of "feeling part of something" at running events and races.

So, what does the Yeovil Town Road Running Club have to offer?

Well, for a start we have club runs each Tuesday evening. These runs are led by experienced runners and there are distance and pace options to suit all.

There's a Beginner and Slower Runner Group at the Tuesday evening club runs to ease in those who don't feel confident or fit enough to join the main runs. There are also dedicated Beginner and Slower Runner Group longer runs each Sunday morning, speed training sessions on alternate Friday evenings  and designated races throughout the year.

Shortly after joining the club new member Sue Whaites said: "I have been to a couple of Tuesday runs so far and the atmosphere and friendship in the club is really great. It is such a change to find a road running club that is not elitist and genuinely encourages everyone to enjoy their running, at whatever level they are."

2011 sees the addition of the Members' 5k Handicap. This consists of a series of six races taking place at Yeovil Town Football Club, normally on the fourth Tuesday of each month (check club calendar), April to September inclusive, as an alternative to the club run on those evenings. For more detail see Members' 5k Handicap on the club championship page of this website..

On a Thursday evenings we hold pub runs, starting and finishing at various pubs in the area and many runners stay on for a meal afterwards. These are run as a social group, at the pace of the slowest, so suitable for all!

There are speed training sessions held at the Yeovil Athletic Arena every Friday evening. Several members of the club take part regularly and agree that the sessions are key to attaining improved race times. One of the main reasons that they are so successful is because they are suitable for all ages and abilities and with somewhat of a "mixed bag" at most sessions there is a real feeling of camaraderie and team spirit. The sessions are open to all, with a (very) small charge to non-members.

There are also several club hosted races throughout the year. Here you can put a little back in if you wish (there's no requirement to do so) by helping with the organization or marshaling on the day. Or, of course, you can take part, wearing the famous YTRRC vest!

The club draws up an annual schedule of championship races spread throughout the year with distances from 5 kilometers to half marathon (members are allowed to select their own marathon if they want to do one!). The club champions,  man and lady, are based on the best eight results in the championship races and there is a "points king" and "points queen" for the man and lady accumulating most points in all of the eligible races.

What else?

There's the "Real Runner Hat" awarded to Yeovil Town Road Running Club members completing their first competitive event. There's also the "Grand Slam Hat" awarded to members completing a race at "all the distances" - that's 5 kilometers, 10 kilometers, 10 miles, half marathon and marathon, - in a year, between the annual dinner/presentation nights held early in December. For 2011 there's also the "Super Slam Hat" which includes all of the "Grand Slam" Hat distances plus an ultra race.

A trip to Argentan, in France, the first weekend in October for their half marathon, seems to have become an annual event.

And on top of all that there's a social events programme too!

With all this how can you not join us? The current subscription rates are only £20 for the first year, which includes a club vest and membership of England Athletics, and £15 annually thereafter. E-mail Debbie Neal for more information or complete a membership form and send to her. Or why not come along to a few Tuesday evening club runs to get to know us first?