Eden Runners Juniors

We welcome young people of all abilities, aged 8 to 17 and encourage a positive attitude and commitment. We promote our young members to represent Eden Runners competitively.

Parents should contact our membership secretary via this link Anna if you wish to join (though we usually have a waiting list). Priority is given to the children who have been on the waiting list for the longest time as spaces become available.

The subscription is £30 for one child, £50 for two siblings and £60 for three siblings. Payment is due twice yearly in April and October. The fees support the operation of the club and we work to keep them low.

Each week, you will need to come in comfortable clothing to train in, suitable footwear, a waterproof jacket if the weather is bad (we run in all weathers) and very importantly, plenty of water to drink. If you are running outside in the colder months, you may also need a hat and gloves. HiViz clothing is a requirement for all running during darkness.

Each week, you will be grouped by age and also by whichever activity you want to take part in, particularly during the summer season as we focus mostly on track events such as sprinting, long jump, high jump and javelin. There are lots of games involved for the younger age groups!

All of the adults who contribute to Eden Runners Juniors, do so completely voluntary. The group would not exist if these people did not offer their time, energy and experience for free. All of the coaches are happy to do this and expect commitment from members in return. (All of our coaches are DBS checked and suitably qualified). It is a condition of membership that all athletes and parents are respectful and supportive of other athletes as well as coaches and helpers. Inappropriate behaviour will not be tolerated and may result in exclusion from the club.

We are always seeking offers of help from parents or carers. If you feel you can offer help in any way or would like to become more involved with coaching the children, please speak to one of the coaches on club night. The more adult support we have, particularly in the form of coaches and helpers, the better the quality of training we can offer to the children.

We want you to take your training seriously whilst at the same time having fun and maintaining your interest in running, jumping and throwing. We encourage children to enter and compete, representing Eden Runners in The Cumbria League – Cross Country and Track & Field Athletics. There are competitions for beginners where anyone can join in and others which you must be selected for. Every Junior can take part and we especially welcome any youngsters who would like to take part for the first time.

The Cumbria Track League is a good introduction to competition and it can be fun to better your own time and compete against yourself at these events. All that is needed is a positive attitude to give it a go. While if you give the Cumbria Cross Country League a go you’ll be amazed at how racing improves your performance.

Club vests must be worn in competitions: buy, beg or borrow one (but do not steal)! If you wish to buy Eden Runners Vests please contact Claire Hebdige before or after the Thursday session.

With Eden Runners Juniors you will have the opportunity to take your training and competition as far as you wish – we have had several members who have competed internationally, with a Great Britain vest!

We expect all children to wait at the end of training for a quick debrief. This only takes a few minutes and will have information of events and competitions taking place. We also expect parents to be present at these debriefings so they can hear information first hand.

Finally, if you choose to leave the club, please inform the membership secretary. This allows us to keep the waiting list time short. It will be assumed that children have left the club if they have not attended for five consecutive weeks. (Obviously if there is good reason to be absent for a consecutive period of weeks, e.g. holiday, illness etc there will be no problem, but you must let us know).

We cannot hold places for children who are temporarily attending other clubs. We cannot hold places for children who want to have a term off. We always have children on the waiting list desperate for a place.

Please do not hesitate to speak to any of the coaches if you have any queries.