Ambleside Junior Runners

Welcome to Ambleside Junior Runners, the junior section of Ambleside AC.  We are a young people’s fell running group which trains and races throughout the year.  Our aim is to deliver enjoyable training sessions so that children get fit, develop good running and training habits and learn to have fun with running, which will hopefully last a lifetime. 

At present the club is for 7 – 12 year olds but we plan to increase the age limit to 18 as soon as we are able. 

If you are interested in joining please contact us to find out when our next Induction Evening is.

Due to the popularity of the Junior Runners we now have a waiting list. 

Contact:

Kate Ayres: kate.ayres@hotmail.co.uk
mobile: 07738 274107

Eleanor Knowles: eleanor@ambleside2.demon.co.uk 
mobile: 07851 400924

Forms and Letters:

• Contact and Consent Form  CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD

• Welcome Letter   CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD

• Parental Responsibility Letter  CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD

COST:

The cost of each session is £1 (payable weekly) 

WHERE AND WHEN WE MEET:

Weekly sessions every Thursday

Start at 5.30pm

Finish at 6.30pm (approximately).

COACHES AND VOLUNTEERS (all Ambleside AC members)

The training sessions are run by Kate Ayres and Eleanor Knowles and helped by volunteers from Ambleside AC each week (all experienced runners).  The coaches and most of the volunteers are experienced in working with children either as teachers or within other areas of education.  Eleanor, Kate and Chris Waters are now qualified ‘leaders in running fitness’ and Eleanor and Kate are training for the Fell and Mountain Running Coach Award (UK Athletics Level 2). In the meantime we have the supervision of experienced and qualified coaches from Broughton Runners (a local junior running club also affiliated to Ambleside AC).

FIRST AID

We have coaches and volunteers who are qualified first aider’s and there will be at least one at the training sessions each week.  A first aid kit will be with us at all times.

Please read and compete our Contact and Consent form regarding accidents and injuries, and inform us of any medical conditions (i.e. Asthma) which we need to be aware of.  The form should be brought along to the first training session.

TRAINING SESSIONS

We vary the main session every week to make it fun but challenging for the children. Our main aims are to increase the general level of fitness, increase speed, develop strength and stamina, and also to teach good running technique.

Our training sessions start with a gentle warm up (slow running and dynamic stretching) with some drills to help running technique.  The main part of the session may involve running around circuits, up and down hills and relays. We conclude with a gentle jog or walk to cool down and some gentle stretching.

During the summer we use the University playing fields or Rothay Park and then weather permitting, we venture onto the slopes of Loughrigg.

In winter we use train on the rugby pitch, with an indoor session once every 3 weeks.

We end each session with refreshments.

COMPETITIONS AND RACES

Races give the children something to aim for and make the training sessions have a sense of purpose.  There are some great junior fell races in Cumbria which many of our junior members enjoy competing in.  Some are organised by Ambleside AC such as the Todd Crag races in April.  There is also the Kendal Winter League which is organised by Helm Hill Runners – a great series of races for children running from January to April every year.

We hold a club championship every year with a trophy for the winner of each age category. 

We encourage all children who train with Ambleside junior runners to join the club (free membership for under 18’s) and compete, racing in our club vest (dark blue with a green horizontal band) which is available free.

WHAT TO WEAR:

Footwear:  a pair of well-fitted running trainers.  This is the most valuable item for anyone who runs.  They should be suitable for off-road running (i.e. with a good tread to stop slipping on steep ground, rocks and wet grass) except for when we train indoors in the winter when ordinary sports trainers are fine.

Please ask us if you are unsure and also purchase from a running shop (we can give you a list) who will give you good advice and make sure they fit well and suit the purpose. 

Fell-shoes are specialist running shoes with a big tread and a lot of grip so are very useful for racing.  If your child is going to compete in races you may want to purchase a pair.

Clothing:

Summer and indoor sessions:

• Shorts and t-shirt/vest top

• Lightweight waterproof jacket for wet evenings

Winter:

• Leggings/track suit bottoms and long sleeved t-shirts

• Waterproof jacket, hat, gloves etc. for cold evenings.