Juniors
Ambleside AC Juniors
Thanks for visiting the Juniors pages of the Website! We’re the small, but thriving, junior fell running section of Ambleside AC. Here you’ll find lots of useful information about where we train, what to carry, juniors club champs, and our coaches.
History – Since starting in May 2011, Ambleside AC Juniors has attracted huge interest and now have approximately 100 members from the age of 8 (strict minimum age) to 17 years old. We train and race throughout the year on the fells and our aim is to deliver enjoyable training sessions to develop fitness, good running and training habits and to learn to have fun with running, which will hopefully last a lifetime.
Success – Several of the alumni have run for England, and each year a lot of the children earn their Cumbria vests for cross country, as well as wins in fell races for FRA, BOFRA, KWL, and others. Despite these successes, it’s our love of running in the fells that unites us most, and which is most gratifying for all.
Ethics – Our focus is on the following elements in descending order; 1) safety, 2) enjoyment, 3) performance. Safety encompasses helping children avoid over training and injury, teaching some basic mountain skills, and building resiliance on the fells in all weather conditions.
Ethos – Enjoyment is why we run, and we are super keen to start a love of running that lasts a lifetime. We are humble, and don’t take ourselves too seriously. Performance comes after the other two, rightly in last place. We are lucky to be a very competitive club, but results only come with safety and enjoyment first!
Weekly training
Sessions – We meet on Thursdays at Rothay Park 5.30 – 6.30pm. Each session costs £1. We have 5+ groups which train on and around the hills of Ambleside from late February to Christmas, and on Orrest Head / Phoenix track in January and February when there’s generally icy conditions on the fells.
Whistle – The session starts at the whistle, for the pre-training briefing, and at the end of the session can parents please collect your child from the park ensuring that their coach knows they have been collected. Note that we are only responsible for your child from the whistle until their return, so please supervise any playing before or after.
Parking – Parking for juniors can get busy and potentially dangerous near the park gates on Vicarage Road, or in the Parish Centre, so all parents are encouraged to use the free parking on Under Loughrigg near the bridge, just 200m across the park – Google Maps pin drop; https://maps.app.goo.gl/
