History
Merthyr Running Club was established in 2013 following funding from Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council and became affiliated to Welsh Athletics in the same year. MRC is a non-profit making organisation, community based with a friendly and welcoming atmosphere.
We currently have 70 plus members of all abilities who are supported by coaches, run leaders and volunteers.
Our Aims and Objectives
Merthyr Running Club is a social, friendly group who prides themselves on never leaving anyone behind. Our aim is to ensure that anybody who wants to run in a group feels welcome and safe to do so with us. We are very inclusive and welcome runners of all abilities, our friendly coaches will ensure you get the most out of your runs with us, whilst our club members will make sure you always have fun whilst doing it. Many of our runners have a wealth of running experience which they are willing to share with any other members. We provide three free weekly club runs to members but offer to buddy up and accompany members to other club runs to ensure they always have support in the local area. We are also very sociable and have cake and coffee after runs and a summer and winter social.
Can we help you?
We understand that people join fitness to achieve individual goals, but consistency and enjoyment are the staple to any improvement in fitness. Whether your aim is to get faster or just come and put the world to rights whilst running with good friends, Merthyr Running Club is the place for you.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Main Club night is on Thursday evenings at 6.00pm. However, we also have a training run at Merthyr College at 6.15pm on a Monday night and a social run on a Sunday at 9am which is usually 6-8 miles.
Usually at Rhydycar Leisure Centre – just outside the main entrance, if this is different, we post on
social media that week to update.
As we meet near the Leisure centre runners are able to access the toilets and showers pre/post run.
There are male / female changing rooms.
Yes, runners need to be 18+
We currently offer two run options on a Thursday night a 4-mile or 6 – mile run. Monday night we offer a beginners friendly run and you can do any distance. The Sunday run is usually 6-8 miles.
We frequently post on Facebook please feel free to like our page and receive our updates and join
our virtual running community.
It can vary, but usually pavement or trail
We are here for our members and any other people interested in running with others. We hope to
offer friendly, social running opportunities that encourage people to enjoy running with others.
However, we are a running club and although speed isn’t an issue we do aim to get everyone
running as opposed to walking our distances which start at 4 miles. If you cannot run 4 miles, we can
give you advice on where to start your running journey before joining us.
No – we encourage all runners to come along and give us a try and we only charge £1 a session.
It is either £1 a session or you could join for £30 a year (this will give you Welsh Athletics Affiliation
which can give you discounts for events and many other benefits)
No, you just need to turn up! We are always looking out for a new runner. Please let the run leader
know that you are new to the group, and they can introduce you to other runners. Also, if you want
a chat before please message the page and we can have someone answer any of your concerns or
queries.
We recommend that you wear clothes that you feel comfortable in. In the winter it is recommended
that you wear reflective clothing and is easy to see and a chest/ head light (these can be purchased
on Amazon for a reasonable price). In the warmer weather you may need to bring water.
We do however sell kit and encourage all our members to run in club colours to feel part of a team
on race day. Kit is available to purchase on our web site.
Yes – we organise an annual half marathon which takes runners down the historic Trevithick trail
and returns up the Taff trail.
We also have time trials on club night over 5-10k distances.
Yes, we are not just about running we are also very sociable. We have a summer and a Christmas
party; we also have open evenings for new members to mix. Every Sunday we have a coffee and
cake session after our run.
The club has a committee which is made up of volunteers who are all passionate about running. You
can see details of who is who on the Committee Page.
See our shop!
The club is committed to ensuring that all runners with the club feel comfortable and secure whilst
out running on organised runs. We appreciate that some runners may feel vulnerable when on their
own and for this reason we ensure that no runners are left behind on a run. We also insist that all
runners wear appropriate reflective clothing on dark evening runs and if they have any particular
concerns speak to the run leader for that run.
Sorry but no. No matter how well behaved your dog is, he/she is a potential trip hazard to other
runners and members of the public.
Sorry, but no. We run on open roads so for your own safety we prefer you not to use them. Any way
Club runs are intended to be social runs so ditch your headphones and put the world to rights with
your co-runners! You may also miss out on instructions from run leaders and we should be aware if
wearing headphones.
People
say
See what some of our members say!
Some of my favourite things about MRC is the Company, having a laugh and wearing the Vest!
There are many benefits for joining MRC including, companionship, meeting new friends, advice, improvement, come and try it, you will not be disappointed.
I’ve run on my own for years and I still go out and run on my own. I never thought a club would be for me. After meeting a few fellow runners, I reluctantly turned up for a session, ended up joining after a couple of weeks and bought the kit. I’m a plodder, I will never win a race, I usually end up as one of the last. But during the short time I’ve being with the club my endurance and speed has increased. I like knowing I can run with other people, run side by side with others, run nowhere near others, run in the front, middle or back of the group, chat if I want to or feel comfortable not chatting. The leaders are fab. The best bit (apart from the running) is that everyone is so friendly, and we don’t stop laughing. Running with the club is the highlight of my weeks running.
It’s nice to train with friends and like minded people we all help push and guide each other to be better. I joined for my mind soul and body! to feel good about yourself feel part of a family who is there to support you.
