In the Chasers we get involved in road running, cross country and trail running.   Every discipline has as much of a social aspect as a running one and everyone is celebrated for taking part.  Events are a great opportunity to be part of a team no-matter whether you are there for fun, competition, or both.  The Chaser team spirit is one of the most enjoyable parts of being in the club and you'll never fail to find a fellow Chaser, and receive a cheer, wherever you are in the world.

The club's main running discipline is road running and we’re keen to help runners of all abilities reach new heights through the range of sessions on offer.  Outside of our Marathon Club (which runs from January through until the spring marathons), you'll find a large turn out of Chasers at the Surrey Road League events and we try to field teams at the South of England Athletic Association Road Relays.

Local events popular with Chasers are hosted by Sri Chimnoy and RunThrough in Battersea Park and Clapham and we turn out teams at the 3 x 1 mile relays and three bridges relays.

Surrey Road League

These events over the spring and summer  are organised by other local running clubs in association with the Surrey County Athletic Association and they give you the chance to complete in age categories and the overall league.  You can take part is as many as you like and they include:

You need to sign up for the races individually and entry fees apply these vary for each event but all offer a £2 discount if you are affiliated with England Athletics.

The events have a great atmosphere and are suitable for runners of all abilities.  You get recognised for every placing in your age category with your best five results contributing to your overall score, so winning the league is possible for anyone.  As a club we've celebrated success in previous years winning both the men’s (2013 & 2011) and the women’s (2008 & 2007) leagues, but by far our biggest recognition comes from the cheering we give to each other.  The first 3 finishers contribute to the team score and many of the events also incorporate the Surrey Championships over a particular distance (Richmond Half Marathon, Dorking 10 Miles and the Richmond 10k).

South of England Athletic Association Road Relays

These relays involve the cream of the running crop.  They usually attract very strong fields and are therefore more suitable for the stronger runners in the club (sub 22 minute 5k for women and sub 18 minute 5k for men).  National championships are usually held a couple of weeks after the SEAA events, with qualification required only for the men’s team (the women automatically qualify):

The club handles entry to these events and you need to be affiliated to England Athletics to compete.  Further details on affiliation with England Athletics can be found here.

Are you ready for mud?

Cross Country (XC) is a great team event and a real highlight of the racing calendar for many of the club's members.  The Chasers are well known for their great camaraderie and it's always on display in abundance at these events.  We're not too bad at running either - the ladies team won the Surrey League in 2015/16, and the men successfully avoided relegation from the top division for the first time.

The Club’s XC running activity is primarily focussed on the following events, which typically run from October through to March:

• Surrey Cross Country League
• Surrey County Championship
• South Of England XC Championship
• National XC Championship

How do I get involved?

First of all if you are not affiliated with England Athletics, get signed up. 

For the league fixtures we set up facebook events for people to register.  When you arrive at the fixture your team captains will provide you with a race number on the day. For the other events, teams need to be declared in advance of the race. Keep an eye out for notifications from the team captains who will take responsibility for submitting the entry form. Please ensure that you arrive at the events in good time (no later than 30 minutes before the start) to ensure that there is sufficient time for you to collect your race number.

How much does it cost?

Surrey League fixtures are free to all club members (4 races). The County, Southern and National Championships cost between £4 and £6 to enter.

What distance are the races?

Men's = League fixtures are ~8km. The County, Southern and National Championships are held over distances ranging from 10km to 15km.

Women's = League Fixtures are between 6km and 8km. The County, Southern and National Championships are 8km

What do I wear?

A club vest is essential (there is usually someone with a spare vest so if you don't have one), and spikes are advantageous especially when the weather gets wetter from December (9mm and then 12 or 15mm spikes for very muddy conditions).  At most venues, the facilities are very basic so please come prepared.  There is usually access to public toilets but changing facilities can be very limited.  We usually leave bags grouped together near the start line but any valuables will be left at your own risk.  A change of clothes is strongly recommended, as is a waterproof cover for your rucksack - it is not unheard of for it to rain. 

Get in touch with your Team Captains:

Men's Captains: xcmens.chasers@gmail.com

• Captain: Gary Salmon
• Vice-Captain: Sam Robinson 

If you haven't tried trail running before then you're in for a real treat... There's unbeatable scenery, varied terrain, great company and a very relaxed, sociable training environment (plus lots of cake). We aim to help make trail running as accessible as possible and actively support and encourage participation in social training runs as well as a wide range of trail and fell races. 

Training

With most of our members taking advantage of the club's comprehensive training schedule during the week, we tend to leave the dedicated trail running to the weekends.  A message is usually posted on the club's Facebook forum during the week and we make plans from there. 

In terms of training locations, Wimbledon Common, Richmond Park , and the North Downs Way are some of our particular favourites, but we are always exploring new trails and routes.

Races

We choose a variety of events throughout the year to enjoy some racing. If the events are near London they can be done in a day, but if they are further afield we usually hire accommodation and make a weekend of it.

The Social Bit

One of the most important aspects of trail running is of course the social aspect, which more often than not involves refuelling with lots of cake!  Most of our longer social trail runs and weekends away involve plenty of opportunities to get to know each other and talk trails – whether over food, a hard-earned drink, or both.