Clubs in Ribble Valley area?

Hello

I'm thinking of joining a club with a view to entering some races this year.

I live in Clitheroe and reckon there are (at least) three local-ish clubs to choose from: Clayton le Moors, Bowland and Settle.

What is to choose between them, if this isn't a daft question?

I know that Clayton is bigger (more prolific?) than the other two and a bit closer too. On the other hand, I'm drawn to the Bowland hills... But then I grew up near Settle, so for sentimental reasons...

Any advice -and insider knowledge -would be helpful!
Cheers.

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Originally Posted by eardstapa

Hello

I'm thinking of joining a club with a view to entering some races this year.

I live in Clitheroe and reckon there are (at least) three local-ish clubs to choose from: Clayton le Moors, Bowland and Settle.

What is to choose between them, if this isn't a daft question?

I know that Clayton is bigger (more prolific?) than the other two and a bit closer too. On the other hand, I'm drawn to the Bowland hills... But then I grew up near Settle, so for sentimental reasons...

Any advice -and insider knowledge -would be helpful!
Cheers.

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First off you don't have to join a club to enter any races. Settle Harriers are a good bunch and tend to run all over the place, mainly because their members live all over the place. I used to run with them occasionally but can't nowadays make their training evenings. I know one or two of the Bowlanders slightly and they seem a good lot too; what Bowland might lack in hills it more than makes up for with bogs. As for the CLM lot, I know not very much about them at all, other than they always seem to be running on Pendle. That said running on Pendle all the time may say something about them, I'm not sure.... :)

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Originally Posted by Stolly

First off you don't have to join a club to enter any races.

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Yes, you're right of course. There are other reasons too: training sessions, nice vest to wear, etc :)

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Originally Posted by Stolly

That said running on Pendle all the time may say something about them, I'm not sure.... :)

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Haha - Yes, I think I know what you're getting at! Thanks for the advice; you've given some helpful pointers there.

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Originally Posted by eardstapa

Hello<BR><BR>I'm thinking of joining a club with a view to entering some races this year.<BR><BR>I live in Clitheroe and reckon there are (at least) three local-ish clubs to choose from: Clayton le Moors, Bowland and Settle.<BR><BR>What is to choose between them, if this isn't a daft question?<BR><BR>I know that Clayton is bigger (more prolific?) than the other two and a bit closer too. On the other hand, I'm drawn to the Bowland hills... But then I grew up near Settle, so for sentimental reasons...<BR><BR>Any advice -and insider knowledge -would be helpful! <BR>Cheers.

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The Bowland lot are a very friendly club, with club challenges on Pendle on Tuesday night and Parlick on Wednesdays nights, followed by a few beers in a local hostelry.These nights often attract 20- 30 or so people all heading off on different challenges running all over the place but always meeting up in the pub later. They even have a bat winter league (which had 110 different entrants last winter).The Bowland fells can be boggy but to say that they're lacking in hills is a bit misleading.There is plenty to go at and they get very remote, but best of all they are very quiet, somedays you can be out for 5-6 hours and not see anyone other than on Parlick/Fairsnape. Have a look at their website (especially the Blog) and get in touch, turn up and make yourself known, you will be more than welcome. http://www.bowlandfellrunners.org.uk/

Thanks for taking the time to reply. Their website is v enticing, especially the long distance challenges part, and I agree that there is something special about the Bowland fells. A well-kept sort-of-secret! I', going to look into the club challenges - thanks for the tip. Looks like a good way to get started!
Cheers

Here, here, Willicopter. I ran U/A for 20 years; but throwing my lot in with Bowland, 10 years ago, was my best fellrunning move.

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Originally Posted by wheezing donkey

Here, here, Willicopter. I ran U/A for 20 years; but throwing my lot in with Bowland, 10 years ago, was my best fellrunning move.

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But does Bowland agree with you :)

NB. Just remember there are other options. CLEM and Bowland are great for the fells, but of you want a bit of variety and access to coaches then we at Blackburn aren't that far away and have quite a few coming down from the RV area - in fact as far away as Dunsop Bridge.

Haha, I wasn't dismissing the whole of Bowland for a lack of hills; they are a right bugger though to get to from Settle and they're also not particularly dog friendly, otherwise I'd make the effort more often. The mountain bikers have ruined Gisburn Forest, the nearest bit of Bowland I used to visit.

Hi,
so, which club did you join? I live in Waddington and I'm looking to start fell running and am looking for a club or other runners to go out running/staggering with. Any advice greatly received!

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Originally Posted by Jason

Hi,
so, which club did you join? I live in Waddington and I'm looking to start fell running and am looking for a club or other runners to go out running/staggering with. Any advice greatly received!

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With Bowland and Clayton on your doorstep, do you mind if I ask why start another club?

Misread sorry pal - :P

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Originally Posted by Jason

Hi,
so, which club did you join? I live in Waddington and I'm looking to start fell running and am looking for a club or other runners to go out running/staggering with. Any advice greatly received!

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I'm from Waddington, so chose Bowland Fell Runners, as Waddington is in the Forest of Bowland ;)

Its pure fell as well.

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Originally Posted by ukhursty

I'm from Waddington, so chose Bowland Fell Runners, as Waddington is in the Forest of Bowland ;)

Its pure fell as well.

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I agree and i'm trying to arrange going out on a run this week, maybe Wednesday, depending whats on.

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Originally Posted by Jason

I agree and i'm trying to arrange going out on a run this week, maybe Wednesday, depending whats on.

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Paddy's Pole Tuesday night 7:15 pm, Wednesday night is club night from fell foot (Parlick). Plenty of people out from 6:00 onwards.

Hi Jason
I'm still sitting on the fence about this as it's a tough choice! Clayton and Bowland both seem very prolific: you see a lot of their vests at races. On the other hand I've run in a couple of races organised by Settle recently and very much enjoyed those experiences - also I do really like the terrain over that way... So, no closer really! Surprising there isn't a club here in Clitheroe, isn't it?

Hi eardstapa,
Its surprising there are no running/athletics or triathlon clubs round Clitheroe, theres only been a Cycling club for the last couple of years. I went out with Bowland FR last week, up Parlick fell, it was a good run. They were all really friendly and made me feel welcome. more importantly, I went out with a couple of the lads and they took it easy on me! Going out again on Wednesday night.

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Originally Posted by Jason

Hi eardstapa,
I went out with a couple of the lads and they took it easy on me! Going out again on Wednesday night.

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That sounds really encouraging. I'll have to get in touch with them and arrange something similar.

Clayton will be running from Worston (Calf's Head for 7pm) on Tuesday evenings in July if you want to check them out. I won't be there (coaching juniors over at Worsthorne) but just turn up and badger someone and hopefully they'll look after you.

I'll be honest (as a Clayton member!), we sometimes let ourselves down when it comes to prospective new runners. Individually I can't fault anyone but collectively we don't have any structured coaching on the fells and it really shows when prospective new members turn up to training, especially anyone with ..ahem.. lesser ability. Sessions tend to be derived from the 'rip each others legs off for 90 minutes' school of fell running.

You'll need to be pretty self confident and pro-active but if you're willing to stick with it then you'll get some excellent tough sessions and your running will progress rapidly.

And yes, they do run on Pendle far too much!

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Originally Posted by eardstapa

Surprising there isn't a club here in Clitheroe, isn't it?

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There has been in the past. In the late 70s there was a breakaway club I think from BBH but much before my time. My wife had a friend with them, Ribble Valley as they were called.
But the problem for a town like Clitheroe is that it is too small to really sustain a club. If you like fell you have CLEM and Bowland. If you like Road you have CLEM, ACCY and Blackburn and if you like track and field you have BBH, Hyndburn RV AC and Pendle.
So why does anyone in Clitheroe have a need to establish their own club? There are too many clubs already in a 10 mile radius.

My recommendation would be CLEM.

They have strength in depth, plenty of training options for seniors and they also affiliate to EA and affiliate their athletes so you can enter any race with confidence that you are insured and eligible to take part.
They also get involved with road and Cross Country with give extra options thatyou might not appreciate at first but are really useful to improve your fell running.

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Originally Posted by Witton Park

But the problem for a town like Clitheroe is that it is too small to really sustain a club.

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Careful here WP - our club is from a town half the size of Clitheroe and we've just put in two teams for the relays in October!!

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Originally Posted by AndyA

Clayton will be running from Worston (Calf's Head for 7pm) on Tuesday evenings in July if you want to check them out. I won't be there (coaching juniors over at Worsthorne) but just turn up and badger someone and hopefully they'll look after you.

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STOP PRESS;

Actually I will be at Worston this coming tuesday; late change of venue for the juniors. If you are wanting to come and need an intro; I'm the tall skinny one in baggy Nike shorts, surrounded by kids, introduce yourself and I'll try and match you up with a senior group that won't leave you behind.

Andy.

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Originally Posted by Welsh Harrier

Careful here WP - our club is from a town half the size of Clitheroe and we've just put in two teams for the relays in October!!

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I understand what WP is saying. It's not that Clitheroe is too small as such (it's larger than plenty of other towns that have clubs of their own) but that there are others close enough to make it unnecessary.

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Originally Posted by AndyA

Sessions tend to be derived from the 'rip each others legs off for 90 minutes' school of fell running.

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Hi Andy - sorry I missed this at the time. It does sound a bit intimidating, but maybe that's appropriate! I'll definitely think of jogging along one Tuesday evening.

I'm guessing this entails grinding up Mearley Clough...?!

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Originally Posted by eardstapa

I'm guessing this entails grinding up Mearley Clough...?!

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Ooh, probably!

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Originally Posted by AndyA

Ooh, probably!

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You're making it sound too tempting!
Well, my legs are still a bit wooden from the weekend, but you never know, I might be able to jog across to Worston and say hello...