Your first Wednesday at Northampton Road
RunnersNo fear.
No fuss.
Just turn up.
You've thought about coming for a while. This page tells you exactly what happens, what to bring, where to park, who to look for — so when you turn up on Wednesday at 6:45pm, you'll feel like you've done it ten times already.
How the night actually goes.
Here's the rhythm.
pm
Arrive and park
Pull up at car park 2. Pay via Ringo app. Walk to Market Café/Senate building. Look out for the welcome team next to the Information Board. The evening’s route will be posted up for you.
pm
Warm-up
Warm ups will take place on the green area outside these buildings.
pm
Announcements
Weekly announcements and shout-outs.
The run
You choose your distance, run in groups of minimum of 3 (we will match you with somebody of a similar pace on your first time), and keep in your buddy groups for the run to stay safe and sociable. You choose if it’s a push-yourself tempo night or a steady chatty run.
Social
There’s usually a large group of us heading over to the Waterside bar after the run. No obligation, but it’s a nice way to make friends and carry on the social. First Wednesday of the month: we have our monthly meet-up at the bar where we make an extra effort to stay on and catch up with each other.
The things you're actually worried about.
We hear the same questions every time. Here are the answers — direct and honest, from people who've all been new on a Wednesday too.
?"I'll be the slowest."
Our current guide pace is 36 min for a 5km. We then run in groups of minimum of 3 so you will always have somebody with you for company and safety. If running 5k in 36 minutes is a stretch right now, get in touch and we'll keep you posted on our next coach-to-5k programme. Either way, no judgement.
?"I won't know anyone."
The welcome team specifically exists for this. Mention it's your first time when you arrive and they'll pair you with a group leader and a couple of returning members who joined the same way two months ago.
?"I'll need fancy kit."
Trainers and something you can sweat in is the entire kit list. You'll borrow a head torch from the welcome team in winter if you've forgotten one. Club vests come after you decide to join — and they're free with your first-claim membership.
?"I'm coming back after a break."
Pick the next group down from where you used to run, and have a quiet word with the group leader so they know. Three or four weeks of Wednesdays and you'll be back where you were. Almost every member here has been off-and-on at some point.
?"What if I run too fast for the group?"
Step up to the next group. Or, on club night, stretch out to the front of your current one — leaders generally let strong runners push, then circle back. Long-term, the longer-distance groups are full of friendly faces happy to be chased.
?"What if it rains?"
We run. Northampton's weather isn't dramatic enough to cancel a club night. If conditions are genuinely dangerous (ice, lightning, named storm), you will be contacted by WhatsApp in good time.
What to bring.
The whole list. Genuinely. Anyone who shows up with everything below is over-prepared.
What to wear
- Running shoes
- Comfortable running shorts or leggings
- T-shirt or long-sleeve — layers in winter
- Light running jacket if it's cold or wet
- Winter: hi-vis vest, head torch or chest light
In your bag
- Water bottle
- Phone — handy if you get separated
- A few quid for the bar afterwards
- Change of t-shirt for the social - changing facilities and showers available in the sports centre
Which group is yours?
We organise by distance, not pace — so every group runs at a range of paces, led and looped so nobody gets dropped. Pick the distance that suits you tonight; you can swap up or down any week, no fuss.
Getting there.
University of Northampton, Waterside Campus — NN1 5PH. Twelve minutes from the M1 (J15A), parking on-site, currently £1 after 5pm.
The essentials
University of Northampton, Waterside Campus, University Drive, Northampton NN1 5PH.
Car Park 2 (recommended) or Car Park 1 are currently £1 after 5pm on Wednesdays. RingGo app or on-site machines during the day.
The Market Café/Senate Buildings, just up from Car Park 2. Look for the welcome-team sign and the club vests.
Reserve your trial via the Join page — gives the welcome team a heads-up and lets us pair you with a returning member.
Look for the welcome team.
Look out for the Information board (signed) and you will find our welcome team. Tell them it's your first time — they'll match you with a group leader, a buddy, and (often) a hot tip about the route ahead. We've all done a first Wednesday.
Right then.
See you there.
Reserve your free trial — it gives the welcome team your name and means a familiar face is looking out for you when you arrive.
Reserve your Wednesday