Leader’s blog – Oct ’24 Leader’s Evening

Anyone can give leading a go! We always have a chat to new leaders to make sure they understand what leading entails at HPH and to answer any questions. For this reason, it is best if you start leading once you’ve been to club sessions regularly for a few months. However, this is really case-by-case, for example, you may have experience leading at other clubs or have a leading/coaching qualification already.

There is no ‘official’ paperwork needed to become a leader – someone from the committee would have a chat with you to make sure you understand what the role of a leader is and answer any questions you may have. We do expect all members to be signed up to England Athletics’ code of conduct and, if you coach, lead, or volunteer for the club, you should also be signed up to the volunteers and/or coaches code of conduct (where applicable).

We also support members in obtaining a qualification from England Athletics including “Leading in Running Fitness” – the club will cover the cost of the course in return for you leading for the club. Do get in touch with us if you are interested in this.

This is a common worry for new leaders – but it needn’t be! Each group does have an advertised pace bracket, but this is a target, rather than a requirement. It is far more important to keep your group together than to stick to the advertised pace (see next Q for tips on this!).

For instance, if you set off a little too fast, but your group is sticking with you, then no worries! Also – it is good practice to keep checking in with your group and if someone reports they are struggling with the pace, just slow down a bit.

If you really struggle with pace, you can always get a regular from the group to set the pace – ask them to run beside you at the front at the pace they think is suitable for the group.

There are lots of tactics you can use to keep a group together – often necessary when you’re leading larger groups:

If someone is really struggling with the pace, sometimes it is best to arrange for someone to run back with them to The Edge or arrange for them to get a lift or taxi.

It can be really useful to appoint someone as ‘backmarker’ – this person stays at the back of the group throughout the run. This allows the leader to quickly see where the back of the group is, and the backmarker can report to the leader if the group is struggling with pace or getting split up. Ideally, your backmarker would be someone who is really comfortable with the group pace so they don’t fall behind themselves, can talk to those around them and shout any messages forward to the group leader. If you have a big group – it can be good to arrange your backmarker in advance via the comments section on Spond.

You can ask other group members to set the pace at the front – this can be helpful for those struggling a bit with the pace. Alternatively, get the group to regularly loop – this is where the front of the group turn around and re-join the back of the group.

If you have a wide range of paces in your group, and the route is suitable for it, you can designate the next “meeting point” – where people can run on ahead if they want but meet again to re-group at a designated point. This tactic can also be used to “lead from the back” – you stay and support runners at the back, whilst letting runners at the front know where the next meeting point will be.

This is common for runners who may be new to the area – so it is a good idea to get comfortable with your surroundings before giving leading a go. The more sessions you attend, the more you’ll get to know popular routes for your group.

If you want to plot your own route – there are lots of online tools that you can use such as MapMyRun or Strava (there are lots more out there!).

We also have a route library on our website – from 4km to 16km for all times of year. Alternatively, just use a route that the group has done before or an out-and-back on Kirkstall road – no need to come up with something super creative!

Whichever you chose, it is best to choose a route you know really well for your first lead so you don’t have to think about it too much.

Our Tuesday group runs are set to 20 runners as default – but this can be easily changed! If you are more comfortable leading a smaller group, just let us know and we can change the group size on Spond.

Basically use common sense:

For minor injuries (e.g. cuts/grazes) think can the runner get back to The Edge on foot? Can they run or walk? If possible, get them back with the group (you may need to adjust pace to accommodate) or get a volunteer to walk back with them if not too far away. If they can’t walk or you are too far away, get a taxi back to The Edge – the club will reimburse taxis taken in emergencies.

In case of serious emergencies (e.g. a runner collapses) call an ambulance immediately – abandon the run and ask runners to make their own way home or to The Edge.

In all cases, never leave the injured runner alone, make sure someone accompanies them. If you, as the leader, stay with the runner, get another runner to volunteer taking the group back to The Edge or inform everyone to make their own way back.

Though rare, if you do have any incident on your run, please report it to the committee: via our online incident report form which can be found on our website under ‘club documents’ https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfAtSJ7fk4O2gyn2y0CSPvfQccz1GJ5oLgOmpMNqaoYrkNVLg/viewform

Remember you also have a group of experienced runners with you – you will be surrounded by support, you don’t have to solve every issue by yourself.

If you, or any runner, see anything that causes you concern at a club run or event (for example bullying/harassment) please raise this with our welfare officer who will deal with any reports in a confidential manner via – welfare@hydeparkharriers.co.uk