Welcome to Ripon Runners
Ripon Runners was founded in 1985 as road running began its extraordinary ascendancy from the sport of eccentrics to probably Britain’s most participated in athletic activity. The club was started by local milkman Cameron Weatherburn, who came up with the idea after he took up running with a small group of fellow enthusiasts from the City. One of the original members was Monty Munson who became a successful veteran competitor and dedicated club stalwart serving as the club’s first President for many years. Another early member was Rodney Mills who found new fame in his senior years as the European over 70 indoor champion at 400 metres and a few year later achieved the crown of World over 80 outdoor champion at 800 metres.
The club meets twice a week: on Tuesday and Thursday at 6.30.
Tuesday is the busier club night, with runners splitting into compatible groups, from absolute beginners to those with head torches who set off around Studley Park in the dark! New members are placed in a group with whom they can run comfortably.
On Thursday evenings, we have run Club training sessions which are open to all abilities. Many a member has seen their times improve dramatically after these regular sessions with our club coaches. Training is designed for all standards of runner, beginner to elite.
Our base is Ripon Rugby Club, which is on Mallorie Park Drive, Ripon. There are showers available for our use and even more important – the Rugby Club has a bar, which is open after running on Tuesday and Thursday.
The membership covers runners of all ages with the number of women members now exceeding that of the men. The variety of events that we participate in can be gauged by reading the reports section, but from its origins, as an almost pure road running club, we now have regular fell runners, ultra runners and increasingly trail running has become popular.
To keep our membership fees low we organise two races a year, the famous Jolly Holly Jog, a 10k event always held between Christmas and New Year and the Ripon 10 mile, which for the last few years has been in May. Because members are always required to help with these events we ask that they don’t participate, unless providing a stand-in helper.
The club organises social events such a pub nights but with a run of course! Weekend runs have proved popular with a hostel stay somewhere in the Dales or the Lake District.
Ripon Runners has an increasingly enthusiastic and successful junior section under the stewardship of Helen Cox. The juniors meet at 5.15 pm on Tuesdays, also at the Rugby Club.
There is no need to worry about membership of the club until you have tried us out so come down one Tuesday for a run and maybe a drink afterwards to see if Ripon Runners is for you.
We look forward to meeting you.
Karen Lennox – Chair (2024 – )