“Happy Feet Runners”
This is the social running group of Brecon Athletic Club. We have a team of run leaders that are Welsh Athletics ‘Leaders in Running Fitness’ qualified.
Here is a welcome message to you all from Kirsty Wade - our Club President & Welsh Athletic Star ! video
Happy Feet Runners Information
Happy Feet Runners is affiliated to Brecon Athletic Club. We cater for all abilities, from novice runners who can manage a 5km or more run, to those that have been running for a little while and enjoy the company of others for their runs.
We meet twice a week outside Brecon Job Centre, Tuesday and Thursday at 6pm – 7pm. There are three ability groups, following a pre-determined route with Welsh Athletics leaders in running fitness and back markers. We post our route maps and chats on a What’s App group, for anyone that wishes to sign up.
Club runs are training sessions, not races. It is good training practice to run below your fastest speed. Whilst it is great to do fast times and segment personal bests, this is not the main purpose of club runs.
Group A: Couch to 5km recent graduates and steady pace runners with plenty of ‘catch up’ where needed. Distance Approx 5.5km.
Group B: More experienced runners that have a faster pace and prefer not to have ‘catch up’ stops. Distance Approx 7.5km.
Group C: Steady runners that need occasional catch-up breaks who wish to run a little faster and longer than Group A. Distance Approx 7.5km.
We also have a ‘Hill’ and ‘Track’ session once a month, and this gets posted on our What’s App group.
No one EVER gets left behind! We finish our sessions with a short stretch session at the start/finish point.
Guidelines for all runners
Please take responsibility for being fit, warmed up and suitably dressed (for the temperature and in case of rain).
If you have any medical conditions eg: Asthma, bee allergy or diabetes, please ensure you share this information with the run leader.
All runners are encouraged to put their medical information and next of kin contacts on their phone (see link below).
iPhones & Samsung phones allow this information to be accessed by others from the home screen in an emergency.
Wear reflective clothing and wear headtorches/lights during hours of darkness.
All runners must be responsible for their own road safety.
Where runs cross a road at a Pedestrian Controlled Crossing (PCC) we will use these as a catch up point.
Runners will regroup with their front and rear marker run leaders and cross as a group using the safety of the red light afforded by the PCC.
Please do not wear headphones unless they are bone conduction ones. You need to hear if the run leader shouts an instruction.
Look to place yourself in the appropriate group based on your ability, fitness, and the type of training you want to do on that occasion.
Do not run if you are ill or injured. Those recovering from injury should join the beginner’s group or a slower group than usual.
Inform the run leader of any illness or injury concerns you are aware of.
Stay within close contact of all other members unless a split has been agreed with the run leader.
Warn other runners around you of any impending hazards (obstacles, traffic, bikes, holes, animals etc)
Look out for, and encourage, the other runners within your group, particularly new participants.
Look out for those who are falling back or consistently at the back. This will require looking behind occasionally.
If you are struggling, or feeling unwell, inform the run leader so they can take appropriate action.
Notify the run leader if you are stopping or leaving the run for whatever reason (or if that’s not possible, another member of the group)
If you sustain an accident during the run, please inform the run leader immediately.
Useful Links
General Guidance for pedestrians - https://www.highwaycodeuk.co.uk/rules-for-pedestrians.html
Crossing the road - https://www.highwaycodeuk.co.uk/rules-for-pedestrians-crossing-the-road.html
Using crossings - https://www.highwaycodeuk.co.uk/rules-for-pedestrians-crossings.html
Welsh Athletics guidance - https://www.welshathletics.org/en/blog/post/running-in-the-dark-safety-tips
The Running Channel - Everything you need to know about running in the dark. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fA21WOBxBKo
iPhone- https://support.apple.com/en-gb/guide/iphone/iph08022b192/ios
Couch to 5km
Are you interested in running/jogging for health and fitness, but don’t know how to start? Couch to 5km training is great for beginners or those returning to running. Make friends and have fun!
Brecon AC ‘Happy Feet Runners’ is now launching its 6th course for adults over 16. Everyone is supported to go at their own pace. Our course is led by trained volunteers and licensed Welsh Athletics Running Fitness Coaches.
We get lots of good feedback!
" I loved the course. All of the leaders were very encouraging and supportive, thank you all. This is a fantastic opportunity for those who want to get fit, help with their mental health or meet new friends, please keep doing it."
Our next course will start Monday 23rd September 2024. MONDAYS and THURSDAYS 6.00 – 7.00pm for 10 weeks. This course takes place at Penlan Athletic track for the first 5 weeks then at another location in Brecon for the last five weeks. We conclude with a celebration 5km or parkrun event.
The course will cost £20.00, which also provides social membership of Brecon AC
To register on the next ‘Couch to 5km’ course, please email happyfeetbac@gmail.com .