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Jul 2023
5:49pm, 19 Jul 2023
13,113 posts
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D2
I used to find the idea of a running club intimidating as a new runner, how about advertising / offering beginners, improvers nights etc
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Jul 2023
6:49pm, 19 Jul 2023
7,554 posts
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um
Some good approaches already suggested - depending who you want to attract
Races, leaflets targetting unattached runners get you ready made runners.
As per D2, how about some 'social runs' - if you can make them sound interesting, sightseeing or different routes/themes, and as fast/competitive and also not so fast/social to attract locals. Maybe (quickly) a summer set of 4 or 5 weekly evening runs (while it's still light) with a bit of a chat session afterwards. Free, but with a strong invitation to join the club and keep going afterwards.
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Jul 2023
6:52pm, 19 Jul 2023
47,945 posts
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DocM
i do daytime sessions for our club. something for the stay at home parents and retired who might find it intimidating to join in with intervals and track sessions. We focus on enjoying being out and have a good chatter
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Jul 2023
6:59pm, 19 Jul 2023
29,354 posts
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fetcheveryone
Is your website or social media beginner friendly? Think of the sort of questions that newbies will ask eg will I be last / left behind / what is the slowest pace / what is a typical training session like / what is expected from me as a member. Think about testimonials from some of your more recent recruits too.
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Jul 2023
7:23pm, 19 Jul 2023
9,877 posts
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GordonG
One of our issues is that I would say our club isn't beginner-runner friendly, but also I'm not sure that's who the club wants to attract anyway. As I've said to them in the past: when I race I'm a middle of the packer. But at our club i'm one of the slowest males. Why aren't those who are slower than me in a race joining our club?
I think the answer is that the club is only really interested in people who can already run a 5K quicker than about 40 mins If the club wants to stick to that then clearly we're putting ourselves at a disadvantage but I'm unlikely by myself to be able to persuade the club to change that mentality. So we're stuck with trying to attract those who can run a bit already, which is why we're having difficulty recruiting, I think.
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Jul 2023
12:18pm, 20 Jul 2023
777 posts
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faithfulred
If you're going for the 'improver' rather than 'beginner' then maybe highlight your qualified coaches (if you have them of course!) and the different types of sessions you offer.
Maybe vary the routes you take. E.g., don't always run your long runs in the same place, as it might be too far for some (especially if they don't have a car).
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Jul 2023
2:36pm, 20 Jul 2023
2,440 posts
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MudMeanderer
May I ask a slightly different question to you. What's retention like? I'm particularly thinking of those who haven't been in the club for decades - if a new runner turns up, how long do they often stay a member?
I wonder if rather than trying to forcefully attract new members, you'd have more success if the club vest is regularly seen out there throughout the field on members happy to race in it. It may be a slower growth, but if unaffiliated runners start to see the vest around them in events, they're more likely to feel an honest sense of not being out of their depth.
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Jul 2023
3:24pm, 20 Jul 2023
9,881 posts
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GordonG
that's a good question MM. I *think* annual retention is generally OK but, over a longer period, i know the overall membership level has been slowly dropping over the years. It's made me wonder whether anyone at the club collects such stats - I'll investigate.
thanks again all for your really helpful thoughts and comments
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Jul 2023
3:27pm, 20 Jul 2023
9,882 posts
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GordonG
Actually, I'm wondering whether anyone knows of their/a running club developing a policy or programme or some kind of written plan, with specific actions to improve membership levels. Something more detailed than "we must improve membership numbers". I guess ultimately I'm looking for one of those I can read and use (and credit appropriately  )
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Jul 2023
3:52pm, 20 Jul 2023
949 posts
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Hertford Tiger
Round here a couple of running clubs have started evening 5k runs from pubs and encouraged people to stay for a drink/chat after the run. Looking at the size of the groups these seem very successful
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