Feedback from members:
I love how inclusive striders is….. there is something for everyone and no one is made to feel silly, left out or not good enough because everyone is welcome. The camaraderie is second to none, giggles galore and I personally have made so many friends. Striders meant I had someone with me throughout every training run for the London marathon come rain or shine, the support was fantastic on the lead up and on the day…. members have picked me up from low places and really put me back on the running path! The club is just purely fantastic !! But that’s just my opinion!
So myself and my mum decided to join Striders after a takeover at parkrun, planning to just go to one free session, expecting to be the slowest and maybe never go again. Dad totally refused and didn’t think he would keep up. Cue a year later, and 3 of us in full strider kit! Dad running sub 30 parkruns and mum running 100 miles a month! Striders has picked me up on the worst days, and made good days even better. I’ve never regretted a Strider run. Even when I’ve not enjoyed the running itself, the support, advice and team mentality is incredible! You make genuine friends at Striders with people you’d never meet otherwise. Love our red army!
The main thing that attracted me to Striders was it seemed to fit in the gap between a newbie and a super serious runner. Middle ground is sometime a good thing. If I want to go for a casual run I can, no pressure to just enjoy the company and the air in my lungs, if I want to push myself and train hard then that’s available too. I love how supported the group makes you feel, all walks of life, genuinely caring whatever fitness level/speed you are at.
I cant fault Striders at all. I started running 18 months ago with the sole purpose of completing VLM 19 and I trained mostly alone other than a few runs with a couple of friends from work. I didn’t really enjoy the training and motivation through the winter was extremely hard to find. After VLM I lost my running mojo completely but my wife said it would be a shame to let it all go to waste so I contacted Striders and went along to a training evening and haven’t looked back since. I’ve made loads of friends and actually enjoy and look forward to every run. I’m doing VLM 20 now and really looking forward to the training with the help and support of the club.
I’ve joined in preparation for VLM 20! It’s been fantastic so far for me. Started with 0-5k and now somehow out running 7 miles!It’s the support from everyone on runs that is fantastic and actually I wouldn’t be getting out that door without striders at all! Brilliant value for money!
I joined Striders a year ago because the training days suited me better than my previous club.I have loved every single run! I enjoy the varying training distances and speed, love the camaraderie, support and friendliness of the group. I particularly enjoy the whole group runs and the Monday runs which is a mix of speed and endurance without really knowing it.
I joined to keep running and get fit. And along the way I have meet some amazing people. The support and understanding is amazing. I love Striders!
I joined because there is no way I would drags myself out for a run on dark evenings by myself. I love that there are pace groups for the slower runner like me and also other types of training sessions. I also like that there are runs with an earlier start time than some other running clubs.
I joined Striders after finding out about it at Ashford parkrun. Everyone is so friendly. The variety of runs suits me perfectly. Have made some great friends, including people I went to school with over 40 years ago. Also the membership cost is amazing. If I don’t go for a few weeks I don’t beat myself up that I’m wasting money. Im proud to wear my Striders sweatshirt. I’m always recommending the club to friends and family
The welcome was/is still great. Having only joined and run for a few weeks I fell over and injured myself!! When I fell the support and offers of help were very supportive and gratefully receivedI have started running again- a little apprehensive but have been so supported its very encouraging and welcomed. A big thank you to Striders and I feel proud to wear your colours and support others as I have received support from ‘members’ who accept and understand without necessarily knowing me individually. A BIG THANKU
I joined striders as I needed to get some miles in my legs ahead of a spring marathon . I can honestly say I would have not completed it without the support and encouragement of the club . It got the fun into running for me and I’ve made friends for life , running the Lydd 20 miler in stupid winds was awful but having team members wait to just give you that last push meant the world .. love Striders.
As a nurse I met a Strider when he was admitted. His wife told me what a wonderful group of people the Striders were and so I turned up for a Monday night session and haven’t looked back.