Our Training Groups
Tiptree Road Runners follows the England Athletics (EA) coaching structure and currently runs four ability-based groups at our Tuesday evening training sessions, each led by a qualified Run Leader (meet our Run Leader team). Thursday evening training is run as a single mixed-ability group.
Our training aligns with the following EA development stages:
- Fundamentals: agility, balance and coordination
- Foundation: running technique and endurance
- Event: 5km to marathon, road and trail
We welcome runners of all abilities. However, we do not currently have the resources to support complete beginners or those returning to running who do not yet meet the criteria below.
To help you enjoy training safely, we recommend that you are within the pace ranges shown for each group and can comfortably run the average mileage covered during a session.
Which group is right for me?
The guide below provides an indication based on your current 5km time (for example, parkrun). If you’re unsure which group would suit you best, speak to a Run Leader before training and we’ll help you choose the most appropriate group.
Group 1
Current 5km time: 29 – 35 minutes
Typical Tuesday session: 5 miles (8.0 km)
Typical 5km pace: 9:21 – 11:14 min/mile (5:48 – 7:00 min/km)
Group 2
Current 5km time: 25 – 29 minutes
Typical Tuesday session: 6 miles (9.7 km)
Typical 5km pace: 8:03 – 9:20 min/mile (5:00 – 5:47 min/km)
Group 3
Current 5km time: 23 – 25 minutes
Typical Tuesday session: 7 miles (11.3 km)
Typical 5km pace: 7:24 – 8:02 min/mile (4:36 – 4:59 min/km)
Group 4
Current 5km time: 17 – 23 minutes
Typical Tuesday session: 8 miles (12.9 km)
Typical 5km pace: 5:50 – 7:23 min/mile (3:24 – 4:35 min/km)
For safety and effective group management, runners should remain with their group so they can hear and respond to instructions from the Run Leader and supporting team.
To reduce the risk of injury, we recommend that, in addition to Tuesday training, members undertake weekly strength and conditioning work and run at least twice more during the week. One of these runs should ideally match or exceed the average mileage for their group at an easy pace.
When members are consistently achieving the average pace and mileage of the next group, they are encouraged to move up if they wish. Equally, members are welcome to move down a group at any time to accommodate weekend races, changes in fitness or personal training goals.