Lone wolves would like to run alone. Nothing is better than running for hours as a way to have some me time. There are many reasons for runners to join running groups. One of these reasons is the social experience. The best part about being a member of a running group is the connection. There are however some tips for you to consider to make sure that the running club will be consistent and steadfast in its thrusts for health.
It is important for you as the founder of a running club to poll the members of the group. You have to ask all the members the date, time, and location for a run that works best with their personal schedule. There are those who agree to an early morning sweat off exercise while others choose the afternoon run. A new club has to set two running days per week. One run is more serious and it is about getting it done the right way while the other one is more loose and fun; it should be more inclined to discovering new areas to run in.
You also need the drive and the persistence to achieve your goal. Don’t be easily discouraged if at first you only have a few attendees. Just keep on doing it. Eventually people will hear about you and what you are doing through word of mouth. It is a powerful way to network. Just make sure that you are visible. It is also good for you to set up a site for the running group. This will serve as the group’s online presence. You can place all the info regarding your runs, some tips, and photos of the group’s run. Social media platforms change fast and it is necessary for you to be consistent in what you communicate across all platforms. That’s why it is better to post in just one place. You can get a tool or software that can help you do this.
Once you have set up the site or the blog of your running club, it is also more encouraging to other runners for them to join the club if you keep on posting photos of the group’s runs. It can help to increase the group’s membership base. When internet users see your pictures and all the amazing places you ran on and lots of runners happy and smiling, they would see your running club as a fun and exciting group to run with. It shows a group of mixed people who like to run, be happy, and socialize. It also pays off if you cancel less of your runs. It should be on a rain or shine basis. If it gets too rough outside, you may opt to go to a garage instead or perhaps do some core exercises. This can help build the reputation of the running club as a consistent amenity. It feels good to know that even if a runner is not able to join the run, it won’t stop the rest of the group from running.
You should also consistently communicate especially when there are new people in the group. Communication has to be present all the time. Even if the running group has a weather-proof policy implemented, it is still necessary for you to blast the social media platforms that the run should push through even if the sky gets gloomy. You should also communicate the route, the distance that the group should cover, and the pace to follow. This will enable the newbies to wear the right attire and to prepare accordingly.
It is also highly important for you to select well and to communicate value to your sponsors. It doesn’t matter if you are after perks, funding, or exclusive discounts, it is necessary for you to come up with a strong proposal that is specifically tailored to every establishment you ask support from. You need to ask if the venue can hold community events or if they are involved with some nonprofit activities in the past. Regardless of whatever it is that you are asking from a business, always think of something that is of comparable value to them. You can start with brand recognition, promotions, increased sales, or simply printing the logo on the running shirt, or any other kind of acknowledgement. You will find only a few stores and commercial establishments that have budgets for philanthropic pursuits. You can’t expect monetary support from the usual pop and moms, but you should not also be afraid to ask for a full funding from the largest commercial companies you can turn to for sponsorship.
You might not think it’s necessary but you simply have to keep on recruiting and advertising. You can start by getting your site listed on public sites like the Running Network. You can also talk to your local newspaper or a weekly magazine in your area and ask if you can be listed or perhaps a story can be written about your group. You need to put up all the fliers and in all running and athletic stores and even in health stores and health areas where physically active people often hang out. When you bump into other runners inform them of your running club. If the club has become big enough, you might want to think about coming up with your own running club uniform that you can wear every time you run. This will not only help more in advertising the running club; this will also give your members a good sense of belonging.
You have to make the members socialize with each other. This can be done by organizing monthly and quarterly events like parties, barbecue nights, outings during holidays, and others. Activities like this let runners meet their fellow runners in the group making them more interested in the group and more physically active. When your running club is still small, don’t ask for any membership during signup. Just tell the wanna-be members to just show up during runs.