What we do.
We are a friendly Consett based running club established for over 25 years with a mixed membership of old, young, male and female of just under 100 members. We are affiliated to the Governing body for athletics in the United Kingdom, UK Athletics, and also a member of Club Durham. We currently have a level 1 coach and 2 leaders in running fitness that are fully qualified by UK Athletics and CRB checked. Our members compete in races on and off road from 5K through to ultra distances all over the country and abroad. We also compete each season in the North East Harrier Cross Country League in the Senior Men’s, Woman’s and Junior divisions which comprises of 6 league fixtures over the winter months, a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon up to the eyes in mud !!
How good do you have to be ?
We welcome ALL abilities no matter your standard as long as you enjoy running you’ll get a friendly welcome at the club and the encouragement to progress at your own pace. We have different training groups from fast paced runners to slower runners, beginners and those returning from injury so why not come along and join us and see for yourself. There are plenty sessions to suit all please see the training section for more details.
How much does it cost ?
Annual subscription fees are £15:00 for all Senior members there are no other hidden costs.
When & where do we meet ?
The training section is packed with information on club running sessions and the local running routes we use. In addition club members organize other training runs amongst themselves when club times clash. We also have various social events which are organized throughout the year along with one fixed social meeting of every Wednesday night at the Grey Horse in Consett after training.
Do we organize any club races ?
Our biggest venture is to organize in conjunction with the National Trust at Gibside “The Fruit Bowl Run” which is a competitive race with up to 500 runners competing over a rather hilly off road 6 mile course. In addition we organize a 6 mile on/off road race starting and finishing at Snods Edge village hall which is by invitation to some of our local running clubs, entry numbers have grown in recent years, this might be due to the fantastic free banquet, raffle and quiz we provide afterwards in Snods Edge village hall which has its own bar for the thirsty runners to sample.
Do we have any club away days ?
Throughout the year we organize transport to various races around the North East and beyond including the Pier to Pier South Shields to Sunderland race, The Loftus Poultry run (see above pic) normally ran the week before Christmas, The Brass Monkey Half Marathon in York, The Northumberland Coastal Beadnell to Alnmouth run and the Kilburn Fair 7 in North Yorkshire.
We also organize a long distance relay over a distance of approximately 120 miles where members choose how far and what leg or legs of the relay they wish to run. This social run takes place in mid June over a weekend and normally finishes back in Consett.
We also try to organize what best can be described as holiday runs, in other words you go away for a holiday and do a run whilst you are there perhaps a 10K, Half Marathon or Full Marathon. Locations in recent years have seen Bounders running in Spain, France, Holland, Portugal and the Czech Republic.
Do we have a management structure ?
Blackhill Bounders committee meet once a month on the first Tuesday to discuss club matters. A copy of each months minutes are emailed to all members there is also a copy within the website forum. If you have any issues that need addressing please don`t hesitate to speak to one of the committee members direct or by using the form on the contact page.
Blackhill Bounders 2011/12 Committee Members:
- Joy Bell – Chairman
- Mike Powell - Secretary
- Shelagh Redmond – Treasurer
- Dave Anderson – Committee
- Nigel Cook – Committee
- Ian Dilley - Committee
- Aidan Hughes - Committee
- Mel Johansen - Committee
- Caroline Panting - Committee
- Brian Richardson - Committee
- Mike Swainson - Committee
- Ian Young – Committee
Next Committee meeting Tuesday 6th March 2012.
Blackhill Bounders Constitution
