Frequently asked questions

Q "Who are we?"
A We are a running club, which aims to provide a good, social atmosphere in which to run. The Club has runners of all abilities and ages although you must be 18+ to run with the club. There is a 50:50 mix of women and men. If you are a beginner or a marathon runner we can cater for your needs. There are several groups which run each Monday. The group leader decides on a route and it is made clear how far and how fast each group will run. We have a good record in assisting beginners to get up to a good standard.

Q "Where and when do we meet?"
A We meet every Monday and Thursday (including Bank Holidays) at 7pm at Perdiswell Leisure Centre, off the Bilford Rd, Worcester. We gather just outside the main reception, please be careful not to block the entrance. You are very welcome to just turn up. But if you contact one of us beforehand someone will be there to look out for you.
In the Summer, the Thursday evening run is usually from various pubs outside Worcester. These are usually gentle runs of about an hours duration – followed by rehydration using a fluid of your choice! The venues for pub runs are usually announced on the previous Monday.
For marathon runners a group meets most Sundays at 8.45am also at Perdiswell Leisure Centre for a longer gentle run – usually building up to 20 miles before the London Marathon.

Q "Do I have to be of a certain standard to join the club?"
A "No, we welcome people of all standards to the club and cater for
all abilities from complete novices who haven't run since school right
up to runners who want to compete at County level.

Q "Do I have to join to run with the club?"
A "Yes, you are more than welcome to run with us up to three time before
deciding to join.

Q "How much does it cost to join?"
A The membership year runs from 1st April – 31st March and only costs
£12. This includes membership to England Athletics which entitles you to a
discount if you chose to enter races.

Q "Do I need any special equipment to take part?
A No. All you need is comfortable clothing, a t-shirt and shorts would
be fine in the summer. In the winter we would recommend high
visibility clothing to make sure you can be seen at night. If you plan
to regularly it is worth investing in a decent pair of running shoes
and for the ladies I can't stress enough the importance of a good sports bra!
 
Q "Are we into racing?"
A Although racing isn’t the main aim of the Club, an increasing number of members are taking part in race events of various types: road races, cross-country, multi-terrain, fell racing, duathlons,  triathlons etc.
People have a wealth of knowledge about the local (and not so local) races, and can advise you on suitable races to enter. We sometimes enter races as a club we have won the Warndon Race Team Trophy for the last 5 years.

Q "What are the race leagues?"
A For any race entered by at least 3 Black Pear Joggers, points are awarded (starting with 4 points for the last placed jogger). Charlie, our hard-working results secretary, enters the points won by each member into race leagues. There are 4 leagues: Road, Multi terrain, Miles and the Golden League (the 12 most popular races from the previous year). The trophies are fiercely contested and well-deserved. They are presented at the Joggers Christmas party.