Members’ Zone
Training
By clicking the link below you can see our Training Schedule which is made up of different coloured sessions. Each session is designed with a goal in mind. We have sessions for beginners, experienced runners and those looking to improve their PBs.
In addition, you can also click here to see what the idea behind each session is and understand approximate mileage for effort sessions.
Running Terms Explained!
- Intervals – a type of training that involves a series of low to high intensity bursts, with rests/recoveries in between.
- Effort session – a sustained period of time or distance at a pace that is more intense than your steady run pace.
- Steady run – a run over a set distance and sometimes pace, run at a constant (depending on conditions/route) pace with minimal re-groups/stops.
- Hill session – exactly what you would expect! Running up and down hills of various gradients and at varying speeds.
- Fartlek – a Swedish term that means “speed play,” is a form of interval or speed training that can be effective in improving your running speed and endurance. Fartlek running involves varying your pace throughout your run, alternating between fast segments and slower jogs.
- Long runs – slightly different to a steady run as the distance is set but the pace is personal choice.
Coaches
Meet the Littledown Harriers coaching team! All coaches have as a minimum the Leader in Running Fitness (LiRF) qualification from England Athletics.
- Head Coach – Paul Turle
- Deputy Head Coach – Laurence Stevenson
- Coaches: Simon Davies, Paolo De Luca, Kevin Dowsett, Luke Dowsett, Janet Hooper, Mike Kibble, Tracey Lander, Gerry Lucas, Mike Neal, Gary Worsley, Caroline Morgan, Caroline Horder, Danielle Dixon, James Davies, Dily Ruffer, Mark Everett, Heidi Snook, Chris Lane, Rachel Smith-Harrison, Suzanne Janes, Gary Taylor.
Paul Turle
Laurence Stevenson
Simon Davies
Paolo De Luca
Kevin Dowsett
Luke Dowsett
Janet Hooper
Mike Kibble
Tracey Lander
Gerry Lucas
Mike Neal
Gary Worsley
Caroline Morgan
Caroline Horder
Dani Dixon
James Davies
Dily Ruffer
Mark Everett
Heidi Snook
Chris Lane
Rachel Smith-Harrison
Suzanne Janes
Gary Taylor
Steve Williams
Rachel Smith-Harrison
Mark Everett
Louise Austin
Club Captains
The club races in the Dorset Road Race League and also has its own Club Championships events, therefore to have teams, we need captains. We have a Male and Female Captain and Vice Captain. The role of these Captains is to mostly motivate the members to sign up to the races and represent the club whenever we can. Also the captains produce a monthly report of all the races that have taken place over the last month. You can see the latest reports below in the DRRL section.
- The Men’s Captain is Steve Williams assisted by Vice Captain Mark Everett
- The Female Captain is Rachel Smith-Harrison assisted by Vice Captain Louise Austin
Committee Members
Our running club is organised and run (pun entirely intended) by voluntary committee members – we have a Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer, Membership Secretary, Male and Female team Captains, Male and Female Welfare officers, Head Coach and many other standing Committee members. We meet every two months to discuss matters arising within the club and endeavour to make the club as great as it possibly can be. Below you can see who these people are and what they do.
- Chairperson : Greg Hawkins
- Secretary: Suzanne Janes
- Treasurer: James Sturman
- Membership Secretary: Gary Barnes
- Membership Secretary: Ken Ballam
- Male Team Captain: Steve Williams
- Female Team Captain: Rachel Smith-Harrison
- Male Welfare Officer: Gary Worsley
- Female Welfare Officer: Dily Ruffer
- Head Coach: Paul Turle
- Committee Members: Luke Dowsett, Barry Telling, Janet Hooper, Kevin Dowsett, Mark Goodwin, Steve Amey
Greg Hawkins
Suzanne Janes
James Sturman
Gary Barnes
Ken Ballam
Steve Williams
Rachel Smith-Harrison
Gary Worsley
Dily Ruffer
Paul Turle
Luke Dowsett
Barry Telling
Janet Hooper
Kevin Dowsett
Mark Goodwin
Steve Amey
Awards
Littledown Harriers have three award categories:
- Runner of the Quarter (RotQ) / Harrier of the Quarter – Awarded for performance, input into the club, encouragement and/or overcoming adversity. Presented every 3 months following member’s nominations, input from coaches and a committee vote. Year starts after the AGM.
- Members’ Runner of the Year / Harrier of the Year – (RotY) – Voted for entirely by members in recognition of another member’s input, improvement and/or club spirit etc over last 12 months and awarded at the AGM.
- Bush/Forman Trophy – Decided by the Committee for work done by a member over the last 12 months for the benefit of the club and/or local community.
To view a list of all our awards winners, please click on the link below!
Award Winners
Welfare
Should any member wish to discuss a welfare concern, please contact either Gary Worsley welfareofficer@littledownharriers.co.uk or Dily Ruffer welfareofficer2@littledownharriers.co.uk in confidence.
Renew Membership
Existing members will be sent a reminder email when yearly April membership is due with details of costs and how to renew.
Racing
Littledown Harriers Club Championship
Each year the club chooses 15 local races of varying distances which make up our Club Championship (CC).
To qualify for a ranking in the CC you need to complete 8 of these races. Alternative ways of achieving 8 races are to either: complete 6 of the named races plus a marathon and a parkrun OR complete 7 races and a marathon or a parkrun.
Most of these races will fill up quickly so enter early. Awards are given overall and by age category. There is also a trophy for completing all 15 races.
The CC is divided into male and female. The first male and female Harriers home in each race get 100 points each, the second get 99 and so on. At the end of the Championship, the best 8 scores for each participant are added together and the winners are crowned! Awards are given at our awards night held in January each year.
If you have any questions about the Club Championship, speak to the organisers for 2020 Steve O’Connell or Rachel Smith-Harrison.
CC Races And Dates 2020
- Wednesday 01-Jan-2020: Broadstone Quarter – Race complete
- Sunday 02-Feb-2020: Blackmore Vale Half Marathon – Race open – bvlhm.yolasite.com
- Sunday 23-Feb-2020: Bournemouth 10 Mile – Race full – www.bournemouthac.co.uk
- Sunday 19-Apr-2020: Marnhull 12K – Race open – www.fullonsport.com/event
- Sunday 10-May-2020: Lymington 10K – Race open – www.lymingtonlifeboat.co.uk
- Friday 26-Jun-2020: Purbeck 10K – Not yet open – www.purbeckrunners.co.uk
- Sunday 04-Jul-2020: Charmouth Challenge – Race open – docs.google.com/forms
- Sunday 19-Jul-2020: Durberville Dash 10K – Race open – https://www.fullonsport.com/event/durberville-dash-10k/profile
- Date TBC: Sturminster Half Marathon – Not yet open
- Sunday 06-Sep-2020: The Beast – Race open – https://fullonsport.com/event/the-beast-2020/profile
- Sunday 13-Sep-2020: Hoburne 5 Mile – Not yet open – www.christchurch-runners.org.uk
- Sunday 11-Oct-2020: Goldhill 10K – Not yet open – www.goldhill10k.co.uk
- Date TBC: The Stickler 10 Mile – Not yet open
- Sunday 15-Nov-2020: Wimborne 10 Mile – Not yet open – www.wimborneac.co.uk
- Date TBC: Boscombe 10K – Not yet open
CC Rules
Dorset Road Race League (DRRL)
The Dorset Road Race League (DRRL) is a long established road running league in which competitors can race in up to 12 events of varying distance, spread over Dorset to win individual and team prizes each year. Competitors must be first claim members of clubs affiliated to the Dorset County Athletic Association (DCAA) and registered to England Athletics to be counted. For both individual and team competitions, the best 7 results will score towards the League. For Under 17s the best 3 of 4 and for Under 21s the best 6 of 11 will count. Some league races also incorporate DCAA championships open to those of Dorset eligibility with separate prizes to go to seniors and veterans over 40 years old.
2019 Results
2019 was a great year of racing for the Harriers, the Ladies team came 2nd in the League, with the Men coming in 4th place in the same positions as 2018. Both teams secure a place in Division 1 for the 2020 season. We also had a few age category winners and fidelity runners again over the 2019 season, so great running all round!!
The DRRL races for 2020 can be found below.
- You can read more about the DRRL and see the 2020 fixtures here – http://drrl.co.uk/dev/fixtures/
- Race reports: Men – read the latest race report here
- Race reports: Women – read the latest race report here
- DRRL rules can be found here
DRRL Races & Dates 2020
- Wednesday 01-Jan-2020: Broadstone Quarter Marathon – Race Complete
- Sunday 02-Feb-2020: Blackmore Vale Half Marathon – www.bvlhm.yolasite.com
- Sunday 09-Feb-2020: Lytchett 10 miles – www.lytchettmanorstriders.org/lytchett
- Sunday 19-Apr-2020: Marnhull 12k – www.fullonsport.com
- Sunday 03-May-2020: North Dorset Village Marathon – www.ndvm.co.uk
- Sunday 17-May-2020: May 5 miles – www.pooleac.co.uk
- Sunday 14-Jun-2020: Puddletown Plod Half Marathon – www.puddletownplod.co.uk
- Friday 26-Jun-2020: Purbeck 10k – www.purbeckrunners.co.uk
- Sunday 05-Jul-2020: Portland 10 miles – www.fullonsport.com
- Sunday 13-Sep-2020: Hoburne 5 miles – www.christchurch-runners.org.uk
- Sunday 11-Oct-2020: Gold Hill 10k – www.goldhill10k.co.uk
- Sunday 15-Nov-2020: Wimborne 10 miles – www.wimborneac.co.uk
Social
The next social event will be the awards evening for the 2019 Club Championship. This will take place on Saturday 18th January at 7pm in the bar at the Littledown Centre. Disco and buffet provided. See you there!