The GRR Family
The Team
As well as all of our incredible runners and members, we also have an official committee that is here to help everyone. Feel free to contact anyone on the committee with any questions or queries – we’re always happy to make sure your time with the club is the best it can be!
Shirley Faichen
Club President
Deborah Birch
Club Coach
The Club
Information Documents
London Marathon
Each year, the Club is allocated a London Marathon Place and is dependent on the number of EA-affiliated members. Currently, the club receives one allocation.
London Marathon – Club Ballot Draw Rules.
To qualify for a place in the GRR club ballot, the following rules apply:
- The club membership year runs from 1 April – 31 March each year. The Annual Membership subscription period for GRR is formally notified as 1 – 30.
- You MUST have joined or renewed your Annual Membership subscriptions to Gosport Road Runners with affiliation to England Athletics (UKAA), and returned your membership renewal form no later than 30th April each year to be eligible for the opportunity to enter the club ballot draw for members the opportunity to obtain a place to run the London TCS Marathon.
- Members who have previously been successful at gaining entry to run the TCS through the club ballot draw (held each December) will not be permitted to reapply for a club ballot place until a period of no less than 5 years has been served. (There remains no restriction on entry to the club draw if you have had a VLM public ballot place over that period.)
Example:
If you gained a club running entry to TCS during the club ballot draw in December 2021 (running the marathon in April 2022); further applications would not be accepted until December 2026 for the marathon held in 2027.
Allocation of Club Ballot places:
GRR is currently only allocated one TCS place, so everyone with a rejection slip that meets the criteria above will be entered into the draw. The allocation of the space will be as below.
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Number of Club Places |
Details |
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ONE |
All members who meet the above criteria will be entered into the draw, the place will be won by either a male or female member. |
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The Committee reserves the right to review this scheme periodically, and any changes that affect the membership will be notified accordingly.
Contacting the Committee
If you want to contact any of the committee regarding any matter about your club then go to the committee webpage and send them an email.
Every Tuesday or Thursday Evening
Club Nights
Tuesdays and Thursdays, we meet at the Rugby Club just before 7 pm. Things kick off with a few announcements—shouting out recent race achievements, highlighting upcoming events and sharing the night’s running options (which are displayed on a big screen).
Once we’re done, we finish with some cool-down stretches before heading home. Simple, social, and a great way to get some miles in!
Group Runs
We split into 3, 4, and 5-mile groups (sometimes 7 miles) and run at a relaxed pace, sticking together and matching the speed of the slowest runner. It’s all about getting some miles in, enjoying fresh air, and chatting with friends—definitely not about speed!
Loopy Runs
Great for all abilities! Everyone runs at their own pace, but with regular “loop-back” points where faster runners turn back to rejoin the group. This way, no one gets left behind, and speedier runners get extra distance. A tail runner always stays at the back to keep an eye on things.
Intervals
Usually on Tuesdays, these sessions, led by a qualified coach or run leader, focus on speed and fitness. Expect structured bursts of fast running mixed with recovery. We stick to a set area (like a path or rugby pitch) so all paces stay together. It’s tough but super rewarding!
Time Trials
Once a month (usually the first Tuesday), we run a 5K time trial (sometimes other distances). It’s all about racing against yourself—seeing if you’re getting faster or just enjoying a sociable 5K with no pressure. The course is flat, great for PBs, and fully marshalled by club members—so if you’re not running, come along and cheer!
Out of Town Runs
Summer means scenic running! We kick things off with our classic ‘bluebell run’ and continue with routes through beautiful countryside. Occasonally , we throw in a well-earned stop for breakfast or pizza, depending on the time of day!
Hills
Every so often, we mix things up with hill training! These sessions, usually around Gosport, Fareham, and Titchfield, involve running up and down various hills over routes between 4 and 6 miles. It’s all about building stamina and endurance—perfect for prepping for tougher races and cross-country events.
Headtorch
In winter, we take things off-road at night! These Friday evening runs (roughly once a month) start from Cherque Farm or similar locations and cover 4-5 miles at a relaxed, stick-together pace. It’s less about speed and more about adventure—a fun way to start the weekend!
Social Runs
These range from a festive Mulled Wine Run to the Summer Relay, out of town Pizza runs and a Spring Treasure Hunt, we love an excuse to get together. These aren’t serious races (well, maybe just a little competitive!), but they guarantee plenty of laughs along the way.
GRR Since 1983
Club History
Gosport Road Runners has a very long and proud history. The majority of this history has been recorded for all GRR members, be they past, present or future runners to look back on. The links below chart the history of the club.
Monthly
GRR Newsletters
| Title | Content | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Newsletters (2024) | A collection of newsletters from 2024 | Download |
| Newsletters (2023) | A collection of newsletters from 2023 | Download |
| Newsletters (2022) | A collection of newsletters from 2022 | Download |
| Newsletters (2021) | A collection of newsletters from 2021 | Download |
| Newsletters (2020) | A collection of newsletters from 2020 | Download |
| Newsletters (2019) | A collection of newsletters from 2019 | Download |
| Newsletters (2018) | A collection of newsletters from 2018 | Download |
| Newsletters (2017) | A collection of newsletters from 2017 | Download |
| Newsletters (2016) | A collection of newsletters from 2016 | Download |
| Newsletters (2015) | A collection of newsletters from 2015 | Download |
| Newsletters (2014) | A collection of newsletters from 2014 | Download |
| Newsletters (2013) | A collection of newsletters from 2013 | Download |
First few sessions are free!
Join Us Today
Looking for a friendly, supportive, and fun running community? Gosport Road Runners is an England Athletics Affiliated club that welcomes runners of all ages and abilities. Whether you're a complete beginner, just starting with Couch to 5K, training for a marathon, or aiming for even greater distances, we’re here to help you achieve your goals.