ACTIVITIES

The programme will run for 12 weeks beginning on Wednesday the 1st of April and the “graduation” for the programme will be the club’s Pride Run which will take place on Friday the 19th of June. Anyone who completes the Learn to Run programme will be eligible for free entry to the Pride Run which will serve as the final session or “graduation” from the programme.
Sessions will take place on Wednesdays at 6:30pm at the Meadows and on Saturday at 10am at Inverleith Park.
The programme is planned, overseen and led by qualified run leaders.
This programme is open to all abilities, regardless of level of fitness, and no one will be left behind. It is okay to miss a few sessions and jump back in, though if possible it can help if you attempt the session on your own.
To take part in the programme participants must join Edinburgh Frontrunners and sign up to Jog Scotland.
EFR membership runs for 12 months and gives members access to twice weekly runs suitable for all abilities. There is also typically a walking group. EFR is a very social club and goes to the pub after Wednesday sessions and brunch after Saturday sessions, there are socials throughout the year.

Fill in the Learn to Run sign up form.
Join Jog Scotland and EFR here.
If you are keen, join our WhatsApp community learn to run group. The link will be emailed out to you once you have signed up. Please note that when you join a WhatsApp community your phone number will be visible to other people in the community.

How fit do I need to be to take part?

This programme is intended for anyone at any point in their fitness journey. We have qualified run leaders who can help tailor the programme to you, if you are quite fit already you may find the first few sessions very easy, if you are just starting out you may need to slow things down and if you communicate with your leaders we can work out the best way forward.

I can only attend some of the sessions, will I be able to take part?

If you are keen, please come. If you are only able to attend once a week, or you miss a few sessions it may be worth doing the second session on your own time. Sometimes several participants who can’t attend will get together and do the session together at another time.

Who are EFR?

As can be found in the about section of this website, Edinburgh Frontrunners are an inclusive running club for members and allies of the LGBTQIA+ community. We have members across the community and many straight allies who enjoy the inclusive positive environment that we create in the club.

I’m straight, can I join?

Yes! Straight allies are very welcome and make up a good proportion of our club. No one will assume your sexuality or gender identity, and you are just as welcome as anyone else.
The club is intended to be a safe space though, and no homophobia, transphobia or other discrimination towards the LGBTQIA+ community will be tolerated.

I’ve run in the past, but have gotten out of the habit, is this programme suitable for me?

Yes! While the programme has always been branded “learn to run” it is 100% also a “return to run” programme. Often people will fall out of running after illness, injury, parenthood, or life just getting in the way, and we hope that this programme can help you get back into this sport that we love.

Why do I have to join the club to take part?

Firstly, this is for insurance reasons. The club has insurance through jog Scotland for its members so you need to join them too.
Also, while everyone running the programme is a volunteer, there are costs associated with running the club and the programme.
Once you have joined the club even if it is through learn to run, your membership runs for the full year, not only for 12 weeks, which means you get a full year worth of runs and activities for only £15. If there are financial barriers to taking part there are concession prices available. See the membership page for details.

I’m already a member of a Scottish Athletics affiliated club, can I join?

Yes, EFR are not affiliated with Scottish Athletics, and membership will not affect your affiliation with your first claim club or any other clubs you are in.

How many sessions do I need to attend to get free pride run entry?

We understand that most people won’t be able to make all sessions, or some may only be able to attend once a week. We also want to encourage people to join the programme late and we can modify it for you depending on your current level of fitness. Or you may get ill and miss a few weeks. There is no expectation that participants attend every session but for example if a participant were to only attend a couple of early sessions on the programme it is up to the Learn to Run organisers discretion to decide if the person is eligible for this promotion.
If a person does not wish to participate in Learn to Run but has financial concerns regarding entering pride run, there are concession prices available, and if you contact the club they may be able to help you out as it is our event.

Can I bring my children?

Unfortunately, our club is not set up to cater for under 18s, so children and young people cannot participate in the programme.
If you are interested in getting your children into running, Junior parkrun on a Sunday morning is a great place to start (and doesn’t conflict with learn to run!)

How will you use my data?

We will only use your data in accordance with the club’s general data policies, and for the purpose of planning and administering the learn to run programme.
Data will be stored securely and personal data associated with the Learn to Run programme will be erased at the end of the programme. This is separate from the data collected through your membership application which will be stored separately in accordance with the policies mentioned there.

The following NHS Couch to 5K plan may be of some help to those thinking about starting to run.