The question almost everyone asks before joining, answered honestly.
It is the most common worry we hear, usually said half as a joke and half seriously: "I would love to come along, but I would only slow everyone down." Here is the honest answer.
Running clubs have a reputation problem. People picture a pack of whippets in racing vests disappearing over the horizon. Some clubs are like that. Stockton Striders is not. We are an all-abilities club, and we mean it in the practical sense, not just as a line on a website.
The answer is groups. Every session runs in several pace groups at once, from a beginner-friendly group that mixes running and walking, through relaxed social pace, up to the quicker tempo and interval groups. When you get in touch and come for your first free session, we help you pick the group that fits where you are now. Not where you think you should be, and not where you might be in a year. Where you are now.
Each group has a coach who runs at the pace of that group. The steady group genuinely runs at a chatty pace, because talking is half the point of it.
Every single person in the club had a first night where they worried about being too slow. Every one. The runners you would call fast now were once at the back of the beginner group wondering if they belonged. Nobody in a running club judges slower runners, because they all remember being one.
Run with the same friendly group twice a week and something odd happens: you get better without really noticing. Members track their personal bests in our members area, from parkrun up to marathon, and the little celebration when you beat one never gets old. Plenty of people who joined us barely able to run a mile without stopping now casually knock out 10Ks. Not because anyone pushed them, but because turning up twice a week quietly does the work.
That is the whole list. Pace is not on it.
Your first session is free, and we will book you in properly so someone is expecting you. No pressure, no commitment.
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