About Sherfield Park Runners
We are a community of local people who like to keep active by running and jogging. Our aim is to provide support to members of all abilities so that they can achieve their goals, whatever they may be. We do this by creating an environment that is safe, inclusive, and relies on volunteers - and we have fun!
The club caters for all fitness aspirations. While some members join purely for social and recreational reasons others use the structured training sessions to help them improve their core fitness and achieve their PB & race targets. Some members also take part in cross-country races, duathlons and triathlons.
The club meets on Tuesday evenings at the Sherfield Park Community Centre (see Training for further details.) There's a range of paces/distances to suit different abilities at these club sessions based on our ethos of 'nobody runs alone'. On Thursdays, we meet at various venues in the local area to take on the trails and explore the countryside, and on Saturday mornings we provide an opportunity to run as a club at the free 5k parkrun event held at the War Memorial Park in Basingstoke.
We work to a simple set of objectives:
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We provide you with caring, inspirational and motivational run leaders
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We invest in all abilities and offer you the opportunity to compete and improve whether you're a total beginner or experienced runner
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We listen to your comments and as a club will always try and improve your club for you
As a non-profitable organisation our fees are kept to the minimum and the club is maintained by the goodwill of its founders, committee members and the members
Meet The Commitee
Matt
Chair Person
Matt joined in 2019 after a friend, who was a member of Sherfield Park Runners (SPR) got him back into running around the local village. Matt attended the club sessions and enjoyed the support and ethos of the club, so signed up and completed his first Marathon (Leeds) in 2023 and with other members of club completed Endure 24. Matt was lucky enough to secure club space for the London Marathon in 2024. He has recently completed his Run Leaders course with England Athletics. Matt's biggest reasons for being at the club are the social side of things and building friendships. Matt enjoys supporting members and ensures the club has an all-abilities warm welcome which is the foundation of the club since it was set up in 2013.
Matt said, “Through the club I have met many friends and have developed my love for social running. Being part of the club and it's social nature, helps get me out when it’s cold and wet when at times it may be easier to stay at home. In 2019 I didn’t think I would be able to run a marathon and now, I'm due to complete London 2024. I have taken on the chair role to work with the committee to support members and help the club thrive. What I love about the club is it's inclusive nature and support we which offer to each other. My greatest achievement in running so far is leading the Couch to 5k with Louise and seeing the participants confidence grow each week and them wanting to join the club at the end of it.
Nick
Membership and Secretary
Nick joined after completing the Couch to 5k course and has since gone on to help run the latest Couch to 5k course alongside Matt and Louise
Rob
Club Treasurer
Rob has been a member for a few years after a friend recommended he join. Having completed an Ironman in the past, he was looking to regain some fitness in a friendly and social atmosphere.
Louise
Social Secretary
Louise moved to the area in 2019 and arrived at the club the day after. She has, and probably always will hold a love/hate relationship with running and is very much an advocate for the wellbeing impact, both physically and mentally, of getting out and moving your body, at whatever pace is right for you. Having covered many distances, both road and trail, from 5k to 100k, she has had a go at everything. Louise is the driving force behind our Thursday night social trail escapades around the local area, organising people to lead and making sure all the information you could possibly need is available. It is also her role to organise the annual awards, any meetings and any other social gathering throughout the year.
"I both love and hate running in equal measures, so being part of a club that recognises that sometimes you come to training and push as hard as you can, and other times, you just need to be moving outside with others is great. Having that understanding and acceptance that both are valid and important was so important to me. Being able to tailor sessions to most peoples needs is one of the best parts of being a more social club. You can push when you want, but are still accepted when you don't want to. I very much believe that the key to being healthier physically and mentally is having a place and a space where you can go and be yourself and be accepted for that and I feel supported, whatever mood I turn up in. Being able to share that with the latest Couch to 5k group, which I led with Matt, was wonderful. It was so uplifting and inspirational to see such effort from people in the winter weather and it reminded me why I do love running"
Val
Club Welfare Officer
Val is the longest standing member of the club on the committee and has seen its progression over the years. She ensures that everyone is looked after and all decisions consider all members. She is the perfect person for this role as she is approachable, calm and comforting. Everyone in the club loves Val and her constant presence, whatever the weather is a comfort in itself. She is the voice of reason and makes sure that no one gets left behind, or forgotton
