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Who are we?
Thames Hare & Hounds is the world’s first and oldest cross country club with an illustrious history to match. Since our founding, we have maintained an ethos of amateur (nonprofit) running and been open to all runners, with our members (known as Saltires) spanning ages from university students to Vet.80s, and ranging in talent from parkrun plodders to Olympic Champions.
More has been written about Thames, our club culture and history in Runners World and Tracksmith’s Meter Magazine.
Why join?
History
Run in the footsteps of Olympic greats as part of the world’s oldest adult cross country club
Training
Train with three training groups of a different standard, each training twice per week
Socialing
Meet others at one of the regular in-Club and intra-Club socials
Inclusive
Surround yourself with adults of all ages and of all running abilities
How do I join?
If you would like to ‘try before you buy’ we encourage you to join us on any of our weekly club runs or monthly Second Sunday 5 races. Alternatively, to join now, please fill out our New Joiner Google Form and we’ll get back to you with payment details. If you want to change your first claim club to Thames see the instructions here.
If, in addition to the below FAQs, you have questions do contact our Mens and Ladies Captains can by email.
FAQ
See all...Will I be breaking the bank in joining?
Fortunately not, Club membership is up to £25 with multiple discounts on offer including one year’s FREE membership to all new joiners who’ve competed in BUCS A race
- Standard Member: £25
- University Students: £10
- School Students: £5
- Members aged 65 or over: £15
- Members resident abroad: £10
In addition, first-claim members are also required to pay the England Athletics individual affiliation fee, which is currently £16 per season.
Can I compete in athletics/ fellracing leagues?
We are not a track and field or fell racing affiliated club, as such you can compete as a first claims athlete in those disciplines for any club of your choosing
Do you have training sessions I can join?
We organise steady runs on Wednesday 7pm from our Clubhouse and sessions at on Wednesday 7pm from outside Battersea Park Arena. Many of our members also join club-agnostic training groups meeting Tuesday and Thursdays 7pm outside Battersea Park Arena
How good are Thames at the top end?
Very good, in both Mens and Ladies, and Senior and Vet racing. Thames have the most Surrey League mens and ladies combined wins, routinely finish in the top 10 at National Championships.
What races do you compete in, and will there be any at my level?
With a packed-out calendar of races Thames caters to all levels of racing. At the top end, we compete in the Surrey League and the National, Regional and County Championships. We also compete in multiple lower-key races including our Mob Matches, Handicap Races and Second Sunday 5 Milers.
If I join will I be required to run certain races?
No, you run the race that you want. With a packed calendar of Championship, League and more amateur home and away racing you’ll be sure to find a race that you enjoy.
What socials do Thames organise?
Where to start?!
- Post-race pub
- Post training pub
- Post training curry
- Annual Dinner
- Greenbelt Relay
- Outlying Run
- Isle of Man Festival
- Training camp
- International races – Armagh
- Ad hoc young members socials including: Rugby 7s, ‘crew dates’ with other sports clubs, and our ‘Thamesmas’ pub crawl
How do I get Club kit?
A reserve stock of Club vests is kept for new joiners, one-off PB teamwear kit can be bought online, Club membership comes with an opt-in for 20% web discount on Tracksmith kit, and novelty items are organised by email throughout the year.
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