Information for Potential New Members

Many of our members come along just to keep fit, lose weight, train for another sport or simply enjoy their running. Around one third train for, and regularly participate in, races. This is something we encourage, but it is very much up to you.

Most of our athletes pursue road and multi-terrain running.
We have our own weight training equipment and sessions are held weekly when qualified coaches are available.

We organise the Cow Pat Canter, a 10K MT race held in Spring, and we closely support The Wansdyke Triathlon and The Midsomer Norton Half Marathon, the organisers of which are club members.

We have quite a good social side to the club too. Through the year we organise for members a series of mid-week multi-terrain, handicap runs called the Wobblers and usually a handicapped road race on New Year's Day. We have a long-standing annual exchange visit with our friends at the Spado Running Club in Holland where we host families one year and visit the next. Finally there are pure social events such as barbeques and whist nights, which individual members put on and those attend provide a self-help buffet.

Our membership covers a full range of abilities and ages. So, whether you are experienced or fairly new to running, we can probably cater for you.

• Seniors: Tuesdays and Thursdays.
• Juniors: Thursday nights only.
• The new sports complex at Norton Hill School - (Note: Thursday nights in the Summer we meet and train on the school fields).
• Start times: Usually 7:30pm. Start times may be earlier in April and September (see below).

Tuesday is the main club night for seniors. This is when you will here about what races and social events are coming up, how well our athletes have raced and be able to pick up application forms for most races in this area.

In addition separate groups also meet informally on other nights of the week and at weekends for longer runs, so you need never be short of company.

• Structured (see our training section) and flexible training sessions run by qualified coaches, which cater for most abilities.
• Encouragement, support and a reason to keep running during those long Winter months.
• Good advice on all aspects of running based on a wealth of experience.
• An information service on what's happening in the area and access to race application forms.
• Affiliation to the England Athletics UK (which entitles you to up to £2.00 off every race entered).
• Affiliation to the British Triathlon Association (BTA), which allows our members to enter triathlons as a member of "Somer A.C. Tri".
• Draw for three guaranteed places in the London Marathon.
• Social events: The Wobblers, both a winter and a summer series of mid-week 6k fun runs; New Years Day Handicap Race; Annual Club Xmas Dinner; Whist Nights and Barbeques.
• Annual exchange visit with Dutch SPADO Running Club.
• A free membership card (10% discount at certain running specialists shops) and free quarterly club magazine.

• £2.00 per week whether you attend one or both training sessions. Subs are payable on the night you attend.
• No need to join right away. Come along and enjoy a free weeks training with us first to see if you like our club - you then only pay the weekly subs! After 3 weeks we will ask to make a decision on joining.
• Cost per calendar year: Seniors - £18, Family - £22 Juniors - £5.