i have been following this thread and giving it much thought. Pans lass has spoken well on behalf of the jogleaders. Feel I have to give my thoughts not because i want to but because it is expected. For discussions about something so important i prefer face to face as i feel tone can really be misinterpreted in the written word as we have all seen before
I believe whether we be the "plodders" or "joggers" or the "runners" that have been mentioned we are all out there doing our best. This is the ethos that we follow and try to instill in our members at JSC believing that all are equal and that there is no separation between runners and joggers - we are one.
I would like to see a running club in the town and if it became an attachment to our group - so be it but im afraid it couldnt be the case of just doing it so we can wave a piece of paper (and i sincerely dont say this go get at anyone) to get spaces in marathons for the elite. Anything taken on has to be done so in the correct manner, this involves a great deal of time given by volunteers. It would also involve someone qualifying as a coach to a minimum of level 2 - I have asked scottish athletics and this is a requirement. To put someone through this will probably be costly.
Would this cost then be covered by the club as through experience as JSC monday and thursday the "plodders" and "joggers" are happy to pay their £10 for 10 sessions fees as they feel they are learning and being supported, more experienced runners in my experience feel they can run anyway and dont want to pay for the privelege - not all of them but more and more we find people just turn up when suits on a saturday and this also is fine but verges on unfair. Can i also emphasize at this point that JSC are not about making money as we dont "need" it but we do like to give to the community and for example put on massage, prizes, buffets for members at end of block with no additional costs.
A running club would have to make money to cover its costs.
A means of doing this would be members paying an affiliation to the club probably be required to cover set up costs, insurances, coaching qualification etc etc. Then there would be the weekly fee to run with the club, with affiliated members paying less than unaffiliated. Someone would need to collect this money nightly.
i spent 2 hours on the internet last night going through the set up of many clubs that i could google.
How many people would this club after all the effort is put in and set up then help - it would then come down to times etc, who is training for what, most of our elite runners go out on their own at a time that suits then, this may be due to us not having a club but a good membership would be essential to keep a good club afloat.
If you all think we can do this then lets have a meeting and see, im not going to be the bad one saying we cannot - but we do have to be practical. i for one have a full time job, two weans, jogscotland volunteer, red cross volunteer, pta member for 2 schools. What commitments do the rest of you have? You have to seriously think what you can commit as if doing this we would be doing it properly.
I will now add a disclaimer, that this is my thoughts alone, my open and honest thoughts. I am in no way getting at anyone and look forward to seeing you all tomorrow at the KWR and perhaps having a drink with you all at the ceilidh.