Start here
Come even if you walk half of it.
The first night is not a test. Wanderers do a minute or two easy, then a walk, and we decide the minutes when we see who is there.
What the first run feels like
Read the forum post for the time and the place, and get there a few minutes early. If that place is Centre4, it is the pavement on Wootton Road. It is dark after dusk in winter, so wear something light. Someone will ask your name and whether you want the short loop. Say yes to the short loop.
We set off together. The quicker group eases away and waits at the first corner. You walk when you need to. At the end you are back where you started. That counts.
What to wear
Trainers you have walked in already. A layer you can tie round your waist. A jacket or gilet a driver can see. A phone, and a tenner or a bus pass if you might want a different way home. Leave the brand-new shoes for another day. They will shred your feet.
We do not do headphones on the road. One ear is still a bad idea near the junctions. A woods path is a bit kinder, and the post will say if that is the plan.
Questions people actually ask
Do I have to be fast?
No. Wanderers walk and jog. If you can get to Wootton Road, you can come.
What do I wear?
Anything you can move in. Old trainers are fine. Football boots are a bad idea. When it is dark, wear something a driver can see, or a cheap light.
Is it free?
Yes. There is no subscription and nothing to buy. You join so we know who is out and who to call if something goes wrong.
Can I bring a friend?
Yes. They should put their own name down before they make a habit of it, so we have their emergency contact too.
Can I bring a dog?
On a short lead, if that run suits a dog. Not on an efforts session. Parkrun has its own rules. You are responsible for the dog.
Can I bring a child?
Under 16 only with a parent or guardian running beside them. We are not a junior club and we do not coach children.
What if I need the toilet, or to stop?
Say so. Someone waits or walks back with you. Stopping is allowed. That is the whole club.
Do you race?
Not as a club. People do Cleethorpes parkrun because it is free and on our doorstep. If you want a club vest and a county fixture, Grimsby Harriers and Cleethorpes AC are the track clubs.
Are you England Athletics?
No. We are not affiliated, not coached, and not insured as a club. You run at your own risk. If the group later wants affiliation, that is a separate decision.
What if I am anxious?
Tell one person when you arrive, or say so on the join form. You can leave when you need to. Nobody has to talk for the whole run.