Most trail and ultrarunners spend hours running solo. However, even for the most solitary personality, group runs can add a fun, social and challenging element. On the flip side, running with groups can also make it difficult to meet your specific training goals. Below are some ideas to help make group runs more appealing and approachable for every runner.
While it’s probably not necessary to analyze the training plan of each participant, assessing the general goals of each attendee can help group runs evolve appropriately. Start a group chat or do a quick round table as a way of getting a general idea of each person’s goals as well as introduce new runners to the group. Designing routes that allow runners to spread out based on their fitness levels or objectives is equally important. Ideas could include hill repeats, out-and-back courses and muti-loop courses.
Hill repeats can be especially motivating and inclusive since runners will likely pass each other multiple times. We all know a little kudos goes a long way for keeping the stoke high, and this is a way to collect kudos multiple times in a single session. Runners may individualize the route to their goals based on intensity, total vertical or a combination of both.
Out-and-back routes are similar to hill repeats. The group can circle back every 5–10 minutes and “pick up” the back of the pack. Or, slower runners can turn around before reaching the end and run a shorter total distance than those who continue to the turnaround point. Like hill repeats, this is a great way for all runners to see each other at least once during the outing and provide encouragement.
Lastly, a short loop route is another inclusive option. By running multiple loops or, by using a “washing machine” method in which the direction of the route is reversed each time the start/end point is reached, runners are likely to pass each other multiple times. More cheers for more friends is always a win. While a loop could theoretically be too small, a shorter distance loop creates not only more opportunities for fellow runners to interact and pass one another, it also allows each person to micromanage the distance and duration based on their needs on a particular day.
Larger group runs, those that regularly have 15–20 or more in attendance, may work best by splitting into smaller groups of two or more based on distance, pace or both. Not only will this increase the odds that more participants’ needs will be met, it may also increase the likelihood of increased attendance. In turn, this ensures the group run is likely to remain an ongoing staple in the community.
Lastly, for those who may be starting a group run or leading a group run, stay consistent and remain patient. Sticking to the same day and time, week after week, provides a group setting that is more likely to increase attendance over time. Just like it can be frustrating for a physical business to have changing and unpredictable hours, a group run that changes times, locations or days of the week can disenfranchise runners. It goes without saying that consistency is key when it comes to growing the number of participants.
The sport of trail and ultrarunning is growing exponentially, and veterans of the sport can offer sage wisdom to their running community. Those willing to organize group runs will probably find the number of enthusiasts surprisingly abundant, or at least a potential to grow. While a group run may not be your first choice, it can be a surprisingly fun way to change up a weekly routine and meet the next generation of trail running devotees.