Run Leaders Responsibilities

Summary Guidance

The role of the PPP Run Leader

  • Ideally an England Athletic Leader in Running and Fitness (LiRF)
  • Follow conversations via WhatsApp PPP RL community
  • Organise and promote the group
  • Provide a safe inclusive running environment for the participants
  • Encourage and maintain involvement in running and or walking
  • Signpost runners to development opportunities
  • Ensure good conversation and have fun!

In the session the Run Leader will:

  • Use a risk assessed route
  • Know who is in your group and their abilities
  • Have a contingency plan if needed

Before you start:

  • Count the numbers in your group and check-in on the app
  • Carry … phone with app and ICE detail for participants
  • Check for any medical conditions
  • Check kit … reflective, layers, shoes
  • Have a plan to manage injuries and illness
  • Know if you have any qualified 1st aiders  
  • Carry out dynamic warm-up

At the end:

  • Advise on static cool down
  • Learn from runners and leaders’ experiences (Too hard/easy), Fun, Challenging?
  • Advise activities to do during week
  • Advise of next week’s session
  • Check group members safely
  • Make notes for yourself on how it went
  • Plan the next session.

Detailed Guidance

Before you start:

  • Before you start the run introduce yourself to the group and briefly explain the session that they are about to undertake. Explain what you expect from of them and what they can expect from you.
  • Always ask whether anyone is new to the group and/or is feeling unwell, carrying an injury or has any long term medical condition which may be affected by running.
  • If any runners have medical conditions they should be encouraged to carry “In Case of Emergency” (ICE) identification, plus details of any medical conditions (which should be captured on the app).
  • Ensure you check in all runners ‘check in’ upon arrival on the app
  • Check that all participants have appropriate running shoes and suitable clothing – e.g. high visibility clothing during darker evenings, head torch.
  • Begin every session with a gentle dynamic warm­up of at least 5­-10 minutes, and then bring the group up to the desired running pace

During the session

  • Place the welfare and safety of the group above the development of your own performance
  • Use regular members of the group to set the pace and do not be afraid to slow down the group if it is too fast. Be particularly aware of slower runners or new runners to the group
  • Ensure the faster runners understand that if they go ahead of the main running group then they should muster back to the main group at regular intervals
  • Do not always lead the group from the front. Be aware of the whole group and remember to look out for all runners from the front to the back
  • Appoint a designated tail runner, whenever possible, if you are leading from the front. This may be another Run Leader or an appointed group member
  • Under no circumstances should injured or unwell runners leave the session alone. Always get either a Run Leader or a competent participant to accompany them.

At the end:

  • Ensure a 5 to ­10 minute cool down and stretching session takes place at the end of the session
  • If an accident/incident or near miss has occurred during a session you are required to complete a Accident/Incident or Near Miss form notifying Elaine Shelley or Selina Morris (their details are on the app under “Menu and then Info”