Mental Health parkrun
13/05/2024
Update: The next Mental Health parkrun is at Braunstone on 25th May.
Supporting runners of all abilities near Broughton Astley
About us
Welcome to Squirrels Running Group! We are a friendly community of runners based in the beautiful village of Broughton Astley and neighbouring areas of south-west Leicestershire.
Squirrels was formed in 2012 and we now have in excess of 100 members, from Couch to 5k to Ultra marathon runners! In January 2024 Squirrels became UK Athletics affiliated.
We welcome all abilities of runners, and have a strong mentality of positive encouragement and creating a supportive environment for each other. We also focus on the social aspect of running.
We look forward to welcoming you to the group.
News
Quiz Night
11/05/2024
Update: Thanks to Sarah Anderson and everyone involved in the organisation of the event and thank you for all the prize donations. Also thank you to all everyone who came to the quiz and/or bought raffle tickets. Finally thank you to Rebecca Austin for the quiches & sausage rolls to add to the buffet. Over £400 was raised for the...
Squirrels On Tour - Glasgow 2024
07/05/2024
Those who have been lucky enough to travel with Squirrel's to Benidorm the past few years, will know what an absolutely fantastic time we have. We are now pleased to confirm that this year's trip away will be to Glasgow!
Nutty News
06/05/2024
Every Monday morning a new edition of Nutty News keeps you up to date with goings-on at Squirrel's Running Group.
Membership - What we offer
Group training runs for all levels of runners
Group training runs are a great way for runners of all levels to improve their fitness and stay motivated. We are proud to cater for all abilities.
Qualified UK Athletics run leaders and coaches
Our group training runs are led by UK Athletics qualified run leaders and coaches.
Discounts & a Christmas present
Joining our group means you will be UK Athletics affiliated, therefore you will receive a £2 discount when entering many races. We also give all members a Christmas present and have sourced discount codes at some of the top running gear retailers!
Support and camaraderie from fellow runners
We have several members who have started running from scratch with zero fitness and are now proud Ultra marathon runners! We are a supportive bunch keen to help each other out. Many of us attend races and events together.
Social events and community involvement
Your membership fee gets you subsidised grub & a drink at our awards event and parties, and you can attend the several other social events we organise each year. In past years this has included a trip for the Benidorm half marathon! (this is not included in your membership fee!)
Regular track sessions
We have a regular monthly track session at the Pingles stadium in Nuneaton. The cost of this is covered by the group.
Group runs
The group organises two runs each week that are a mixture of paced runs and intervals. Run nights are Monday and Wednesday, starting at 6:30pm from the White Horse pub car park in Broughton Astley.
You don't need to be a member to start running with us - let us know you are coming and try us out for the first few runs.
All abilities and paces are catered for.
Couch-to-5k
Each year we offer a Couch-to-5K programme. This is suitable for anyone looking to try or return to running.
- No previous running experience needed
- Suitable for ANY fitness level
- For anyone aged 12+ with no upper age limit
- We are a friendly social group - come along and make new friends
- All groups led by insured UK Athletics Run Leaders
- A fun way to get fitter, lose weight and improve mental health
The Community
The group organises social events such as bake-offs, award evenings, quizzes, and Christmas parties.
Many members participate in and volunteer at races & events locally, nationally and even abroad.
The group has Standards which encourage members to set themselves time or distance goals to improve their running ability and confidence.
Testimonials
I joined Squirrels a year ago during their Couch to 5k program and haven't looked back. With the amazing support through Squirrels I have got faster, completed numerous races including a couple of half a marathons, and now look forward to completing my first marathon in 2023! Such a supportive, knowledgeable, inclusive group. I just don't think there is a better group out there!
Zoe Fox
23rd December 2022
Really friendly group who have lots of different pace groups so anyone can be part of it. The run leaders are very good a getting all the individual groups out and back to meet up at the end. They also arrange some varied sessions to keep thing interesting. If you do an event with them, they always cheer everyone home. It give you such a lift. Lovely people
Clive Grafton-Reed
18th July 2019
They say people are friendlier up north but I have never met a group of friendly, encouraging and supportive set of people as the Squirrels. The motto of no-one gets left behind says it all. I came as a park runner and I am leaving as a marathon runner with massive achievements at all distances, you have changed my life.
Andrew Bannon
16th May 2024
Merchandise & Discounts
Check out the exclusive member discounts as well as official Squirrels merchandise and items from our partners.
Contact the group
Do you need to contact us?
If you are interested in joining Squirrels Running Group or have any questions, we would love to hear from you!
You can contact us through email or Facebook and we will get back to you as soon as possible.