The South Riding Running Club is a Northern Virginia community of runners and walkers of all levels and ability. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to participate regardless of age, gender, athletic inclination, and goals.
Questions? Comments?
Contact us:
srrunner@srrunners.org
Make it thy business to know thyself, which is the most difficult lesson in the world. -- Miguel de Cervantes
Run Host Information
Hosting Duties
All our weekend runs have a sponsor or run "host." The host is a club member who has volunteered to lead the run that day. The run host
- Committs to being at the starting location for the run.
- Puts water out somewhere along the route for the day (if necessary).
- Makes sure that newcomers and visitors are welcomed and have company for the run.
- Brings directions for the route (if necessary).
- Tries to start the run on time.
- Picks up any litter left behind at the water stop(s) so that we leave our neighborhood as good as (or better than) we found it.
Near the end of each quarter a sign-up list circulates via e-mail to the whole club. The run schedule is then posted to the SRRC web site. If you want to host a run, pick a date and respond to the e-mail. It's first come, first served. Hosting a run is optional, so if you'd prefer to just show up and run, that's fine. Weekday runs don't have hosts, but someone is usually there.
Hosting Menu
What should the run host provide? Somewhere about half way through the distance of the scheduled run, the host should place two gallons of drinking water and some paper cups on the route at a noticeable landmark; for example, at an intersection. The same should be available for runners at the finish. In the summer, a bottle of sports/electrolyte drink is a nice bonus. Weekend runs often have a good turnout, so if you don't open one of the jugs of water on one weekend, feel free to pay it forward to the next run host.
If you use any kind of a cooler, make sure that it is clearly labeled as being for the SRRC run. (An overzealous neighbor could still treat it as litter and pick it up, so take that into account.) Generally, tying the water and cups in a supermarket bag is fine, and putting a label on it can prevent confusion.
If the total run is shorter than about five miles, having water only at the finish is fine. If it's really hot outside, water every 15 minutes or so becomes important, so refreshment at about the 2.5 mile mark would be appropriate.
Other Questions
If you have other questions or concerns, take advantage of the SRRC e-mail list. You'll be able to send messages to the whole club as well as read messages of interest to all. You can also find answers to many other questions by checking our Getting Started and Orientation pages.