BIRTLEY AC
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      • Photos by John Geddes
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Coaches and Training

Meet Our Coaches


Tommy Millmore Level 3
​Endurance Group Coach

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Signed Code of Conduct

Ed Lown Level 3 Development Coach
​Age group 9 - 15 (also supervising 6 - 8 age group)

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Lee Drummond
​Joggers Group and Couch to 5K Coach

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Zoe Towers
​Joggers Group and Couch to 5K Coach

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Signed Code of Conduct

Graeme Towers
​Run Leader

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Stephanie Young
Run Leader

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Signed Code of Conduct

Steve Palmer
Run Leader

Signed Code of Conduct

Assistant Coach:

Fiona Hopkins


Training Groups

Different training sessions are planned by each coach, and vary depending on age group. The senior group may have a hill session one day, followed by a parlauf or some speed work in the following session. Other variations are relays, handicaps, pylon/lamppost sessions, and strides, with a variety of strength, speed and endurance training incorporated within the sessions. 

 Endurance Group Training

The squad has a range of ages from late teens upwards. We have a mixture of abilities varying from athletes who have some running background and feel confident to start training with a group, along with county, regional, national, and international athletes and all standards in between.
Training is mainly around speed endurance, and the sessions are set in a way that all athletes, no matter their current fitness or experience, will be able to take part and feel part of the squad.
We are a friendly squad of athletes who welcome everyone to come along and give it a go.
The aim is to help athletes reach their full potential, whatever that may be, but most of all enjoy their training and progress in the sport.
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Joggers Group Training

Our Joggers group is a relatively new addition to Birtley AC. We started the group after the completion of one of our Couch to 5K programmes. It is based on the training principles of the endurance group, but it offers a more manageable session for those that are new to running, coming back from injury, or trying out a running club for the first time.
We offer a variety of group sessions and runs that really will suit all abilities and paces. No one ever gets left behind.
We are passionate about making our club available to runners of all levels and this group really embraces this. 
As long as you can run 3 miles you will be able to manage our sessions.
The "Joggers" are a really friendly bunch, they offer support and encouragement to each other at all times ​. Come along and join us, you really won't regret it!
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Routes

Below are a series of links to the Good Run Guide which has been used to plot training routes from and around Lord Lawson. These routes often incorporate sessions which can be either strength, speed or endurance depending on the route or training requirements. 


  • Winter 1 mile Time Trial – a time trial to measure performance.
  • 3 mile loop from Lord Lawson – great warm up route before a session on the grass.
  • 6.5 miles Lord Lawson/Durham Road/Chow Dean Bank/LowFell/Lord Lawson – endurance.
  • 3 mile Loop around Hotels & back – can be used for speed work.
  • 2 mile New Hill Loop – strength.
  • 5.9 mile Sunday morning loop from Beamish – endurance.
  • 9.28 miles Loop Lord Lawson/Chester le St/Waldridge – endurance.
  • 6.5 miles Vigo Loop – endurance .

Location

Our Club Ethos

We welcome all ages and abilities from 7 upwards.  Young or old, fast or slow, everyone is welcome. Come along any Tuesday or Thursday at 6.45pm for a taster session and see if you can catch the running bug!

Contact Us

MEMBERSHIPS
  • Home
  • Club Info
    • Club Info
    • Contact Us
    • FAQ
    • Membership Form
    • Social Membership Form
    • Membership Weekly Payment Page
    • Coach and Training Info
    • Welfare Officers
    • Data Protection Policy
    • Safeguarding & Codes of Conduct Documents
    • Birtley AC Committee Minutes
  • Club Shop
  • Fixtures, Results & Calendar
  • News
  • Our Races
    • 8th Birtley Junior XC Relays 2025
    • Junior Relays - Race Day Info
  • The Social
    • The Social Club
    • Confessions of a Vet
    • Photos >
      • Photos by John Geddes
      • Photos by Stuart Whitman
  • Shortcuts
  • Useful links
  • Invoice set up
  • Birtley Junior XC Relay Results 2024