Welcome to the Benson Striders website
Benson Striders is a friendly, local running club based in the village of Benson, South Oxfordshire. We aim to encourage our members to achieve their personal goals, whatever they may be, with the help of a fun and supportive bunch of fellow runners. The club consists of a wide range of members, some who are lifelong runners and some who are only just beginning, but they are all united by a passion for running and being active.
We cater for all abilities in small groups, offering a variety of different distances so you’ll always have someone to run alongside. We run on a combination of roads, footpaths and bridleways in the beautiful countryside around Benson. In the summer we enjoy running on the towpath by the River Thames and in the winter, you’ll find us on country lanes in the Chilterns around the villages of Warborough, Ewelme and Chalgrove.
For those who like a challenge, we always have groups entering the local Chitern Chase, Chalgrove and Wallingford 10K and Oxford and Reading half marathons each year. Some of our more experienced runners also enter the London marathon and other long-distance races around the country. If these events appeal to you, we can help by providing other runners to train with, as well as training plans and general advice.
We cater for all abilities in small groups, offering a variety of different distances so you’ll always have someone to run alongside. We run on a combination of roads, footpaths and bridleways in the beautiful countryside around Benson. In the summer we enjoy running on the towpath by the River Thames and in the winter, you’ll find us on country lanes in the Chilterns around the villages of Warborough, Ewelme and Chalgrove.
For those who like a challenge, we always have groups entering the local Chitern Chase, Chalgrove and Wallingford 10K and Oxford and Reading half marathons each year. Some of our more experienced runners also enter the London marathon and other long-distance races around the country. If these events appeal to you, we can help by providing other runners to train with, as well as training plans and general advice.
Why not come along and “try before you buy”!
If you’re able to run a 3 mile or 5K distance, come and join us for a free trial session on Saturday morning at 8.15am. Drop us an email so that we can be sure to give you a warm welcome at info@bensonstriders.com.
Saturday Social Run
Saturdays at 8.15am
Benson Parish Hall (Sunnyside)
This is our main social run. After a 5-minute warm up, our trained leaders will offer a selection of different routes to ensure there is a distance and pace to suit everyone. These smaller groups, which are all accompanied by a leader, allow us to provide an enjoyable, safe run for everyone.
Speed and Stamina
Wednesday evenings at 7.30pm
Benson Parish Hall (winter)
Cow Common (summer) - CURRENT LOCATION
Wednesday night interval sessions (hills in the summer) are coached sessions aimed at increasing cardiovascular fitness and speed as well as improving running form. They follow a varied programme of sessions that are inclusive and appropriate for most level of runner. It’s all about challenging yourself and making improvements alongside fellow runners who can help boost your motivation and provide camaraderie.
We start at 1930 from the Parish Hall on Sunnyside September through to May and from Cow Common carpark May through to September. Hi viz clothing recommended all year round and a head or body torch is essential for the darker evenings from September to May. Come and give these friendly and inclusive sessions a go. We’d love to have you join us.
Circuit Training
Monday evenings at 7.30pm
Benson Youth Hall
On a Monday indoor training in the form of circuits focuses on building core strength and muscular endurance. These sessions are held on a Monday at 7.30 in Benson Parish Hall, throughout school term time. Please be aware that there is an additional cost involved and for safety purposes there are limited spaces. If you are interested in attending, email the club to enquire if there are any spaces available
What about beginners?
If you’re new to running, why not try the “Couch to 5K” programme? This is a beginner’s running plan which uses an app (or podcast) to help you gradually build up to run a 5K distance in just nine weeks. The plan is very easy to follow and totally achievable because it starts by walking, followed by running for just 1 minute at a time. Each week the walking is gradually replaced by running until, by week nine, you’re running a 5K distance!
Our last C25K group are now running 5K and beyond every week! We are likely to run another course in the Spring (starting April / May). Please email us to add yourself to the list for the next programme - info@bensonstriders.com. .
Find out more about the Couch to 5K programme please visit the NHS website:
https://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/c25k/Pages/get-running-with-couch-to-5k.aspx