josh maddocks wayne gibbs pantry run downham market — with my friend wayne outside the downham market pantry 5k

What happens when you decide to try as many local running clubs as possible? You meet some incredible people, discover just how different running groups can be, and learn that there's no such thing as one club that suits everybody.

A few months ago, I set myself a challenge.

I wanted to visit the running clubs and groups around King's Lynn and West Norfolk, meet the people behind them and hopefully encourage a few more people to give running a go.

I didn't really know what to expect.

Would I be fast enough? Would I fit in? Would people wonder what on earth I was doing turning up with a camera?

As it turns out, I've had an absolutely brilliant time.

But one of the biggest things I've learned is that finding the right running group isn't always as straightforward as turning up to the first one you find.

And that's absolutely fine.

Sometimes You're Just Trying to Keep Up!

I remember one of my first experiences running with Mark Howard, Nigel and Jo.

Mark is a wheelchair athlete, and alongside Nigel and Jo, they certainly knew how to set a pace!

Meanwhile, I was still trying to break the rust off my legs, and keeping up was proving to be quite the challenge!

But that's something I've come to appreciate about running. Everyone brings different abilities, experiences and strengths. Just because someone approaches the sport differently doesn't mean they aren't going to leave you struggling to keep up!

And the lovely thing is, these weren't just people I ran with once and never saw again.

In fact, Nigel recently paced Emily to a new personal best at the Halloween parkrun! That's exactly the sort of thing I've come to love about our local running community. People supporting each other, celebrating achievements and helping one another improve.

While I found the pace difficult on that first run, everyone was absolutely lovely. I've since made some fantastic connections, and it's a reminder that you don't have to be running at the same pace to be part of the same community.

There was nothing wrong with the people I was running with. Quite the opposite. But I was at a different stage of my running journey, and the pace was a challenge.

I think that's something worth talking about.

If you turn up to a running group and struggle to keep up, it doesn't mean you're a bad runner.

If everyone else seems more experienced, it doesn't mean you don't belong in the running community.

And if you try a group and decide it's not quite what you're looking for, that's okay too.

Not every running group will suit every runner.

That's not a criticism of the groups. It's one of the best things about having so many different options.

Some people want to get faster. Others want to build up their distance, improve their fitness, make friends or simply enjoy an hour away from everyday life.

Some enjoy structured training. Others prefer a relaxed social run.

There's room for all of it.

Discovering the Running Clubs Around King's Lynn

When I started visiting local groups for Josh Maddocks Runs, I didn't want to rank them or decide which was the best.

I wanted to find out what made each one different.

Here's a look at some of the fantastic running communities I've discovered along the way.

Mark, jo, nigel and myself outside customs house.

Customs House Social

Customs House Social was the first group I featured in my running-club series.

Meeting on Thursday evenings in King's Lynn, it's one of the groups that helped kick-start this whole project.

There was something exciting about turning up with the intention of documenting local running, rather than simply going out for another run myself.

It made me realise how much I enjoyed meeting people and sharing their stories.

In a sea of runners for renegades! - can you spot me?

Renegade Runners

Renegade Runners has become particularly special to us as a family.

Emily, the kids and I go along on Tuesday evenings, and it's something we genuinely enjoy doing together.

The group meets at The Walks at 6:30pm, with a good number of runners coming together.

There's a real community feeling, and I love that.

You start recognising familiar faces, catching up with people and feeling part of something.

Running doesn't always have to be a solitary activity. Sometimes it's about having a place where people know your name and look out for one another.

And getting to share that with Emily, Ivy and Jack makes it even better.

Guannock Gait

Guannock Gait is another group I've really enjoyed getting to know.

They meet on Thursday evenings at The Walks, offering different running distances and a strong emphasis on making sure nobody gets left behind.

There's just one problem for me.

Thursday is typically my busiest day of the week!

Between work and my magic bookings, getting along regularly isn't always practical.

And that's another important part of finding a running group.

A club can be absolutely brilliant, but if it doesn't fit around your life, it might not be the right regular option for you.

I'd genuinely love to get more involved with Guannock Gait when I can.

me and my fried ash on the track at Lynsport.

Ryston Runners

Ryston Runners introduced me to another side of the sport.

Based at Lynnsport, they're an established athletics club with structured training and opportunities to develop as a runner.

I went along for a taster session and enjoyed it enough that I subsequently became a member.

I love the idea of improving my running, learning more about training and working towards new personal bests.

I've got my sights set on a sub-30-minute 5K, and being around people who can help me develop is something I really value.

It also shows that you don't have to choose between enjoying social running and wanting to improve.

You can do both.

outside the dersingham co-op where they all meet… just look at that purple!

Dersingham Runners

Dersingham Runners is a relatively young social running group, established in 2024.

They offer a Wednesday evening 5K with the route sent out through Strava.

One thing I've discovered during this project is that you don't need a huge organisation or decades of history to build a running community.

Sometimes all it takes is a few people with the same interest deciding to get together regularly.

And before long, you've got something that means a great deal to its members.

The downham market pantry 5k — With the dersingham runners at the pantry.

The Pantry Sunday Run Club, Downham Market 🥐

One of my latest running club visits took me to The Pantry in Downham Market, and what a lovely way to spend a Sunday morning!

I'd been invited along by Paris from Dersingham Runners, and it was brilliant to catch up with her, her mum Sam, Wayne and plenty of familiar faces from Dersingham, alongside some new ones.

The morning started with a rather foggy 5K, and I can confirm Downham Market has a few more hills than my legs would have liked!

I'd completed parkrun the day before, followed by nearly 25,000 steps taking the kids trick-or-treating over Halloween, so my knees weren't exactly feeling fresh. Thankfully, Wayne was there to keep me going!

But that's what I loved about the experience. It wasn't about setting a fast time or proving anything. It was about getting out on a Sunday morning, enjoying a run and spending time with some genuinely lovely people.

And of course, there's the café afterwards!

I treated myself to a croissant and an iced latte, and couldn't resist taking some goodies home for the family. Carrot cake for Emily and a chocolatey Nutella treat for the kids!

The Pantry Sunday Run Club meets at 9am on selected Sundays, starting from The Pantry on Market Place in Downham Market. It's a free, bookable 5K running event with a lovely social atmosphere.

I also caught up with Sam, who's raising money for Cats Protection, which was another reminder of how much good comes from these running communities.

From the friendly people to the post-run treats, I thoroughly enjoyed this one and will definitely be returning.

And that's another thing I love about the variety of running groups around here. Sometimes it's the running that gets you out of bed, and sometimes it's the coffee, cake and company that make it worth it!

Find out more and book: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-pantry-sunday-run-club-tickets-1987010438711

I balanced my phone on the mommoth for this shot!

JaseRuns

One of the newest groups I've experienced is JaseRuns, organised by Jason Kent.

When I first went along, the Friday evening group was still in its trial stages.

I even joined them for a particularly wet evening!

What I love about something like JaseRuns is watching a community begin to take shape.

There's no decades-old tradition or established routine to live up to.

It's people coming together and seeing where it goes.

I've met some lovely people through those sessions, and it's been brilliant seeing runners encourage one another.

It's a reminder that running communities are still growing, and new ones are being created all the time.

TRC Team Running Club

TRC is another group I've had the pleasure of visiting.

Founded by Kelly, the group meets on Monday evenings around The Walks.

What stood out during my visit was the encouragement between runners and the importance placed on celebrating achievements.

One of the things I've come to appreciate is that personal achievements look different for everybody.

For one person, it might be a race medal or a new PB.

For someone else, it might be completing a distance they've never managed before.

Both deserve celebrating.

Terrington St Clement Running Group

A little further out from King's Lynn, I visited the Wednesday evening running group in Terrington St Clement.

This was another visit where the people really made the experience.

I met runners including Jake, Linda and Wayne, all with their own experiences and stories.

It's those conversations I love most about this project.

You can turn up somewhere expecting to film a straightforward running-club video and end up hearing stories that stay with you long afterwards.

And there's cake involved with this group, which certainly doesn't hurt!

What About Women-Only Running Groups?

This is something particularly close to home.

My wife Emily has found a place with Lynnsport Ladybirds, a women-only running club.

And I absolutely love that.

Ladybirds has been around since 1993, originally starting as the Reebok Running Sisters group.

They welcome women with different abilities and goals, including those who prefer walking, jogging, running or Jeffing, which involves alternating periods of running and walking.

But here's something important.

Emily enjoys running at a faster pace. She didn't want to spend her sessions doing run-walk intervals.

And she shouldn't have to.

The beauty of a group offering different options is that runners can find something that works for them.

For Emily, having other women to run alongside at a pace she enjoys has been a really positive experience.

As a man, Ladybirds isn't a club I can personally join, and I think having that dedicated women-only space is valuable.

Especially with the ongoing conversations about women feeling unsafe running after dark, groups like Ladybirds can offer companionship, confidence and support.

That doesn't mean women should need to run in groups to feel safe. They deserve to feel safe running independently too.

But I'm glad these options exist.

And There Are More Options Too

I also want to acknowledge West Norfolk Athletic Club, another established local athletics club offering opportunities across different disciplines.

I contacted them during my project, although I haven't been able to film a session.

Not every group I've included here is one I've experienced in exactly the same way, and I think it's important to be upfront about that.

There are also other local running groups, organised sessions and informal communities beyond the ones I've featured.

This isn't intended to be a complete list of every opportunity in West Norfolk.

It's a celebration of the groups I've encountered, the people I've met and the different ways runners can get involved.

I met Alec at TRC. he’s running the london marathon next year too!

I've Met Some Incredible People

Looking back over the project, one thing stands out above everything else.

I haven't experienced any negativity.

Not once have I felt that people didn't want me there because of my pace, my size, my ability or the fact I was turning up to film.

I've met experienced runners, complete beginners, marathon runners, people returning to fitness and people who simply enjoy being part of a community.

I've heard stories about fundraising, personal challenges, mental health, achievements and friendships.

And it's reminded me that running has a remarkable ability to bring people together.

We might all have different reasons for putting our trainers on, but we share something in common.

We enjoy running, or at least enjoy how it makes us feel afterwards!

It's Okay If You Don't Find Your Group Straight Away

If there's one thing I'd love people to take away from this article, it's this:

Don't give up on running clubs just because the first one you try doesn't quite suit you.

Maybe the pace is too quick.

Maybe you want something more challenging.

Maybe you're looking for a social run rather than structured training.

Maybe the meeting time clashes with work, family commitments or everything else life throws at you.

Or maybe you simply didn't feel that particular group was your thing.

That's okay.

It doesn't necessarily mean anyone has done anything wrong.

Finding the Right Running Club for You

One of the biggest things I've taken away from this project is just how much variety we have around King's Lynn and West Norfolk.

There are family-friendly groups, women-only clubs, structured training sessions, relaxed social runs and everything in between. Some clubs have been going for decades, while others are just getting started.

And that's what I love about it.

The joy is in the diversity.

Not every group will suit every runner, and that's absolutely fine. You might prefer running with people at a similar pace, want to push yourself with faster runners or simply fancy some company and a chat.

Even the day and time can make all the difference. I've discovered groups I'd love to attend more regularly, but sometimes life and other commitments get in the way.

The important thing is having options.

Thinking About Joining a Running Club?

My advice would be to find a group that interests you and send them a message. Tell them a little about your running experience, what you're hoping to get out of it and ask whether their sessions might suit you.

Then go along and give it a try!

You don't need to be fast, you don't need a collection of race medals and you certainly don't need to have everything figured out.

And if the first group isn't quite right for you, please don't let that put you off trying another.

Throughout this whole project, I've met some genuinely wonderful people and haven't experienced any negativity. Every group has welcomed me, even when I've struggled to keep up!

More Than Just a Running Club

When I started visiting local running clubs, I thought I'd be making a few videos, meeting some runners and hopefully encouraging people to get involved.

What I didn't expect was just how much I'd get out of it myself.

I've made new friends, heard some incredible stories, become a member of an athletics club and watched Emily find a running community of her own.

I've met people who are chasing personal bests, people returning to running after years away and people who simply enjoy getting together each week.

And it's reminded me that there really isn't one right way to be a runner.

You can be competitive or completely uninterested in racing. You can love running alone but still enjoy a group session. You can belong to several clubs or just turn up occasionally when life allows.

Finding your running community isn't about changing who you are to fit in. It's about finding somewhere you can enjoy being yourself.

The Journey Isn't Over Yet!

The funny thing is, the more clubs I visit, the more I seem to discover!

And I've decided I'm going to keep doing this for as long as there are running groups willing to have me along.

Next up is King's Lynn Globetrotters, who I'll be joining for their Remembrance Run on Sunday 8th November. They meet at 8am outside the Corn Exchange in King's Lynn, and I'm really looking forward to meeting everyone.

After that, I've got a visit to Long Sutton with Sarah planned, along with a few other groups I'd love to get to.

And I'm certainly not limiting myself to King's Lynn. I'm happy to explore further afield and see what other running communities are out there!

Could Your Running Group Be Next?

This is where I'd love your help.

If you're involved with a running club, a social running group, a Couch to 5K programme or even a small group of friends who meet for a weekly run, I'd love to hear from you.

It doesn't matter whether you've been established for 30 years or started last week.

I'd love to come along, join you for a run, meet the people involved and help share your story.

Get in touch:

📧 Email: joshmaddocksruns@gmail.com

And if you know a group that deserves a bit more recognition, please pass this article on to them!

Ultimately, I hope these visits encourage more people to get involved in running, particularly those who might feel nervous about turning up somewhere for the first time.

The running community has given me so much already, and if sharing these experiences helps even one person find somewhere they feel welcome, then it's all been worthwhile.

There's always another running club to discover, another story to tell and another person to meet.

See you at the next one!

Josh 🏃‍♂️

PB with J | Personal Best with Josh

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Running Clubs in King's Lynn: Finding Your People, One Run at a Time