Totley AC is inclusive for all running abilities weather you are new to running, experienced, slow, average or fast. Our training runs cover different types of terrain throughout the year including road, trail and fell. Having the appropriate kit is important for your own safety and comfort during a training session. Our club can advise you on this if new to running but as a guide have outlined some recommended kit in the section below.
Totley AC prides itself on supporting all runners so will encourage the faster runners to loop back for the slower ones. This will keep everyone moving and ensure we all get the most from our run and never leave anyone behind! Those who find themselves looping back continuously may want to consider a faster group and those who feel a little under pressure keeping up with the pace may want to try a slower group. We will always endeavour to provide a range of groups to meet the ability or preference of runners. On our club nights run leaders will organise routes and the approximate time it will take based on an assumed pace and distance. This will sometimes need to be changed on the night when accessing the ability of the group during the run. In some situations, this may mean finishing a little later than planned but we will always try to avoid overrunning with the understanding that runners have other commitments.
Dependent on run leader availability, club runs will normally be split into different categories. These are detailed below within the separate pages, with a guide to pace/distance, and some example routes (coming soon). If you are in doubt as to whether you can manage a particular run speak to the organised run leader or training coordinator and they will be able to help you decide. Contact training@totleyac.org.uk
| Summer | Schedule | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | Circuits | Totley AC Pavilion | 7pm (Bank Holidays – 9am) |
| Tuesday | Road run – fast & social groups | The Hammer and Pincers | 6.30pm |
| Head Torch Run – Medium pace | Totley AC Pavilion | 6.30pm | |
| Wednesday | Baby Friendly Circuits | Totley AC Pavilion | 10.00am |
| Circuits | Totley AC Pavilion | 7pm (2-3 times a month) – check the calendar | |
| Intervals – currently on the track | Woodbourn Road Track – £5 | 6:30 pm – 7:45 pm | |
| Thursday | Beginners group | Millhouses Park, Beauchief end car park | 9.30am to 10.30am |
| Improvers (interval sessions) | Waggon & Horses, near the bus stop | 6.30pm | |
| Head Torch Run – Social pace | The Peak District – Check the calendar for this week’s location | 6.45pm | |
| Sunday | Social off-road run | Various Peak District locations. See calendar | 9AM |
| Recommended Kit | ||
|---|---|---|
| Must have | Optional | |
| Off Road (Trail / Fell) Season: Spring / Summer | – Running Shoes – ICE (In case of emergency) details | – Fell or Trail Shoes – Water – Light weight rain coat Energy Gel or equivalent |
| Head Torch (Trail /Fell) Season: Autumn / Winter | – Fell or Trail Shoes – Head Torch (fully charged or new batteries) – ICE details | – Rain coat – Energy Gel or equivalent – Hat and gloves |
| Road / Improvers Season: Spring / Summer | – Running Shoes – High Viz – ICE details | – Water – Light weight rain coat – Energy Gel or equivalent |
| Road / Improvers Season: Autumn / Winter | – Running Shoes – High Viz /reflective – ICE details | – Head/body torch – Rain coat – Energy Gel or equivalent Hat and gloves |
Circuits
7pm Monday & Wednesday (9am on Bank Holidays)
Circuits is held at our pavilion in Totley and is free to all Totley AC members.
Monday and Wednesday (baby friendly) are every week. Wednesday evening boot camp happens 2 weeks on, and one week off – check the calendar for when it’s on.
Forget that noisy, smelly, claustrophobic room. The outdoors is the best place to get your fix! Maximize your workout – Combine cardiovascular exercise with resistance training. (Bring breakfast on Bank Holidays)
Baby-Friendly Circuits – 10 AM Wednesday
The circuits is more of an informal opportunity for mums / dads/ etc to exercise together and bring their babies along. We put on a timer and some music, put out some mats and follow our own exercises for an hour. With a cup of tea and chat after 
It’s very much a social opportunity with a bit of exercise thrown in!
It’s either inside or outside depending on the weather. There’s no age limit to the babies. Ones that aren’t crawling sometimes make things easier as they stay in one place, but we often have people with small babies having to do a lot of squats with the babies in a sling!
For more info, contact: baby.circuits@totleyac.org.uk
Tuesday Fell / Road run
6.30 pm
Spring / Summer
Totley Pavilion (S17 3BD opposite side of the cricket field to the Cricket Inn)
Off-road social runs exploring the superb scenery of moorlands and woodlands around Totley. We split into two or three groups catering to all abilities and speeds.
No need to decide in advance. Turn up at 6.30pm and see how you feel. No-one will be left behind. 😊
| Off Road (Fell / Trail) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Group | Distance | Approx Pace (if on flat) | Suitability | Example Routes |
| 1) Medium/Fast | 8-10 Miles | <8:15min/m | Those confident they can keep pace with some of the clubs’ faster runners. Little to no walking up hills. Suitable for someone at the front and looping back on Medium / Steady Runs. | |
| 2) Medium / Steady | 7-8 Miles | 8:15 – 10min/m | Those wanting to push a little bit harder. Some walking up the hills. Happy to have a few brief stops to catch breath. Suitable for someone at the front and looping back on Slower / Gentle Runs. | |
| 3) Slower / Gentle | 4-6 Miles | >10min/m Tailored to slowest within the group | Those happy to have a more relaxed run. Suitable for beginners with some running experience. Walking up the hills would be acceptable. Regular stops to catch breath. | |
Autumn / Winter
Hammer & Pincers pub in Bents Green (Sheffield S11 7PW – don’t park in the pub car park!)
These runs from Bents Green are on the road for the darker nights. There are usually a medium pace and a steady pace group.
Off road Head Torch run – Totley AC pavilion. Steady pace (9-11km)
Members can request join our WhatsApp group via web@totleyac.org.uk
Thursday Fell Run or Improvers on Road
6.30 pm
Spring / Summer
Totley Pavilion (S17 opposite side of the cricket field to the Cricket Inn)
Road
Off-Road
Thursday off-road runs are more social, with no fast group. 2 social groups and a visit to the pub afterwards. Runs explore the superb scenery of moorlands and woodlands around Totley. Once a month, there will be an ‘away’ run. Please check the calendar.
- Group 1 (Steady) A social/steady group that will do about 6 miles
- Group 2 (Slower) A gentle pace, 4 to 5 miles
No need to decide in advance. Turn up at 6.30pm and see how you feel. No-one will be left behind. Faster runners will tend to loop back.
Autumn / Winter
Road
We offer an Improvers (intervals) session. At some point in the autumn – until the end of December, we meet outside the Wagon and Horses pub at Millhouses and from January onwards at a New location yet to be decided. The calendar and the dedicated Improvers page should have up-to-date information for the next session.
Off-Road
There is usually a steady head torch run starting at 6.45 pm from different locations in the Peak District – See the calendar for the location each week or request to join the WhatsApp Group.
Members can request join our WhatsApp group via web@totleyac.org.uk
Morning Social Runs
Sunday 9am
We meet on Sunday mornings for a sociable run through the Derbyshire Peak District, meeting at different locations each week of the month. The runs last approximately 90 minutes at a leisurely pace and take in all the fabulous views as you can see from the photos.
The runs are usually followed by a visit to the local cafe for tea ‘n cake.
See the calendar to check this week’s location or check the table below.
So, don’t waste your Sunday mornings in bed, get out and join us! All are welcome.
Members can request join our WhatsApp group via web@totleyac.org.uk
| Which Sunday | Location |
|---|---|
| 1st | The first Sunday of each month will feature a different location. Check the training calendar for the latest location. |
| 2nd | Hathersage – Car park opposite the swimming pool. Please be considerate to local people regarding parking and noise. |
| 3rd | Eyam – Car park opposite the museum. |
| 4th | Longshaw – National Trust car park near the Fox House Pub. |
| 5th | (if applicable) Venue decided a few days before. Check the calendar for details. |
Beginners Group
9.30 am Thursday
Totley AC works with RunEngland to encourage people to run and be fit. This group is for people who want to start running, improve health and fitness or runners who want to return to club running but are not quite ready.
Anyone wanting to develop running fitness is welcome to join The Millhouses Beginners Group No membership to any club is required and it is FREE.
The session starting at 9.30am every Thursday morning lasts an hour with warm-up, fitness drills and a run in Ecclesall Woods. All the activities are led by qualified Running Leaders and a Coach, enabling individuals to work at their own level of fitness and to develop.
They have a Facebook page here: millhousesfulwoodrungroups
Head Torch Runs
6.30 pm Tuesday, 6.45 Thursday
To retain a winter off-road option, we offer a head torch run from Totley AC Pavilion on a Tuesday and through the Peak District on a Thursday, meeting at different locations each week (autumn/winter months only).
The calendar is used to confirm the Thursday location each week. Locations often decided 1st via WhatsApp.
The runs last approximately 90 minutes at a leisurely pace. The runs are usually followed by a visit to the local pub. Please bring a head torch, spare batteries (if possible), a spare warm layer, waterproofs, hat/buff/ and gloves.
Members can request join our WhatsApp group via web@totleyac.org.uk