Ready to take the mic? Your ULTIMATE guide to run hosting an FRC session
- Fulham Running Club
- 16 hours ago
- 4 min read
New to hosting, want to learn the ropes, or looking to brush up on your briefing skills? Read our latest guide by Rick Cannon (Chair) and Dylan Williams (Volunteer & Club Runs Manager) to find out everything you need to know about leading a session, earning marathon ballot entries, and taking your coaching to the next level with FRC!
Whether you are a seasoned speaker or stepping up to host for the very first time, we know that grabbing the megaphone can feel a little daunting. Don't worry—we’ve all been there! Fulham Running Club is built on a welcoming, supportive community, and nobody is expecting a flawless West End performance.
If you'd prefer to dip your toe in first, we are more than happy to pair you up to shadow an experienced host until you feel comfortable taking the reins yourself.
Ready to jump straight in? You can view all available sessions and book your slot on our Hosting Sign-Up Spreadsheet (Note: Do not share personal contact details on the sheet!).
Why host an FRC run?
Fulham Running Club is completely community-driven and powered entirely by our fantastic team of volunteers. Simply put: without hosts, our weekly sessions couldn't happen.
Hosting is a brilliant way to get to know fellow members, give back to the club that keeps us all moving, and help build the warm, inclusive atmosphere FRC is known for. Plus, stepping up as a host comes with a few extra perks...
Seven opportunities every single week to host!
We have seven distinct slots across the week that need friendly hosts to lead the charge. You can check out all our session breakdowns on our Weekly Runs page.
Tuesday Intervals (2 Hosts): Two roles available! Choose between leading at Stevenage Road / Craven Cottage or up at the Barn Elms Track.
Thursday Club Run (3 Hosts): Three distinct roles up for grabs each week! Lead our main Social Run, keep the squad together as a Backmarker, or host our Tempo session.
Sunday 10 Before 10 and 10@10 (2 Hosts): Following our successful trial, 10 Before 10 is here to stay! That means two slots available—or one superstar can double up and host both back-to-back.
How to host: The step-by-step briefing notes
Hosting is straightforward when you break it down. Here is your handy cheat-sheet for session day:
Before You Begin
Read up: Familiarise yourself with our Health & Safety Policy.
Charge up: Always carry a fully charged phone with you (applies to both Leaders and Tail Runners/Backmarkers).
At the Session Briefing
Introductions: Introduce yourself clearly, ask any new runners to give a quick wave and introduce themselves, and encourage everyone to say hi to someone new.
Safety first:
Outline key safety warnings (respect other people, watch out for dogs and traffic).
Highlight adverse weather conditions (e.g., slippery paths, extreme heat).
Winter Evening Sessions Only: Remind everyone about mandatory visibility (high-vis jackets and/or headtorches are required).
Remind runners to let a leader know if they plan to leave the session early.
Club promotions:
Upcoming events: Promote upcoming social and race events (check the latest listings on our Club Events and Race Diary pages). If there is a monthly social happening that night, please make sure you mention it!
Share how to stay connected: The website is the best place for official info, but we also have an active Facebook group and WhatsApp community. Highlight that WhatsApp is where live updates happen, but as the link isn't shared publicly, new runners should just ask any host or member at the session to get added!
EA Membership: Remind people that while FRC is completely free to join, we do offer an England Athletics (EA) option. EA membership gives runners access to store discounts, multiple free races, and so much more—plus, it directly helps us fund things like coach development, subsidised race entries, and club events!
The session outline:
Briefly explain the route and structure of the run.
Tuesday Tip: Remind everyone that intervals are personal—don't compare yourself to others, and aim for consistent effort from first rep to last.
Thursday Tip: Introduce your Backmarker and Tempo Host. Hand over to the Tempo Host so they can explain their specific session.
Sunday Tip: Encourage everyone to stick around for a coffee and chat at the café afterwards!
Before you leave
Take a headcount before leaving, and make sure everyone is accounted for upon return.
Grab a team photo—because as we all know, Strava or it didn't happen!
Bonus credits: Enter the London Marathon club ballot
Did you know that volunteering directly boosts your chances of securing a spot at the Start Line in Greenwich? Every session you host earns you entries into our annual Christmas party draw—as long as you meet our basic annual criteria (volunteering 4+ times, racing 3 times for FRC, holding First Claim membership, and showing proof of main ballot rejection).
Want to take your hosting to the next level?
For members who host regularly and want to develop their skills even further, FRC is always looking to support those looking to gain official England Athletics qualifications. It is a fantastic way to deepen your running knowledge while helping us build an even stronger coaching setup as our club grows.
LiRF (Leadership in Running Fitness): A virtual programme preparing you to safely lead fun, inclusive group sessions for runners of all abilities.
CiRF (Coach in Running Fitness): An in-person qualification (requiring a LiRF prerequisite) for those looking to coach runners across road, cross country, and trail disciplines.
Interested in finding out more? Get in touch with a member of the Executive Committee!
Ready to step up?
Hosting is fun, incredibly rewarding, and keeps our FRC community running smoothly. Whether you want to lead a session next week or shadow someone else first, we’d love to have you on board!
👉 Click here to view the sign-up spreadsheet and claim your session! (Please remember not to share personal contact information on the sheet).
Comments