Not run with the Blues before? Why not come along and try a few group runs with us before becoming a member. You’ll be made very welcome. The group runs leave our clubhouse on The Pill at the specified time (so arrive before this); each group has a runner who leads the route with regrouping/looping points. No runner will be on their own. In the winter months, don’t forget your hi-viz!

England Athletics qualified coaches and run leaders (DBS checked): Andy Ingle, Gemma Steele, Candace Jewell, Andy Walter

• Senior ladies: Monday 6pm, strength training
• Senior: Tuesday 5.30pm, 5k at approx 10:30min/mile to 11:30min/mile, with regrouping points and looping back to support all runners in the group. Ask for Andy when you arrive.
• Senior: Tuesday 6pm, interval training for mixed abilities. Ask for Gemma when you arrive.
• Senior Tuesday training sessions for advanced runners please get in touch for more information and availability. Fully paid 1st claim runners only.
• Senior: Wednesday 6pm, approx 4 miles at 10 min/mile, with regrouping points and looping back to support all runners in the group. Ask for Sabrina when you arrive.
• Senior Thursday 5.15pm, 4 miles at 9:30 to 10:30 min/mile, with regrouping points and looping back to support all runners in the group. Ask for Candy when you arrive.
• Senior: Thursday 5.30pm, 5k at approx 10:30min/mile to 11:30min/mile, with regrouping points and looping back to support all runners in the group. Ask for Andy when you arrive.
• Senior: Thursday 6pm, 5+ miles at your own pace, 9:30min/mile and under, with regrouping points and looping back to support all runners in the group. Ask for Gemma when you arrive.

Simply get in touch for more information. There is no additional charge for any of the training groups or sessions.

Children of all abilities age 6 and above are welcome, however there is currently a waiting list* and places must be booked. If your child is interested we would welcome hearing from you, please get in touch.
*Please note to join the waiting list, your child’s must have reached their 6th birthday.

England Athletic qualified coaches and coaching assistants (all DBS checked): Sharon Cloak, Dave Cloak, Tracey Wilson, Mark Curtis, Holly Webbe

• Tuesday evening, children of all abilities age 9 and above
• Wednesday evening, building confidence age 9 and above
• Thursday evening, children of all abilities age 6 to 8, and children of all abilities age 9 and above

Throughout the year, there are additional member events, and those wishing to compete are actively encouraged to take part in the Devon Open Series Track & Field League, Devon Sportshall League, Westward League Cross Country and the North Devon Cross Country League.

Members representing Bideford AAC in competition, races and events, or taking part in club member events, must wear official club colour kit, however this is not essential on training nights..

Bideford AAC Club membership must be paid in full and runs annually from 1 January to 31 December.

The Running Section is affiliated to England Athletics (reference 2657673), the membership and development body for athletics and running clubs in England. This means there are standards and regulations the club abides to, and the club has a registered colour and kit design which is to be worn when members represent Bideford AAC in competition, races and events, or take part in club member events.

Members also have the option to become individually registered with England Athletics. This runs from 1 April to 31 March annually. You receive a Competitors Licence number with a Unique Registration Number (URN) which means you are eligible for a host of competition and membership benefits/discounts; it also gives a minimum £2 discount per race entry.

The Running Section is also affiliated to South of England Athletic Association and Devon County Athletics Association.

• New Year’s Day Two Bridges, senior and junior courses followed by bring and share buffet, bar is open and every runner wins a prize.
• Good Friday Relays, mixed relay race for seniors and juniors around the outside of Bideford’s Victoria Park, followed by bring and share buffet, bar is open and every runners wins a prize.
• Summer Handicap Series senior and junior races with runners starting at staggered times, based on ability; the slowest first and the fastest last with the aim that everyone finishes at roughly the same time. Prizes after each race.
• Subsidised coach and mini bus trips to races during the year
• Team events open only to club members such as Westward Cross Country League and the North Devon Relays.

Members taking part in club member events, must wear official club colour kit to represent a club organised event and for safety to aid marshals on the courses.

Our members, family-friendly clubhouse offers toilets, changing rooms, showers, training hall, fitness equipment and bar/social area. The General Club Committee look after our clubhouse including maintenance, facilities, equipment, bar/social area and associated insurances.

Clubhouse hall and facilities are generally open from 5/6pm on weekdays until the bar/social area closes for various training groups; access to fitness equipment is usually available during this time just kindly check with groups using the hall. The hall and facilities are available for our members to book/use at other times, please contact the General Club Secretary, Candy, for availability (fair notice may be required).
Members can also book the hall and bar/social area for family occasions, if available, please contact the General Club Secretary or speak to a member of the General Club Committee

Bar/social area is family-friendly and serves a range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and is open Tuesday to Friday from 7pm and at other times by arrangement and for member events. You are very welcome to bring family and friends with you; social membership is also available.

Entering events and races

It is important you list your club as Bideford AAC (not Bideford Blues, Bideford Amateur Athletic Club or BAAC).
Members representing Bideford AAC in competition, races and events, or taking part in club member events, must wear official club colour kit, however this is not essential on training nights.

Club kit and clothing

Adult and kids general club clothing and accessories are available from our Portlantis online store for delivery.
Official club colour kit including running vests and T-shirts are available from the clubhouse.

Club London Marathon place

Each year Bideford AAC Running Section is allocated London Marathon club place(s) by England Athletics. The number of places allocated is dependent upon the number of senior members individually affiliated with England Athletics. To qualify and apply for the club London Marathon place applicants must meet the following criteria and applications should be made in writing or via email:

1. A fully paid Bideford AAC member and a fully paid athlete registered with England Athletics
2. Attended the Running Section Annual General Meeting preceding the draw
3. Applied personally for a London Marathon place and be able to supply their rejection letter/email
4. Assisted at a minimum of two Club events during the 12 months preceding the draw with examples supplied
5. Cannot previously have been drawn and accepted a club marathon place

• Two Castles 10k14 June 2026

  James Jewell 39:33, Gemma Steele 51:34, Candy Jewell pacing her goddaughter in her first race in 1:29:47

• Comrades Ultra Marathon14 June 2026

  Massive congratulations to Richard Dixon for completing this 53 mile ultra in 08:38:46 👏🏻👏🏻

• Start Fitness Fast 500013 June 2026

  Nick Lapham 15:51 1st MV35, John O’Donoghue 15:54 1st MV40 – both running under 16 minutes for the first time smashing their PBs!

  Representing England and helping to win the Peninsula Trophy against Cornwall: Simon Mugglestone 17:07 2nd MV55, Sammy Antell 18:17 2nd FV35, Kenny James 20:42, John Shapland 21:41 1st MV70.

• Yeovilton 5k10 June 2026

  Chasing PBs in the latest race: Adrian Prust 17:27, Tom Owen 18:33

• Bude Lifeboat Run10 June 2026

  Our women brought home the silverware at the Bude Lifeboat Run by winning the Ladies Team Prize, the men claiming 2nd Male Team, and several age category winners taking home cake! It was also fantastic to see so many of our juniors taking part in the junior races,

  Ben Edwards 40:57 3rd MV35, Vince Helliwell 44:22 2nd MV55, Mark Curtis 44:41, Chris Stone 45:28 1st MV55, Will Croxford 46:17, Jane Cann 47:22 2nd FV40, Natasha Cornish 52:22 3rd FV50, Gemma Steele 53:43, Jenny Routley 57:12, Clive Bright 58:05, Michelle Bright 58:05, Jess Gierke 59:52, Sally Piper 1:00:10, Jo Hedderly 1:01:02, Geoff Panter 1:02:23, Phillip Thomas 1:07:54

Junior female • Junior male • Senior female • Senior male

Club records are updated annually, please get in touch with senior running if you think you have a new club record with your name, race name, time and date.

Senior running

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Junior running

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For Junior waiting list enquiries please include the child’s date of birth

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Bideford AAC is run by volunteers with members and helpers giving their time for free in many different ways:

• Coaching or running training sessions (seniors and juniors)
• Joining the club, running or rowing committee (typically meeting once per month)
• Our club events and three races take a lot of planning and organisation including marshalling, timing, drink stations, clubhouse refreshments to name just a few
• Helping out behind the bar one night approximately every four weeks (Monday to Thursday only)

If would like to help to continue the success of the club and help to offer more please get in touch.