How to Join KADS

How to Try Out and Join KADS

At KADS we pride ourselves on being a welcoming and inclusive running club. We're there to support each other in running, whether you want to run socially, do some occasional races or want to improve your pace and take on bigger personal running challenges. It's up to you, but whatever you opt to do you can be assured your fellow KADS will be there to help.

KADS has a great range of runners, from those who enjoy an occasional 5Km (3.1 mile) Parkrun all the way through to fell runners and ultra-marathoners. We're all there for one another. No-one will be left behind, and we're renown for enthusiastically clapping every single fellow KAD home in our races, no matter where you place. We also have an active social calendar, and organise our own annual Goose Fair Gallop race and monthly Colliers Wood Canter 5Km and 3Km races.

We understand that joining a running club can be a daunting prospect. We meet up most Wednesday nights at Kimberley Leisure Centre at 7pm (see map below - we'll all be milling around in the corridor near reception). Just pop along one evening and have a chat: someone will point you at a committee member who can help. If you come in your running gear you're welcome to join us for a week or three on a trial basis, we're not pushy and our shorter distances are around 3 miles around the Kimberley, Nuthall, Giltbrook area. Alternatively, we're here on Facebook if you want to check out what we do and you can of course contact us to ask any questions before coming along.

Once you're happy you want to join, this is the process to follow:

Download the KADS Membership Form and print it off (available here as a PDF).
Complete the form and bring it to a Wed night session.
Hand the form to any member of the committee. Payment can be via cheque payable to "KADS" or via bank transfer.

Yearly subscription costs are as follows:

New members pay only £10 for their first year (includes free entry to summer and winter XC Derby Runner BDL races).
Individual members renewing subs: £20 a year (again includes free entry to the BDL leagues).
Family membership (same household): £30 a year.
Unwaged or junior membership (over 13 years): £2.
EA membership: £15 in addition to above subscription (gains you free access to the AAA summer league and North Mids XC winter league).

That's it, you're in! Subscriptions are then due each year from 1 April. Here are a few hints for completing the application form:

For "Will KADS be your first or second claim club?", choose FIRST unless you're a member of another official (affiliated) running club. If you are already a member of another running club, and are unsure what this option will mean for your racing, come and ask a committee member for advice.
"ICE" stands for In Case of Emergency.
For "Would you like to be affiliated to England Athletics" be aware that you don't HAVE to be EA-affiliated to be a part of KADS. You can race in the Derby Runner (BDL) summer and winter leagues, Parkrun, Colliers Wood Canter and many other races without being EA-affiliated. However, to take part in other leagues you usually need EA-affiliation, and also need it to get 'attached runner' discounts' when entering some public races. It also improves the standing of the club to have more EA-affiliated runners: for example, the number of free London Marathon places we get depends on how many EA athletes we have.
You'll need a club vest or T shirt to take part in league races like the Derby Runner (BDL) leagues. It's a great feeling to run in your club colours at any time though!

Thanks for reading and we look forward to seeing you soon!