When doing a runner is socially acceptable | Rotorua News | Local News in Rotorua

Rotorua is "paradise" for runners, says Roy Woodcock, and he should know - he's been a member of Lake City Athletic Club for 26 years.

Mr Woodcock, the president of the club, says runners in Rotorua are spoilt for choice with hundreds of kilometres of running tracks in the Whakarewarewa Forest and surrounding terrain.

The club was formed in 1991 when Ngongotaha Athletic Club and Rotorua Athletic Club joined forces to become the Lake City Athletic Club.

Running entices athletes of all ages. The club's youngest member is 6, while its oldest is about 70.

"We have a wide range of activities for all abilities," Mr Woodcock said.

"People can start with some of the slower groups or do limited amounts until they get fit enough. We try to guide them with training programmes. It is paradise for runners, with access to the forest and the terrain around the area."

The club is not about hard slogs through driving rain and over gruelling hills (although if that's what you're after, it can most likely be arranged), it's about camaraderie and socialising. Mr Woodcock advises new runners to get some advice from runners who have been around the track a few times.

"Get some guidance from people. And get some reasonable quality shoes so you look after your body.

"Take it easy at first - small steps."

And, he suggests, try to run with other club members so training becomes a social occasion and not just a hard slog. "We have a range of people, some are very competitive and very fast, but most people are there just for the fitness, the camaraderie and to keep healthy.

"We have runs each week on a Sunday morning from 7am, and on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 5.15pm."

Those training times are for runners, joggers and walkers.

"Most of our running is in the forest if we can, because it is a pretty amazing place," Mr Woodcock said.

The club has about 270 fulltime members, plus about 200 children sign up for summer athletics every season.

It also offers track and field training for adults. All abilities are catered for - the fast the slow and the in-between.

During summer the club arranges a series of road running and walking events - the Trout Fly Summer Series - often followed by a barbecue.

It has a full winter road and cross-country season, which starts mid-April and ends in November. The programme includes relays, team events, road and forest races and marathon coaching clinics, with the highlight being the annual Rotorua Marathon.

Mr Woodcock says anyone thinking about joining the Lake City Athletic Club is welcome to join a regular weekly training session for a "test run".

CLUB INFO

What? Lake City Athletic Club.

Where? Club rooms at Neil Hunt park, off Tarawera Rd.

Club president? Roy Woodcock.

Why? For fitness, health and meeting new people.

When? Weekly running and walking groups leave the Neil Hunt Park clubrooms every Tuesday and Thursday from 5.15pm and on Sundays running and walking groups leave the Neil Hunt Park Clubrooms from 7pm. Events most weekends.

Keen to join? Contact Roy by emailing becasse@vodafone.net.nz or on (021) 921 380 or take a look at the club's website www.lakecity.co.nzby Tamlyn Stewart tamlyn.stewart@dailypost.co.nz