NDRC Volunteer-Led Runs/Fell Runs – Safety Statement
North Derbyshire Running Club is committed to providing safe, enjoyable and inclusive opportunities for members to run together.
These fell runs are social, non-coached club runs led by an NDRC volunteer. The volunteer leading the runs/fell runs is not an England Athletics qualified coach or leader and therefore does not provide formal coaching, technical instruction or individual training advice.
The volunteer is responsible for organising and coordinating the runs/fell runs within the arrangements agreed by NDRC and should take reasonable steps to identify and manage foreseeable risks.
⚠️ Health Hazards & Personal Wellbeing
All runners should consider their own health, fitness and ability before attending a fell run. Illness, injury, medication, fatigue or other circumstances may affect an individual’s ability to participate safely.
Runners should ensure that the advertised distance, pace and terrain are appropriate for their current ability and experience.
Anyone who becomes unwell, injured or unable to continue should inform the volunteer leading the runs/fell runs or another member of the group as soon as reasonably practicable.
No runner should feel pressured to continue or exceed their safe ability.
🎒 Correct Equipment & Personal Kit
Runners should arrive with equipment appropriate for the route and conditions. Depending on the session, this may include:
* Suitable trail/fell footwear
* Weather-appropriate clothing and layers
* Waterproof jacket and trousers where conditions require them
* Hat and gloves where appropriate
* High-visibility or reflective clothing during low-light conditions
* Head torch for night or winter sessions
* Sufficient water and nutrition for the planned distance and conditions
* Mobile phone and access to the route/navigation information
The volunteer leading the run should communicate any specific equipment requirements before the session.
Where the volunteer or NDRC considers that a runner does not have equipment necessary for the prevailing conditions, they may advise the runner not to participate.
🌧️ Weather & Changing Conditions
Weather conditions should be considered before the runs/fell runs and monitored where reasonably practicable.
The volunteer leading the runs/fell runs has the authority to alter, shorten, postpone or cancel the session if weather or ground conditions create an unacceptable level of risk.
Particular consideration should be given to:
* Heavy rain and flooding
* Strong winds
* Lightning or severe weather
* Extreme heat or cold
* Ice or snow
* Slippery or unstable ground
* Exposed ridges or high ground
* Poor or deteriorating visibility
* Fading daylight
If conditions deteriorate during the runs/fell runs, the group should be prepared to alter the route, return to a safe location or seek appropriate shelter.
🏃 Capability to Run with the Group
The advertised pace, distance and terrain should be made clear before the runs/fell runs.
Runners should only attend where they are confident that the session is suitable for their current fitness, experience and ability.
The volunteer leading the runs/fell runs should make reasonable efforts to ensure that the advertised session is appropriate for the intended group and should consider the experience and ability of participants where practical.
The runs/fell runs is not a coached session, and the volunteer is not responsible for providing individual training plans, coaching advice or assessing a runner’s fitness.
No runner should be pressured to run beyond their safe ability.
🗺️ Route Knowledge & Safe Return
The volunteer should plan the route in advance and communicate the intended route, distance, terrain, expected pace, regrouping arrangements and any significant foreseeable hazards to participants.
Where reasonably practicable, runners should have access to the route through a map, route file or suitable navigation app.
The volunteer should be familiar with the planned route or have appropriate navigation available.
Where possible, the group should remain together and use agreed regrouping points.
If a runner needs to leave the group or return early, they should inform the volunteer or another member of the group and ensure that they can do so safely.
A runner should not be deliberately left isolated because they are unable to maintain the advertised pace.
👥 Group Awareness & Duty of Care
All participants have a responsibility to contribute to the safety of the group by remaining aware of other runners and highlighting hazards or concerns.
The volunteer should take reasonable steps to maintain group awareness, particularly on remote, unfamiliar, technical or low-light sections.
Regrouping should be used where appropriate, but the group should avoid stopping in dangerous locations such as blind bends, narrow paths, exposed sections or busy roads.
New runners and visitors should be given appropriate information about the route, pace, terrain, equipment and expectations before setting off.
🛡️ Role of the Volunteer
The volunteer leading the runs/fell runs is acting on behalf of NDRC to coordinate a social club run, not as an England Athletics qualified coach or leader.
The volunteer should:
* Stay within their own experience and competence
* Follow the Club’s agreed procedures and risk assessment
* Communicate relevant risks and expectations to participants
* Monitor weather and conditions
* Make sensible decisions regarding route changes, regrouping or cancellation
* Raise any significant safety concerns with the NDRC committee
* Take reasonable action in the event of an incident or emergency
The volunteer should not undertake formal coaching, technical instruction or activities that would require a level of qualification or expertise they do not possess.
NDRC will provide appropriate guidance and oversight for volunteer-led runs/fell runs and will review the arrangements and risk assessment where routes, conditions or circumstances change.
Ultimately, the aim is for everyone to enjoy the run, look after one another and return safely
