Become a Run Leader

If you're interested in leading RunTogether Groups, we have training and support to help you through the process.

1. Training

To become a RunTogether Group Leader, and start a running group, you need to have completed one of following UK Athletics courses, delivered by England Athletics:

Leadership in Running Fitness (LiRF)
Coach in Running Fitness (CiRF)
Qualified Athletics Coach (UKA Level 2 and above)

Leadership in Running Fitness (LiRF)

If you're just starting out as a run leader, this is the course for you. This one-day practical course is delivered around 100 times every year up and down the country. You will learn essential health and safety for leading a group run, how to structure running training sessions appropriate to the level of your runners (including warm-ups, cool-downs and stretches), and how to plan suitable running routes.

There is no exam or assessment, completion of the course qualifies and equips you to deliver group runs. The LiRF course costs just £170 (£140 if you are an England Athletics affiliated athlete).

Please note the minimum age for this course is 18.

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2. Safeguarding Checks

With safety as one of the RunTogether guiding principles, every Group Leader is required to undertake a DBS check, which must be renewed every three years in order to maintain a current license. The process for applying for a Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) Check can be found on the England Athletics website, link below.

As it can take around four weeks for DBS applications to be processed, we recommend that you submit your application at the same time as registering for your course in order to avoid a delay in becoming a RunTogether Group Leader.

More about DBS checks

3. Licence and Registration

Once you have completed one of the above qualifications and received your DBS certificate, your licence to lead running groups will be sent to you by post. You can then either set up your own RunTogether Group (see Setting up a RunTogether Group on the Groups page) or an existing Group Leader can invite you to be a Run Leader for their Group.

4. Setting up a Group on RunTogether

Creating a new RunTogether group is really straight-forward. Read our simple five-step guide to starting a running group here.

5. Supporting your Continued Learning

To support your continued learning, the Run Leader Support area of the website will be regularly updated with running session ideas, tips and resources. Your local Run Leader Mentor will also organise regular face-to-face meetings for run leaders in your area to get together, share best practice and support one another.