Junior Members Policy

Last reviewed: March 2026

1. Introduction

Ranelagh Harriers is a sociable, friendly running club and our primary focus is in encouraging and helping members achieve their running goals.  Much of the running is 5km and above on the roads and trails in and around Richmond Park.

We do not have a formal juniors’ section but all first claim Ranelagh members may have all dependent children under 18 years included as members at no additional cost to their membership subscription. They are referred to as junior members in this policy.

Ranelagh Harriers acknowledge the duty of care to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people where applicable.  We recognise that the welfare and interests of children and young people is paramount. We aim to ensure that everyone has a positive and enjoyable experience at Ranelagh Harriers in a safe environment. And we will promote and prioritise the safety and wellbeing of children and young people.

Our advisors at England Athletics have reviewed and supported this approach and policy. 

2. England Athletics Guidelines

England Athletics is our Governing Body.  It has issued guidelines on maximum recommended volume of training and maximum race distances for young athletes (ea-youth-endurance-2022-v5.pdf). 

For example, maximum recommended cross country races distances based on Age Groups are currently:

  • Under 13: 3,500m

  • Under 15: 5,000m

  • Under 17: 6,500m

  • Under 20: 10,000m

The maximum running volume of training recommendations based on age, inclusive of all activities undertaken by the young athlete throughout the week cumulatively, are:

  • 12 years: Weekly total distance 10-25 km (6-15 miles) | Long run (once a week) 25-30 mins

  • 13 years: Weekly total distance 10-30 km (6-20 miles) | Long run (once a week) 35 mins

  • 14 years: Weekly total distance 15-40 km (10-25 miles) | Long run (once a week) 40 mins

  • 15 years: Weekly total distance 15-50 km (10-30 miles) | Long run (once a week) 45 mins

  • 16 years: Weekly total distance 20-60 km (12-37 miles) | Long run (once a week) 50 mins

  • 17 years: Weekly total distance 20-70 km (12-43 miles) | Long run (once a week) 55 mins

  • 18 years: Weekly total distance 25-80 km (15-50 miles) | Long run (once a week) 60 mins

While the guidelines are not rules, and should be adapted as necessary to ensure they are appropriate for each individual athlete, we consider that we must take account of the guidelines when considering the safety and welfare of junior members and are aware that juniors participate in a number of sports at school, sometimes competitively.

3. Ranelagh Tuesday Night Training

Tuesday night training is not for Junior runners (U18). 

Our Tuesday night training sessions are designed for adult runners. The sessions often involve time spent running and/or distances run that are greater than England Athletics’ guidelines for young athletes. 

We also need to consider the capacity of our volunteer coaches and leaders. Tuesday night training is the main training session offered by the club and session leaders have to prioritise and focus on supporting the adult members – for whom the sessions are designed and run - without the additional responsibility of ensuring sessions also meet the specific needs of junior members. 

Junior members, and/or their parents or guardians should not therefore ask coaches or group leaders to make exceptions even if the junior member is accompanied by a parent.

4. Ranelagh Thursday Track Training

Junior members are welcome, and encouraged, to join our track training sessions on Thursday nights where the coaches and leaders can ensure the training undertaken is appropriate for the age, maturity and experience of junior athletes in a controlled environment.

Members  under 16 years of age should be accompanied by their parent or guardian (whether they also run or just spectate). Junior runners can be viewed at all times to ensure their welfare, and the distances run can be assessed much more accurately. 

Sessions are planned and outlined with consideration to our junior members and can be viewed in advance on the website >

5. Other Events

Some club events are held on Tuesday’s in place of normal training sessions, such as the Christmas Cracker Relay, Henty Relay and the Ratchford Relay. When the event is suitable for junior members they are welcome to take part.

The Ranelagh Race Director of each event will make it clear whether or not an event is suitable for junior members when announcing the event.

6. Social Media and Junior Members

Ranelagh Harriers have a number of different social media accounts. 

We will decline requests from members who are under 18 to join the club’s social media accounts or WhatsApp groups. We assume that the parent/guardian are members of the relevant WhatsApp groups to enable the junior to participate in training and events as per this policy.

7. Safeguarding

Ranelagh Harriers takes its safeguarding responsibilities seriously. All our coaches and leaders regularly participate in England Athletics safeguarding training and are DBS checked prior to their licences being issued/ renewed. 

If anyone has a concern regarding the health, wellbeing or safety of a junior member, please contact our welfare officers Claire Warner and Phil Roberts in confidence on welfare@ranelagh-harriers.co.uk.

They undertake regular training and have the full support of the Ranelagh Executive Committee and England Athletics to ensure that all contact is managed professionally.