LiRF Training for Hucknall Harriers

What is LiRF?

LiRF (Leadership in Running Fitness) is an England Athletics qualification designed to support people who lead safe, inclusive, social running activities. It focuses on practical, real-world skills such as:

• Planning and leading group runs

• Managing mixed-ability groups

• Keeping runners safe in everyday environments (roads, parks, trails)

• Creating welcoming, supportive running sessions
  
  

LiRF is not about coaching speed or performance. It is about enabling people to lead relaxed, enjoyable runs where everyone feels comfortable taking part.

Why LiRF is valuable for Hucknall Harriers

Hucknall Harriers operates with a deliberately informal, community-led ethos. While LiRF is not a requirement of ARC affiliation, having LiRF-trained run leaders brings clear benefits to the group:

• Shared responsibility – leadership does not rest on one or two individuals

• Consistency – a common understanding of safety, inclusion and good practice

• Confidence – members feel more comfortable stepping up to host runs

• Resilience – the group can continue smoothly if key people are unavailable

• Reassurance – runners know that good safety awareness underpins our informal style
  
  

LiRF helps protect what Hucknall Harriers already is, rather than changing it into something more formal.

Our Approach to Run Leadership

Hucknall Harriers does not require every run to have a formally qualified leader, and we do not want to create barriers to members hosting runs.

LiRF training is offered to:

• Strengthen the group

• Support members who already contribute

• Encourage shared ownership of runs, safety and wellbeing
  
  

It is not intended as a personal qualification for occasional use or external benefit.

Eligibility for LiRF Training Support

To ensure that LiRF training benefits the club as a whole, Hucknall Harriers will support LiRF training for members who meet all of the following criteria.

Membership & Participation

• A minimum of 18 months active membership of Hucknall Harriers

• Active participation defined as:

  • Running with the group on at least 3 organised runs per month

  • Sustained over the previous 18 months
    
    

Leadership Contribution

• Evidence of having regularly led or hosted group runs over a minimum period of 6 months

• “Regularly” is intended to mean:

  • Leading or hosting runs on a consistent basis, not a single or isolated run

  • Demonstrating reliability, preparation and follow-through

• Demonstrated alignment with the Hucknall Harriers ethos:

  • Inclusive

  • Supportive

  • Safety-aware

  • Community-focused
    
    

Commitment to the Group

• A clear intention to continue leading and supporting runs for the benefit of Hucknall Harriers

• Willingness to share learning informally with other members and help build group resilience

Funding, Capacity and Prioritisation

LiRF training places and funding are limited and will be allocated to ensure the greatest benefit to Hucknall Harriers as a whole.

Where club funding or external funding is used to support LiRF training:

• The training is provided on the understanding that the member will continue to actively contribute to the group

• LiRF qualification is viewed as an investment in Hucknall Harriers, not an individual entitlement
  
  

Where demand exceeds available places, priority will normally be given based on:

1. Length of active membership

2. Consistency of recent participation

3. Length and regularity of run-leading contribution

4. Current and anticipated needs of the group
   
   

The club leadership group reserves the right to review eligibility and prioritisation on a case-by-case basis.

Interested in LiRF Training?

If you feel you meet the criteria above and would like to discuss LiRF training, please get in touch with the club leadership group.

We are keen to support members who are already helping make Hucknall Harriers a welcoming, supportive place to run — and who want to help sustain that for the future.