Junior Middle Distance Running
Brighton & Hove AC are lucky to have brilliant junior middle distance coaches and have had numerous successes with their athletes.
Below is a summary of the groups so you can see which one suits you best.
Tip: If you’re new, it really helps if you can run/jog for 10 minutes without stopping.
Under 13 & Under 15 (Boys & Girls)
Coaches
Head Coach: Peter Witcomb
Assistant Coach: Glen Matten
Peter coaches U13 and U15 boys and girls. Some joined the club when they were 9 years old.
Olympic medallist Amber Anning started in this group 14 years ago! Others discovered they enjoyed cross country or middle distance at school events.
Peter structures his sessions so that athletes of a similar standard run together.
He wants everyone to enjoy their athletics regardless of ability and have the opportunity to make new friends.
Season focus
Winter: cross country (U13s run 3km and U15s run 4km) with league races across Sussex.
Summer: focused towards 800m and 1500m, with league and open races.
The club enters various junior leagues (Sussex League and Youth Development League) with venues in Sussex and the South East.
Matches take place on Friday evenings or at the weekend from late spring to late summer.
There are also Open meetings that athletes are encouraged to enter.
It is a requirement that you are expected to compete if selected — Peter can provide more information.
Training times
- Under 13 girls and boys and Under 15 boys: Tuesday & Thursday 5pm – Withdean
- Under 15 girls (Year 9 upwards only): Tuesday & Thursday 6pm – Withdean
- All age groups: Saturday 9am (usually at Stanmer Park)
Contact Peter
To make contact with Peter, please email him — he requests that you include your phone number, as he will call you to give more information.
Email: peter.witcomb@hotmail.co.uk
U15 Upwards (School Year 9)
Coaches
Head Coach: Adam Clayton (Level 3 endurance)
Coaching assistants: Duncan Curtis and Adrian Monti
Group focus
Endurance / middle distance / run-specific training for multi-sport athletes.
Distances: 800m to Marathon. The current average age in the group is Year 12/13 (U17/U20).
Training times
- Tuesday 6–7pm (summer at the track; winter at the Downs Link, Shoreham)
- Thursday 6:30pm
- Saturday 9–11am at Stanmer Park
Tuesday and Saturday sessions are more aerobic-focused (hill running, threshold running and reps with short recoveries).
Thursday sessions are more speed-based. A number of the group also meet informally for easy runs or Sunday morning long runs.
We are a supportive and inclusive squad, from those new to athletics through to national-level competitors in track, cross country and triathlon.
We focus on long-term progression, positive habits and a thriving group training environment. We value teamwork, kindness and enjoyment.
We welcome athletes of all clubs to drop in and train with us, particularly if there are fewer athletes at your club of a similar age or standard.
We also offer summer and winter “specials” (training sessions in school holidays) for endurance athletes in the club, regardless of age or group.
Contact Adam
To make contact with Adam, please complete this enquiry form:
Enquiry Form
Age 16+
Coaches
Coaches: John Clements and Jason Jeffrey
The John & Jason running group is a highly focused, happy group of runners (age 16+) of all abilities.
The group aims to improve and compete regularly for the club, and for those with the desire and commitment, potentially for Sussex and beyond.
Criteria & approach
The criteria to join the group is that you want to improve and compete for the club, and that you take ownership and demonstrate engagement with a can-do, positive attitude.
The coaches are volunteers and want to see you improve and enjoy your running to whatever level you desire.
John and Jason have over 40 years of experience coaching athletes from 400m to marathon (including steeplechase and cross country).
Training is progressive across the year to meet the needs of the athlete and their goals, including strength and conditioning to improve technique and reduce injury risk.
There’s also lots of fun, enjoyment and excitement at training — even if it’s tipping down with rain.
Training times
- Tuesday – Withdean track at 6pm
- Thursday – Preston Park at 6pm
- Saturday – winter: Stanmer Park at 9am / summer: Withdean track at 10:30am
In addition, athletes in the group also meet up for runs around parks, the South Downs or the seafront.
Contact John & Jason
To make contact with John and Jason, please complete this enquiry form:
Enquiry Form