When does the club train?
The club training nights are Tuesday and Thursday at 7 PM sharp from the clubhouse in Bushy Park, Terenure.
Can I try it out before joining?
Workouts are held every Tuesday and Thursday throughout the year. A member of the committee is always at the clubhouse door each night to meet new members. They will explain how the club works and introduce you to the head coach Emily Dowling. You can try training with the club for a couple of weeks to see if you enjoy it, before joining.
Is it suitable for beginners?
Sportsworld has members of all ages and abilities. People compete at the national level and people who just want to run to keep fit and for enjoyment. Although there are athletes competing in elite competitions there is no elitism. Everyone starts training together and usually do the same basic training session which is tapered for the training group into which a person falls.
Short answer: Yes! Talk to head coaches on your first night about your ability and level.”
Is there a minimum fitness level required to join?
New members should be comfortably able to jog 5km before attending training sessions. A minimum level of fitness is required to ensure you get the most out of and enjoy your training sessions with Sportsworld Running Club. Note: during the winter months we train outside Bushy Park and the warm-up jog to our starting point can be up to 2 miles.
There are a number of couch-to-5k programmes available online, click on the link for this one from Athletics Ireland: Couch-to-5k Plan. There is also a free 5k Park Run in Bushy Park every Saturday morning at 9.30 AM to test your ability. For more details click on the link here: Bushy Park Run.
It is important that you always consult your doctor before starting any exercise program.
Where do you train?
Training begins at 7 pm from the clubhouse all year round. Training takes place in Bushy Park during the summer and on the roads in different areas around Rathfarnham during the winter. Runners warm up as a group by jogging to the start point together from the clubhouse for that evening’s training session. See the map below for the clubhouse location.
How do I get to the club?
Public Transport – You can travel from the City Centre by bus on any of the following routes: 15, 15B, 49, 49A, 65, 65B and you should ask for a fare to Bushy Park which is right beside Terenure College
Driving – From the North or West side of the city you should travel on the M50 motorway till the intersection with the N81 Tallaght Bypass, turn left onto the N81. Travel for 1 mile, through Templeogue Village and along Templeogue Road until the junction with Fortfield Road. You will now see Bushy Park on your right hand side and Terenure College on your Left.
From the City Centre travel south/west, follow direction signs to the suburb of Terenure and the N81. At the main crossroads / trafficlights beside the Bank Of Ireland in Terenure follow the sign for the N81 and travel for about half a mile along the Templeogue Road. Bushy Park will be on your left and Terenure College will be on your right.
What about Juveniles?
Sportsworld does not have a juvenile section. There are a number of other running clubs in the South Dublin area that do train juniors such as Templeogue AC, Brothers Pearse, DSD and Tallaght AC. The current contact details for these clubs can be found on the Athletics Ireland Club Listings: Click here”
How much is it to join Sportsworld?
Club membership is from January 1st till December 31st. As people join the club all year round, there are three rates for the annual club fee for new members, depending on the time of year they join (Note: Sportsworld annual membership expires on December 31st no matter what time of year you join – membership renewal fees are due in January each year).
New members fees:
-Joining from January 1st till June 30th: €125 (includes a club race singlet)
-Joining from July 1st till September 30th: €85 (includes a club race singlet)
-Joining from October 1st till December 31st: €55 (includes a club race singlet)
Renewal is €100 per annum due in January for all members.
For example:
If you join in February you pay €125 and the following January €100 membership renewal.
If you join in November you pay €55 and €100 membership renewal again in January.
Full-Time Student membership is €60. Students must produce a valid student card and documentation showing the course is full time.
Part-time students are ineligible for this student rate.