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WE RUN THE NATION!
ROAD RUNNERS CLUB OF AMERICA
WE RUN THE NATION

WE RUN THE NATION!
WE RUN THE NATION
OBJECTIVES
• Learn more about the RRCA
• Learn about the services designed to benefit your
efforts
• Important Benefits
• Guidelines for Leading a Group Run
• RRCA Coaching Certification Program
• Additional Resources
IMPLEMENTING RRCA PROGRAMS INTO YOUR CLUB & EVENTS 2

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WE RUN THE NATION
About RRCA
• Founded in 1958, The Road Runners Club of America is the oldest
and largest national association of running clubs, events, and
runners dedicated to promoting running as a competitive sport and
as healthy exercise.
• The mission of the RRCA is to promote the sport of running through
the development and growth of running clubs and running events
throughout the country. The RRCA supports the common interests
of runners of all abilities during all stages of life by providing
education and leadership opportunities along with programs and
services that benefit all runners.

WE RUN THE NATION!
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About RRCA
• Based on the general term “grassroots,” the RRCA is a grassroots
organization
• Organization of running clubs/events is the responsibility of local
people
• The National Office does not organize clubs/events locally
• The RRCA provides services, benefits, and programs to support the
locally organized clubs/events.
• We do not dictate management operations to our members, but we
do have policies that members must follow to remain in the
membership. We also provide guidelines and guidance on best
practices.

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About RRCA
• To be a member of the RRCA, your organization must:
– Support the mission, vision and values of the RRCA
– Pay RRCA dues annually
– Allow participation in clubs and events without regard to race,
creed, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, physical
condition, or age (minors may be excluded from
membership/participation at the discretion of club/event
leadership).
– Comply with RRCA bylaws and follow RRCA guidelines,
– Operate in accordance with local, state and federal laws
pertaining to such organizations.

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About RRCA
• Organizational members – Clubs/Events – 2,189
• RRCA insures over 8,500 events annually
• RRCA insures over 181,000 group training runs annually
• RRCA members working with over 121,000 volunteers
annually
• RRCA member organizations are comprised over over
230,000 runners nationwide

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Membership Benefits
• Insurance coverage for our membership is the major benefit that the
RRCA offers.
– This is a group policy.
– What does that mean?
– Be a good steward to protect the program for all members.
• RRCA mails one copy of Inside Track to each club/event contact
that outlines best practices and keeps you informed about RRCA
programs, services, and benefits.
• Be sure your mailing address is up to date with the RRCA. You can
update your club information at http://www.rrca.org/manage-profile/
• Discounts with national corporate supporters
• More benefits outlined on our website.
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RRCA WEBSITE: Your Best Source of Information
• Home – Links to News, Resources for Clubs, Events, Coaches, and more
• About RRCA - Information about RRCA, business items such as minutes, bylaws, etc.
• Membership - Joining, renewing and important information
• Calendar – Post events/group runs for FREE on the RRCA calendar
• Coaches – National database of RRCA Certified Coaches
• Services – Learn more about the insurance program and nonprofit status
• Programs - #1 resource for RRCA program information
• Education & Advocacy – Find safety tips and information that you can reproduce in
club/event newsletters (must source RRCA as our organization was the original creator for
most all running safety tips in the general domain these days)
• Publications – Find back issues of Inside Track and Club Running, embed them in your
club site,
• Resources For sections – Find detailed information on safe event management,
managing a club, and more. This area basically replaced the old printed RRCA Handbook.

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Education & Advocacy
•The RRCA has developed safety training programs, materials, and tip
sheets on various topics related to safety that clubs can reproduce in
newsletters and on website.
– RRCA General Running Safety Tips
– RRCA Runners Etiquette Brochures©***
– Hot Weather Running Safety Tips
– Cold Weather Running Safety Tips
– Rules of the Road, Trail and Track
– Multi-use trail tips
– Trail running tips
– Leading a Group Run Guidelines©
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Leading a Group Run Guidelines©
•The run leader should contact their club’s RRCA point person or the
RRCA to ensure that their RRCA membership is up to date and the
insurance premium has been paid for the year.
•The run leader or a designated individual participating in the group run
should have current CPR and First Aid certifications. This person
should also keep a club owned general first aid kit in their car.
•The run leader should map out the route(s) using a GPS or
mapping tool. Clearly outline the distance(s) for the run.
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•If your group run is very large and/or it is run on a multi-use trail or
road where a permit may be required, check with your local authorities
before promoting the run.
•The run leader should also identify water stops on the route and
recruit volunteers to deliver water or man water stops if none is readily
available on the route if the run is longer than 60 min.
•The run leader should recruit a back of the pack runner or sweeper
who carries a cell phone (be sure it is fully charged up).
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WE RUN THE NATION!
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•The run leader should identify new members and/or guests and
ensure they have signed a waiver before the run begins. We
recommend having a waiver printed at the top of a page and have all
runners sign the page. Now that you are insured by the RRCA - DO
NOT let anyone run with the group if they refuse to sign a waiver
or follow the rules of the group run.
•Consider a sign-in sheet so you know who is running with the group,
how many people you have in the group.
•The run leader should recruit a back of the pack runner or sweeper
who carries a cell phone (be sure it is fully charged up).
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WE RUN THE NATION!
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•The run leader should provide the “rules of the run.” Remember you
are leading the run and assuming responsibility for the group’s well
being. These rules should include, but are not limited to:
– Stick to the designated route
– No headphones allowed
– No dogs
– Do not run more than two abreast especially on busy roads, sidewalks, or multi-
use trails. The goal is to share the roads/trails, not hog them.
– Be mindful of your language and conversation content. Adult conversation does
happen on group runs, but it should not go so far as to create an uncomfortable
atmosphere for the group.
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WE RUN THE NATION!
WE RUN THE NATION
•The group should follow the “ranger rules”, which means leave no one
behind for any reason (bathroom breaks, “need to walk”, twisted ankle,
etc).
•Everyone in the group should obey all traffic signs. The group leader
and pace leaders should NEVER run the group against a light or
through a stop sign.
•Work with your runners to stress the importance of paying attention to
their surroundings. Use sidewalks and trails for group runs as much as
possible, if you need to lead your group run on a road, face traffic and
run no more than two abreast.
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WE RUN THE NATION!
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•The run leader or a designated volunteer should be the last one to
leave post-run. Most health related problems such as heat stroke or
heart attacks tend to occur in the down time immediately following a
long group run.
•If an incident does occur, get medical help immediately. Then
document the incident and contact the RRCA about reporting it for
insurance purposes as needed.
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RRCA Coaching Program
The goal is to provide trained individuals to work as coaching professionals for the sport of
distance running at all levels, from beginner to advanced runners.
By working with a coach, individuals will train intelligently, will be able to extend their running
careers, and minimize the risks of overuse injuries.
The RRCA achieves this goal by:
• Providing a specific body of knowledge on sports science, training methods, coaching
fundamentals, and professional conduct and ethics.
• Providing a systematic teaching process for the body of knowledge.
• Certifying individuals who demonstrate they have learned the knowledge and can apply it
to coaching.
• Providing and encouraging continuing education for RRCA certified coaches.
• Maintaining a registry of current RRCA certified coaches.

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RRCA Coaching Program
• Coaching History
• Types of Runners and Their Training Needs
• Putting it Together with Physiology
• Types of Running: Building a Periodized Program
• How to Coach: Running Form
• Coaching Nutrition
• The Business of Coaching*
• Coaching: Sports Psychology (60 minutes/2:40)
• Coaching: Injuries, Heat and Altitude
• Building Programs
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Business of Coaching – Running Leadership
Problem, Customer, Solution
– What problem do you solve for whom, and in what way that is different
than others?
Marketing
– What do you do, who are you, and how do you want people to know
that?
Operations
– The logistics of how you set up your coaching program
Finances
– How to determine fees, costs, payment method, and rules for running
your business
Legal
– You are responsible for mitigating negligence
•Ethical
– Do no harm
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Communication: Coaching Style
•Cooperative
–Teacher
–Draws on skills of athletes
–Motivating, rewarding, unifying
–Balance between providing direction & letting
athletes find their direction
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•Inspire
– Listen, respect, accept
•Display good character
– Honest, kind, dependable, patient, fair, humble
•Encourage:
– Positive body language, offer praise, provide
reward, personal responsibility
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•Teach and Learn
– Rules (safety guidelines) and skills (don’t over
train)
– Using physiology, sport science, and
psychology (read titles from Human Kinetics)
– Share personal experiences and lessons
learned
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Create a welcoming environment for all
The following outlines basic points to include in a Member Code of Conduct policy:
•Always show respect your fellow club members at all times;
•Always show respect and appreciation for the volunteers who give their time to help the club
and/or event(s);
•Never yell, taunt, or threaten physical violence upon another member of the club, a volunteer
or event spectator;
•Never use abusive or vulgar language, or make racial, ethnic or gender-related slurs or
derogatory comments at club events;
•Never make unwanted sexual or physical contact with other members;
•Report violations of the Member Code of Conduct policy to the group leader in writing.
Your club might have other points to consider. However, keep in mind the goal of the Code is
not to create a draconian behavior policy, but a baseline of behavior expectations so your
club leaders can address behavior(s) that “cross the line.”
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Use the Resources For Section on our website. Click on the images to
access the information.

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WE RUN THE NATION
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Getting Started
• Goal setting
• Making time
• What to wear
• Staying safe
• Taking the first steps
• The Run/Walk method
• Train – Don’t Strain
• 10 week sample program
• Injury prevention and information – injury vs muscle soreness
• Energy Balance
• Tracking progress
• Event participation
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WE RUN THE NATION!
WE RUN THE NATION

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