GRC hosts a variety of social events throughout the year, many of which – but not all – involve a run! These are opportunities to have fun and be social with fellow members rather than being fiercely competitive.
All social events are added to our calendar on this website, and publicised via our social media accounts and mailouts. Runs should be booked via RunTogether on the button below.
Pub Runs
AKA Chip Runs. An activity that’s always popular with members! We meet at a pub in the local vicinity, go for a run, then come back and for a pint or two and some chips! In the darker months we go out with head-torches. A lovely way to enjoy some beautiful countryside and top pubs outside town. Favourite venues include the Green Man at Ropsley, the Dirty Duck at Woolsthorpe and the Stag at Barkston, but we’re always open to somewhere new!
Awards Night
The annual GRC Awards Night, held early in the year, recognises the achievements of our members in the previous calender year. The format of this evening do is to take a light hearted look at member’s activities over the year, then present race standard certificates. We then break for food before presenting the trophies. Every member who has run in a qualifying road race that year will earn a certificate based on their age grading. These range from Tin all the way up to elite Diamond standard. For more information about the Awards and how age-grading is calculated for certificates, please check our Awards Night page. It is always a feel-good event with members celebrating everyone’s achievements, and a great way to socialise with club mates.
Beer and Bling
A purely social event, Beer and Bling takes place on the Sunday before the May Day bank holiday at the Nobody Inn in Grantham. Members are invited to gather to socialise over a beer or two and show off their favourite medal of the year so far. It’s a great opportunity to get together and grab a communal photo at a relaxed event. Some members choose to make a bit of a night of it and head off into town for further adventures after pub closing time.
Canalathon
Started by member Chris Limmer, the Canalathon is a now annual June run along the scenic Grantham Canal from Nottingham to Grantham. While an intrepid few will run the whole distance (approx 34 miles), the event is an inclusive club event with others joining at various stages along the route; Cotgrave (26.8 miles), Cropwell Bishop (24.4 miles), Hickling (19 miles), Harby (14.2 miles), Redmile (9.2 miles), Woolsthorpe (4.2 miles). The pace is not fast – circa 11+ m/m.
Christmas Lights Run
The Christmas Lights Run is an opportunity for us all to get together and have a slow-paced run around town to take in the best of the Christmas lights. There are plenty of stops to gawp at the best examples (and donate to those raising funds for charity, so bring a few coins if you can) and plenty of run leaders on hand to make sure no one gets lost or left behind.
Christmas Jumper Social
This is a night out where members are encouraged to wear the ugliest Christmas jumper possible while enjoying a few drinks.
GRC Christmas Bash
The Christmas meal is a purely social opportunity to celebrate Christmas with your clubmates with a three course sit down meal, disco and more in a local venue. Previous meals have been in the Angel and Royal, Grantham Golf Club and Grantham Masonic Hall!
Alternative Christmas Eve Run
A shorter run – circa 7-10k – at a medium pace, usually around Grantham town, with runners in Christmas fancy dress. It starts early (circa 8 am) and usually ends at the Tollemache Inn in time for breakfast for those that want it. It normally attracts plenty of honks on the horn from passing drivers!
Christmas Eve Run
A run that originated with Grantham Athletics Club in 1985, and now organised by GRC. Runners congregate at a member’s house or other location for tea/coffee and mince pies and drop off clothes to change into for transportation to the destination pub for an afternoon meal and drinks. The run is mostly off-road and around 11 miles long, with a shorter run joining from approximately 5 miles. Runners generally dress up as Christmas characters and there are plenty of photo opportunities along the way. The destination pub must serve real ale and good food and have a good fire. The history of the event can be found in the PDF below.