Tooting Run Club
About Us
Tooting Run Club is a free community running club based at Tooting Bec Athletics Track in the Borough of Wandsworth, South-West London.
We’re a volunteer-led group and are open to everyone aged 18 and over. Equality, diversity & inclusion is at the heart of everything we do, and we welcome all regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion, ability etc.
We are supported by local athletics club, Herne Hill Harriers, who provide a team of coaches and deliver extensive support.
TRC’s Transition to Charity Status
Last summer (2024), I announced plans for Tooting Run Club (TRC) to become a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO). In simple terms, this means TRC will register as a UK charity with the Charity Commission.
Why Are We Doing This?
Transitioning to a CIO will strengthen TRC’s impact and ensure long-term sustainability. Key benefits include:
✅ Official recognition and enhanced credibility
✅ Greater access to grants, funding, and tax reliefs
✅ A stable, structured foundation for the future
Progress So Far (as of February 2025)
A lot has been happening behind the scenes to finalise the team and documentation—these things take time! I’m excited to share that we now have a fantastic leadership team in place to drive this forward.
📌 TRC’s First Management Committee:
• Tahir Shams (Chair)
• Glen Keegan (Deputy)
• Talat Shams
• Rosh Ramlugan
• Jenny Sivapalan
• Amar Sudra
• Fran Hall
Having Glen as Deputy Chair is especially important in maintaining our strong connection with HHH.
What’s Next?
The paperwork is now finalised and just needs signatures before we submit documents to the Charity Commission. The review and approval process may take some time, but the long-term benefits will be well worth it.
I’m incredibly excited for what’s ahead and grateful for all the support 🙏🏽
Tahir (TRC Programme Director)
England Athletics 'Club of the Year 2024' London region
Tooting Run Club was awarded Club of the Year 2024 for the London region on 2nd October. This award is for the entire TRC family - our volunteers, runners and supporters, we couldn't have done it without you.
As much as we've grown, our missions hasn't changed. We're still all about widening access to running, getting people from every corner of our community invoved and supporting those who need it most.
England Athletics 'Community Project of the Year' National Award 2022
After picking up for the Community Project of the Year Award for the London Region in November 2022, Tooting Run Club were awarded the National title in that same category! Thanks to everyone on the England Athletics Awards Panel that voted for us! The National Award was presented in Birmingham on 24 February 2023.
Testimonials
Omar
I only started running in July 2022 when I first became aware of TRC. For many years, I just did military-style boot camps but felt I needed a new challenge. Running has provided me with that challenge, and thanks to TRC, I have found this running journey to be so rewarding. I initially trained in the Red group, but was often first to finish each rep. Thanks to strong encouragement from Tahir, I then moved up and am now coached by Keith in the Blue group. I’m grateful for all the help that I’ve received from TRC to develop my running, and am so pleased to regularly achieve PBs!
TRC has become a such a big part of my life and it has benefited me in so many ways. Besides getting fitter and faster, it’s had a positive impact on my overall well-being and I’ve made so many fantastic friends here. The TRC community feels like an extended family to me ❤️
I feel so proud that Tahir asked me to help out at the club and honoured to be one of the run leaders on the Wednesday social run and monthly long run. It’s great to be part of the team, and I am looking forward to TRC’s evolution.
Matt
"I’ve been part of TRC since the first ever session on Tooting Common back in March, and have attended over 30 Monday night sessions! I just can’t get enough and I look forward to training each week; it’s the perfect way to cure the Monday blues! The variation of the sessions is brilliant - each one testing in their own unique way. Before TRC, I used to run the same route locally, at the same pace each time, so to have the different sessions all planned out for you is so helpful. It’s refreshing to see the team proactively ask for feedback and constantly make improvements 🙌🏼.
Before TRC, I was a “casual jogger” but I think now I can call myself an actual “runner”! Thank you to this wonderful club for everything they do, week in week out, it never ceases to amaze me, you all fully deserved the award you recently won 👏🏼 this club is unstoppable."
Jasmine
I've been training with TRC since the beginning of April 2022, and started off in the green group, then moving up to the red group.
Initially, I was quite apprehensive about joining TRC, as my perception of running clubs was that they are for athletes - and I am far from that! However, I was pleasantly surprised. TRC feels more like a welcoming community for anyone who simply enjoys running.
Since joining TRC, I've consistently stuck with running and have actually enjoyed every second of it (even if I do complain during interval training)! I feel like that is in part due to the community and the lovely people I have met along the way. Not only have I noticed improvements in my running, I feel fitter and healthier. I've even ran a couple of 10k races, and have even signed up for a half marathon - something I never thought I'd do!!
I look forward to seeing where my running journey takes me next 😊
Thank you to everyone involved in TRC - the leadership team, coaches, volunteers and fellow runners, who help make TRC the amazing community it is.
I first came across the club in April 2022 and I approached Coach Andy to find out more. Andy encouraged me to come along to a session, insisting there was a place for everyone at TRC. I wasn’t convinced but tried it anyway. He was right!
I remember feeling very anxious at my first session but everyone was friendly and I quickly felt at home. I have enjoyed interval training with the Green group and the wonderful Annes, the Wednesday social run and Talat’s yoga. I particularly enjoy volunteering with the new Couch to 5k programme.
Thanks to TRC, I’ve made great progress with my running and am proud to have achieved a 10k PB at the Asics run in July last year, and a 5k PB at Tooting ParkRun in October.
Sarah
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