From 8 to over 100 members - how Boro Runners have put social connection at the heart of their club

Running not only has the power to positively impact our physicality, but it also has huge benefits to our mental health and wellbeing - joining a club and running with others only amplifies that. We recently caught up with 2024 Regional Volunteer Award winner, head coach, and founder of Boro Runners, Ben Palmer, to learn more about how he puts fun and social connection at the heart of the club.

Finding a passion for the sport

A very impressive runner himself, Ben stumbled into the sport at primary school and hasn't looked back:

"I first started running at primary school, I had bundles of energy to run off on the pitch and outside so I started with a cross country competition. From year seven, I moved to an athletics club, Middlesbrough Mandale. I made a bunch of friends around 20-30 of us of all different ages. I started to race up and down the country getting PBs, I have loved the process ever since.

"I started coaching about five years ago in my second year of university. I decided that I liked the coaching side and pushing other people to their potential. Then three years ago I started writing training plans to push runners the extra mile. My favourite thing about coaching is seeing people improve but also to watch people build friendships. At Boro Runners we are people of all different ages and abilities so to give people a platform and environment to enjoy their running at whatever level has created a really inclusive environment."

From coaching plans to founding a club

Starting a new club can be daunting, but alongside friends Ben established Boro Runners with the focus on community and enjoyment. From the very start of the session, everyone was very welcoming with members gathering in a big circle to welcome each other and introduce themselves to any new runners.

"I decided to set up Boro Runners to give people a different, unique opportunity. We like to offer something different, have different training groups to allow people more social time. To make people feel welcome and as part of the family in a community-centred environment which I think has been really successful. We started out with eight runners who migrated from another club, and now we have well over 100 registered members."

It is no secret that running has seen a real boom throughout recent years, something which Boro Runners and the Middlesbrough community as a whole are jumping on:

"There’s a lot of clubs in the north east who have invested time in their athletes, especially in Middlesbrough it’s massive. Over the last 3-4 years running has become really popular and the Middlesbrough community has taken to it. There are different running clubs in the region who have also taken up the role of getting people into athletics and running no matter what ability or age. It is nice that the increase in interest has also brought extra race opportunities for us in the north east."

Nurturing a connected community

Coaching sessions for tens of runners all of different abilities can be challenging, but something which Ben and the Boro Runners leaders manage with ease. When we went to visit their interval track session, Ben had a total of 40 athletes and six different stop watches on his phone, enough to make a mathematician scratch their head! But with a run leader in each group, there was always someone to guide the way and pace the group as the fellow runners cheered them through the line.

"We always push that for every single race, all runners make sure that to stay to the end. Just last week we had a race in Redcar and there were people who had already finished running with the people at the back and then two lines either side of the finish line clapping people in. People who have joined that are our slower runners have said that they feel really included in the club which is amazing. The more people who see us celebrating all runners, the more people will want to be a part of it."

Supporting openness around mental health

Running is a great way to get an endorphin boost, and pounding the pavement side by side makes it the perfect activity to share your thoughts in a safe and welcoming way. The social, welcoming atmosphere at Boro Runners has really made it a safe space for runners to speak about their mental health.

"We first of all set up the club through England Athletics we made sure we had Welfare Officers who are happy to share their own initiatives and ideas. We also have volunteer Mental Health Champions who regularly check in with the runners. We have different WhatsApp groups where all members can join and we always ensure that it is a safe environment for them to chat and celebrate each other. We do social events outside of the club sessions so if anyone wants to come down they can still be involved and share if they are struggling.

"We appreciate that not everyone wants to run all the time. For Mental Health Awareness Week we are hosting a mental health walk on Monday – those who would like to run can do so, but for those who want to walk, our leaders will be going for a stroll through the woods. It’ll be 30 minutes nice and easy and then we are meeting at the café at the end to check in with each other. It’s about creating that inclusive environment. Throughout the week we will also be sharing various infographics and helpful information to allow people to understand how they can access help."

Recognised at the Regional Volunteer Awards

The 2025 Regional Volunteer Awards are now open for nominations, and winning the 2024 Community Project of the Year was a really special moment for Ben and all at Boro Runners.

"It was everything for me to win the Regional Volunteer Awards last year. We have worked so hard as a team to get to where we are now and we never take any member for granted. From having eight members three years ago to now having over 100. To firstly have such an amazing community and then to be nominated was great. To travel to the awards and see these other amazing running clubs who are achieving great things and then to win the award was absolutely amazing. It was a bit of a shock for me at first, but really honoured and it was a great day."

The 2025 edition of the Regional Volunteer Awards are now open for nominations! Do you have a volunteer in your club who deserves recognition? Make your nomination today and help us celebrate the unsung heroes of our sport!