VISION & VALUES

Orchard Eagles Running Club is a welcoming, friendly and inclusive running club, which embraces runners of all abilities

  • We support and encourage each other to achieve our goals in a healthy, positive way, empowering runners to challenge themselves.

  • We celebrate and value all individual and team achievements and love to cheer each other on in person, online, at club and in events.

  • We are a family: we are there for each other through good and bad times, offering a helping hand and encouraging words.

  • We are passionate about running and making club sessions fun and motivational. Organised runs include a mix of speed, hills and distance, as well as varying routes with road and trail to keep things interesting.

  • We learn and grow through our shared experience and leave no runner behind. We inspire each other.

Our History

We are a thriving and friendly running club based in the local area, with more than 100 members. While our roots are firmly in Eaglescliffe, our members come from across the wider area, including Yarm, Middlesbrough, Stockton, Ingleby Barwick, Nunthorpe and Redcar.

Orchard Eagles Running Club was founded in July 2014 by eight members. Training sessions initially took place at Allen’s West during the winter months, before moving to the Oakwood Centre for the summer. By the autumn of that year, Orchard Eagles had become an affiliated running club and an official committee had been formed.

As membership grew, we welcomed our first running leaders and expanded the locations of our club runs. This included moves to Orchard Community Centre and The Eagle, both of which remain regular meeting points for the club today.

In August 2016, our first Beginners course reached its finale, with participants completing a nonstop 5K run following a ten week programme. The course proved a great success and has since become a popular part of the club, helping new runners build their confidence and fitness in a friendly and supportive environment.

In 2024, we expanded this approach with our first eight week Return to Running course. It was designed to support people getting back into running after some time away and proved to be another successful addition to the club.

During the pandemic, OERC adapted to the changing circumstances and found new ways to keep members active, connected and motivated. As restrictions eased, we were able to bring members back together and build on some of the routes and local trails discovered during that period.

Today, our programme includes a wide variety of sessions, starting not only in Eaglescliffe but from different locations across the local area. Alongside our regular club runs, we mix up the training calendar with sessions and programmes focused on areas such as 10K running, the fast mile, cross country, trails and even sand dune training.

Our members take part in road, trail and ultra events across the country and beyond. On most weekends, you will find an Orchard Eagle somewhere taking on a race, challenge or parkrun.

Popular events among our members include the Middlesbrough 10K, Great North Run, Yorkshire Running Festival, local cross country events, Ormesby Hall 10K and the many parkruns across our area. Orchard Eagles are also regularly represented at Hardmoors events, from the 26.2 series through to the ultramarathons.

We are proud to have a team of qualified running leaders and coaches who help us offer a varied programme for our growing membership. Whether someone is taking their first steps into running, returning after a break, working towards a personal goal or looking for their next challenge, there is a place for them at Orchard Eagles.

But Orchard Eagles has always been about more than running. Over the years, countless friendships have been formed while pounding the pavements, tackling the trails, training together and supporting one another.

More than a decade after those first eight members came together, that sense of community remains at the heart of Orchard Eagles Running Club.

London Marathon 

In 2026, the club was fortunate to receive a place in the London Marathon ballot, awarded based on our number of affiliated members. Following our internal club ballot, the place was awarded to Jane, our Social Media Officer, who proudly represented the Eagles on one of the world's biggest marathon stages.

The 2026 London Marathon proved to be a memorable occasion, with record breaking participation and incredible support lining the streets of London. Jane described the atmosphere as unlike anything she had experienced before, from the camaraderie among runners travelling to the start to the constant encouragement from spectators throughout the course.

After completing a strong training block leading into the event, race day presented some challenges. Warm conditions and stomach issues during the latter stages of the marathon meant that plans had to be adjusted, but determination carried Jane through to the finish line. She crossed the line in an impressive time of 4:30:54, a result she was rightly proud of.

Following the race, Jane attended a post event gathering hosted by Bowel Cancer UK, adding a charitable element to an already memorable day.

Representing the club at the London Marathon is a special opportunity, and we are delighted that Jane was able to take part in such a landmark event. Her achievement is another proud chapter in the club's history and serves as inspiration for members considering entering future London Marathon ballots.