Our Training Sessions

All Harriers training sessions are for members only , apart from Wednesday evening when potential members are welcome to come along for a couple of weeks before deciding whether they would like to join us

The club now has a number of coaches who are either England Athletics qualified or working towards it.

  • Alan Probert (Head Coach)
  • Sharon Hawkins
  • Bob Foster
  • Tim Erskine
  • Hannah Erskine
  • Russell Morling
  • Paul Ahsunollah
  • Denise Wright
  • Penny Holden
  • Rich Ellison
  • Rachel Smith

Wednesday Nights

This is our main session, which begins at 6:30pm with the Early Birds run. The main run usually begins around 7:45pm, and this is preceded by any club announcements and news about upcoming races and any events that took place the previous weekend. The bar is also open for that essential post-run rehydration!

Tuesday Nights

Speed Training at the Sutton Valence school track.

The school is located along the A274 and is about a mile from the Five Wents crossroads (The Plough is on your left if you are coming from Maidstone). Travel along this road for a mile and the main school car park is on your left. The postcode is ME17 3HL If you intend to come to this first session, I would recommend that we meet at the main Sutton Valence School car park at 7.15pm for a 7.30pm start. The track is at the far corner of the school playing fields and is a bit of a trek. If you come late, either ask for directions when you get to the school or look out for the floodlights - don't get confused with the hockey pitch floodlights.

Saturday Mornings

Please note the Saturday morning sessions are currently not taking place. They should resume after Christmas.

The above sessions are held by Alan Probert and others each Saturday at 9.00am in South Park, which is behind the hockey club in Armstrong Road. These sessions cater for all abilities, are friendly, and last for about an hour. We generally have a range of abilities and always welcome new faces. The sessions consist of a range of interval type training. Some weeks it may be 400 metres x 8 with a 2 minute recovery period. Other weeks it may be relays or a mix of distances. The purpose of doing intervals is to vary your pace with a view to bringing down your race times times. Its important that you don't always run at the same pace as you simply will not improve. When we do set distances, ie 400 metres, times are recorded and circulated to those who attend, to keep a record of progress and how individuals have performed.

If for any reason the weather is so bad the Saturday session cannot be held, there will be a message posted on the Maidstone Harriers Facebook page by 8.00am.

There are also sometimes longer runs on Saturday mornings, starting at 8am from the car park by the Hockey Club. Please check on the club Facebook page to see if these are taking place.

Thursday Night Hill Sessions

These sessions have now finished.

Hannah Erskine is running hill training each Thursday night. These sessions are aimed at all abilities will not only make your legs stronger but will make you fitter overall and give you the competitive edge over those who don't do hill training. Please meet promptly at the Hockey Club at 19:15