Gosforth Harriers: A Guide to One of the North East's Most Established Athletics Clubs
Founded in 1927, Gosforth Harriers is a competitive and welcoming athletics club offering road running, cross country, track and field, and fell running for juniors and adults alike.
Gosforth Harriers is one of the longest-established athletics clubs in the North East of England. Founded in 1927, the club has been part of the local sporting landscape for almost a century, producing competitive runners and field athletes while maintaining a welcoming, community-focused ethos. With around 140 active members ranging from children as young as eight through to competitive veterans, it caters for a broad range of ages and abilities.
The club is currently based at Great Park Community Centre on Roseden Way (NE13 9BD), with training sessions spread across several locations in and around Gosforth. Whether you are an experienced runner looking for structured training or a parent exploring options for a sporty child, Gosforth Harriers is well worth knowing about.
What They Offer
Gosforth Harriers competes across the full range of athletics disciplines. Members regularly take part in local road races, cross country events, track and field meetings, and fell running competitions. The club also enters teams in major national championships, meaning there are opportunities for athletes of all levels to test themselves against quality opposition.
The club's stated aim is to encourage every member to compete with confidence, to feel part of a team, and above all to enjoy the experience.
Best for: Road running, cross country, track and field, and fell running for juniors and adults of all abilities.
Training Sessions
The club runs a structured weekly programme across several venues:
Monday -- Beginners and juniors (ages 8--11) train from 18:30 to 19:30 at Great Park (NE13 9DZ) with running, drills, and exercises. Seniors and veterans meet at the same time at Great Park Community Centre for a steady-paced group run of five to six miles.
Wednesday -- A track session at Churchill Playing Fields in Whitley Bay from 18:30 to 19:30, plus an alternative speed session at a Gosforth location for seniors who cannot make the track.
Saturday -- All members meet at the Border Minstrel car park in High Gosforth Park (NE3 5EJ) from 10:00 to 11:15 for speed and strength endurance work. When events are taking place at Newcastle Racecourse, alternative locations are used.
Sunday -- A social long run at 08:30, with the route varying week to week. A relaxed, group-paced outing and a highlight of the club's social calendar.
Best for: Multiple weekly sessions across Gosforth and the surrounding area, covering speed work, endurance, and social running.
Junior Section
The junior section is a cornerstone of the club. Gosforth Harriers welcomes children from the age of eight, with training split into two main groups:
Beginner juniors (ages 8--11) meet on Monday evenings at Great Park. Children should be able to run at least one mile before joining. The sessions focus on developing basic running skills, drills, and exercises in a fun, supportive environment.
Juniors (ages 11 and above) train alongside the seniors and should be able to run at least three miles at roughly 8:30-minute mile pace. A 26-minute parkrun is used as a benchmark.
The club also signposts junior athletics sessions (ages 5--16) run by a third-party provider at Gateshead College Academy for Sport on Thursdays and Fridays from 17:00 to 18:00, at a cost of four pounds per session.
It is worth noting that the beginners group (ages 8--11) is currently oversubscribed and the waiting list has been suspended. The club is working to accommodate more junior members, so it is worth contacting them to check the latest position.
Best for: Structured junior coaching from age eight, with separate beginner and development groups. Contact the club early as waiting lists apply.
The Summer Relays
Gosforth Harriers organises one of the most popular club events on the North East athletics calendar: the annual Summer Relays. Held at Newcastle Great Park, the event draws clubs from across the region for a day of relay racing, camaraderie, and competition.
The adult relay race consists of three legs of approximately two miles over a single lap of an undulating, mainly tarmac course through the parkland of the Great Park. There are also junior races. The 2025 event attracted strong fields and was widely praised as a celebration of community athletics at its best.
The club also organises internal competitions throughout the year, including a time trial, a Turkey Trot, a club mile, and cross country championships.
Best for: The Summer Relays at Newcastle Great Park and a calendar of internal club competitions throughout the year.
Cross Country and Beyond
Gosforth Harriers fields teams in the North East Harrier League, the region's premier cross country competition. Fixtures take place across the North East from October to March, and the club regularly turns out strong squads of seniors and juniors. For many members, the harrier league is the highlight of the winter calendar.
How to Join
Prospective members can attend a couple of training sessions free of charge before deciding whether to join. Adults should be able to run a minimum of four to five miles at ten-minute mile pace or better. The club recommends speaking with a club captain or group leader before your first session.
For juniors, the club suggests completing a Junior Parkrun (two kilometres) before attending, to ensure a child is comfortable running in a group setting.
The membership year runs from 1 October to 30 September. Membership includes England Athletics athlete registration (currently seventeen pounds, paid by the club on your behalf), all club training sessions, access to facilities, entry to selected regional and national competitions, and subsidised travel to some races.
To register your interest, visit gosforthharriers.com/register or email admin@gosforth-harriers.org.
Best for: Two free trial sessions, then membership from October to September. England Athletics registration is included in the fee.
Why It Matters
With nearly a century of history behind it, Gosforth Harriers has earned its place as one of the most respected athletics clubs in the region. It is competitive enough to challenge ambitious athletes and welcoming enough to make newcomers feel at home from their very first session.
Interested in joining? Get in touch or visit the Gosforth Harriers website.