Many runners keep themselves motivated by participating in group runs. It’s a great way to keep your interest sparked. So to help you give the group a few fresh ideas, here are some fun running tips for groups, courtesy of Andre Kaokane at Running Tips 4 All:

Out And Back

An out-and-back run lasts for a particular length of time, for example 40 minutes. The whole group starts out at the same time and runs in the same direaction along a fixed route. (A running trail or bicycle path works well.) Each person runs at his or her own pace, so the group will naturally begin to spread out. Then at the halfway point in time (20 minutes), all runners turn around and head back to the starting point. The faster runners have gone farther out, so they will “sweep up” the other runners on the way back, and the group will gradually reassemble. That way, the whole group will arrive at the original start all at the same time.

Speed Bursts

First the group warms up by running together for 5 or 10 minutes. Then at a certain time, any runner who wishes to do so can break away from the group in a burst of speed. The burst can either last for a certain length of time (20 seconds) or else go to a particular location (to the big oak tree and back). When the burst is finished, the “bursters” rejoin the group that has been running at a steady pace. The whole group runs together for 5 minutes, then you can repeat with a different burst of runners.

Single File

Here the group runs together single file, keeping a distance between runners of about 5 or 10 meters. After warming up, the last runner runs forward to the top of the line. After a minute or two, the new last person in line does the same thing and runs up to take his or her place in front. This cycle can continue for a set length of time, or until each person has had a certain number of turns. This is a fun way to incorporate some gentle speed work because it allows each person to run to the front as fast as they want to.

Running with a group is one of the very best beginner running tips, because it keeps you motivated to stick to your program and lets you have fun at the same time. Keep up the good work, and happy running!