Oliver Kidman laces up his trainers for a day’s trail running with the inclusive Rock N Road crew and discovers an exciting new way to explore Jersey’s epic environment
A NEW venture lay ahead for this week’s Tryout Tuesday as I made my first forays into trail running, under the guidance of the Rock N Road Runners’ friendly and welcoming community.
Rock N Road Runners was founded in 2021 when Rik and Louise at Liberty Wharf’s Rock N Road shop had the idea of creating a real running community and bringing everyone in Jersey together, regardless of their experience level.
Since then, the club has rocketed in popularity, and it now accommodates just shy of 200 members, while offering something for everyone. Whether it’s their intervals session on Thursday evenings, Saturday’s unique trail runs or Sunday’s road runs, the club strives to open up access for all.
Despite their wide offering, I came to try one of Rock N Road Runners’ unique trail runs and find out about this unique aspect of running. Let’s dive in.
Let’s find out more
First, what is trail running? It’s a type of running that takes place on outdoor trails, often in terrain such as cliffs and woodland with significant ascents and descents – it’s essentially just off-road running. There isn’t really a definition, so running on any surface that isn’t road or tarmac could fall under the trail running bracket.
As a sport, trail running has begun to hit its stride, with uploads to Strava more than doubling since 2022 according to a report from Fitt Insider.
Of course, running is booming in general, but the off-road version varies greatly from running on the tarmac, bringing an allure all its own.
The sheer variation is a huge draw for runners. In Jersey, you can run through mud, sand, gravel, hard-packed soil, grass, loose rock, water crossings and even – albeit very rarely – snow.
For such a small island, Jersey’s trail network is epic, with fields, woods, sand dunes, beaches, reservoirs and rolling cliffs forming the foundation of the Island’s endless trail possibilities – each one bringing its own challenges.
With this, trail running also offers the incredible opportunity to see the Island in a whole new light, as Sam Wilkes, the club’s head of marketing, said: “Trails are a great way of getting out there and seeing different parts of Jersey – you see a whole different side to the Island.”
It differs from the usual running routine, however, so you must get to grips with a new set of skills.
Although the requisite techniques are pretty easy to pick up, Rock N Road Runners offer Intro to Trails sessions that enable anyone starting their journey to interact with qualified coaches and learn everything they need to begin.
“Intro to Trails sessions are held over a number of weeks and are all about building out the technique, as it’s very different to running on the road. We have qualified coaches here to help and there are no questions too stupid to ask,” Wilkes continued.
“We take people out in small groups to really work on technique. There are so many moving parts while going uphill, downhill or on flat ground, but if you get out there and do it, you’ll quickly learn.”
This is one of Rock N Road Runners’ unique selling points as a club, as they offer all forms of running to their members. As well as this, they offer interval sessions down at the Waterfront’s Freedom Tree on Thursday evenings, while Sundays play host to long distance road runs.
The club’s wide variety exhibits the commitment they bring to their mission, which Wilkes explained: “The whole idea of Rock N Road Runners was to bring together a true running community on the Island and get everyone running, while also enjoying what Jersey has to offer.
“For us, it doesn’t matter what clubs people go to, we just want to get people running and we’ll try any way to help do that. Running in general just brings so many benefits, physically and mentally, that it’s important people get out there.
“There are so many barriers to entry for this. Many don’t feel confident and have bad memories of running, others are daunted by the fitness aspect – so, we just want to break down as many barriers as possible.
“We always have someone leading, another in the middle of the pack and one more acting as a tail-runner at the back, meaning that everyone is catered to and you’ll never be last.”
Wilkes then went on to expand by detailing what it’s done for his life, adding: “Being a part of Rock N Road Runners has been phenomenal, as I’m not from here originally – it’s really helped me meet loads of new people and make many great friends, so I’m eternally grateful to the club.
“Getting out and seeing different parts of Jersey has also been fantastic for me, and being out in nature and running just gives me that time to switch off and be present while having a chat.”
The club’s focus isn’t just about running, as they want to offer something for every one of their members. Whether its helping out in the local community with events, fielding teams at events such as the Swimarathon or organising socials such as their trip to Sark, “nothing is off the table” in terms of the club’s community-building.
What’s great about Rock N Road Runners is that it couldn’t be easier to get started – no sign-up is required, just check when the next run is and pop down.
“The best way to find out about us is either to visit our website or follow our social media pages on Facebook or Instagram – you’ll always be able to find the details of our next runs on there,” Wilkes continued.
“All you have to do is turn up and you’ll never be turned away. It’s free for first-timers and you’ll always be welcomed with open arms, so just come down and get started.
“All we want to do is get more people out running, expand on the ages we offer and break down more barriers for some of the under-represented communities – the sky’s the limit, really.”
Time to lace up the trainers
Since being introduced to the club last year, I’ve been desperate for the opportunity to take part in one of their infamous trail runs – so I was thrilled to finally get the opportunity.
I was offered either the original 90-minute version or the new, more accessible 60-minute route – I don’t know whether it was ego or self belief, but I instantly went for the former.
Now, given I’m not the best morning person and I had to ship myself out to St Brelade’s Bay for 8am – paired with the fact that I haven’t gone out running in the past six months – meant there were fears that I had bitten off more than I can chew.
However, now it was time to put that all to the test – was I up for the challenge? I came out fully kitted out in my UVU running gear – a running jacket, tracksuit bottoms – I had all the gear, and hopefully some idea to go with it.
I started running and I quickly found myself near the lead pack – what a result to kick off. I was holding the pace and was feeling confident – why did I ever even worry? What an athlete.
I quickly realised, however, I had greatly overestimated the gear I needed for the weather, as it quickly heated up.
So, being forced to trade the bottoms for shorts and ditch the jacket didn’t do my time any favours, but fortunately one of the friendly runners gave me a hand by allowing me to store them in their backpack – what a saviour. That enabled me to keep going, without sweating too much. What I found was that the pace remained relatively brisk, meaning that everyone was able to more or less stick together while tackling the cliff paths and woodland trails.
We went through the bay and round Ouaisné, then following the coast around all the way through to Portelet before heading straight back the way we came, which is the same for all of their routes, so there’s always the option to turn back, but that didn’t cross my mind.
I tend to find road running pretty tedious unless I’m chasing times, so this came as a welcome change, as the sheer variety of terrain meant that I was always engaged – otherwise I’d be slipping and tripping everywhere.
Also, some of the paths that we took I had never even seen before, despite living in Jersey for over 21 years.
What has to be said is that these runs are, in my opinion, certainly not for performance – if you’re whole thing is chasing the sub-20 5km time and pursuing speed, then these trail runs probably aren’t for you.
However, if you want to meet loads of new people, be present in nature and get running while enjoying your surroundings, then you will love this.
Finishing up with a coffee down at the bay meant everyone could socialise and fuel up after the 15km run, giving me time to reflect on the great time I had and find out even more about the club. Everyone was so social and friendly, Rock N Road Runners have done a great job in fostering such a warm environment.
I’d certainly encourage anyone to give this a go, whatever their ability. With the volunteers stationed at all points in the group, you’ll never be last and the brisk pace allows you to keep up, so don’t be intimidated by the long durations – it goes quicker than you might think.
Check out rocknroadrunners.je or find Rock N Road Runners on Facebook and Instagram for more information.
