Thursday Nights we meet at 7.30pm the 'Tortoise and Hare' statue on Broadway - the finish line of many cross country races. Tempo runs are a key ingredient for improving race times and are run at a pace that you could run a 10 mile race - at least in theory! This is also described as a pace at which you could hold a conversation but only with short sentences. Runs vary in style to take account of the abilities of whoever turns up. Runs may include 3 laps of the 'Flats' (1.5 miles each lap), or may go up to Tibbetts Brook Park along the Putnam Trail, using the wooded trail section to keep together and warm up and own before and after. The total effort distance is usually about 4-5 miles.

Once a month, on the second Thursday usually, there is a Time Trial so people can see how they've improved. This is just 3 laps of the Flats but handicapped with the slowest going first. After a good head-start the faster runs give chase and if the handicaps work right everyone should finish together, except that the most improved will hold off the challengers from behind and catch the runners ahead! Great fun and a real challenge. Points are given for best improvement and go into a league table - just for fun.

A beer afterwards is always an option!