What we do
There are more details elsewhere on the site that explain in depth about each discipline we're involved with. Here we aim to give you a brief overview of what we offer.
We're broadly divided into Senior and Junior sections. Each has a section on this website - just click the relevant tab.
Juniors
Juniors can join the club when they're 8, or in Year 4. They meet on Thursdays at the track at 6.30pm and can tackle sprinting, throwing, jumping and endurance running. We enter various leagues and competitions including Quad Kids, two cross country leagues, Sportshall (also Thursday evenings - at Kings School) and the McCain Young Athletes League (track and field). There's usually scope for everyone to compete. Some athletes are invited to extra sessions on Tuesday evenings and/or Saturday mornings.
Seniors
Social club runs - Wednesday and Thursday evenings and Saturday mornings. See Thinking of Joining? for more info. As long as you can run for 30 mins non-stop (it doesn't matter how fast... or slow) you are welcome!
Tuesday speed sessions - based on the track, the adjoining grass or on set circuits around Winchester. These sessions are ideal for anyone who has a basic fitness and wants to build towards racing or improving strength. See Thinking of Joining? for more info.
Road running - We take part in the Hampshire Road Race League and many other local and national races from 5k to marathon and beyond. Tuesday sessions tend to be structured around spring and autumn marathons, summer 5k and 10k races and winter cross country as appropriate. See Road Running for more info.
Cross country - the choice is huge! We participate in the Hampshire League (Saturdays) and CC6 (Sundays) leagues in the winter and RR10 (Wednesday evenings) in the summer. All are free to enter for club members. The CC6 series in particular is tremendous for first timers. In fact, anyone who's run too fast in the past is banned from entry! We also enter teams for the Southern Inter-counties, the Nationals and other national competitions. See the cross country section for more.
Ultra and trail - More and more members are have great success at ultra distances so if you're interested in Marathon des Sables, Comrades, LeJog or anything really, there's some great experience among members and coaches within the club for you to tap into.
Track & field - We will be fielding mixed teams for the newly-formed Southern Athletics League (Saturday afternoons) this year. We've also had tremendous success in recent years in the Hampshire and Surrey Vets League, getting to the finals in the last few years. And we're improving all the time! Time to dust off your spikes and come down and give it a go! We're running some taster sessions this spring so if you fancy a go at javelin, or long jump or any track or field event, jump on the band wagon! See Track and Field for more info.
Relays - We enter teams in various relay events such as the Southern Road Relays, Test Way Relay, Welsh Castles Relay (a cross between the Tour de France and the Wacky Races...) and the National Road Relays. These are great events that have a real team atmosphere spiced up with some friendly rivalry with other local clubs. See Relays for more.
Strength & Conditioning - This is a new initiative aimed at giving members an insight into core strength and exercises to improve form and running-specific strength. The classes cost £18 for a course of six, and run on Monday at 6pm at Winchester University.
Social gatherings - We have various parties and social evenings throughout the year - sometimes to celebrate achievements (the annual awards evening for example) but sometimes just for fun!
Triathlon and multisport - several junior and senior members have competed at triathlon, duathlon, biathlon and biathle at various levels and distances including ironman. WADAC is newly-affiliated to the British Triathlon Federation and is looking at potentially offering some sessions in cycling and swimming in the future. Running will always be the focus of WADAC, but we recognise that many members participate in multisport and that Winchester is home to many multisport athletes.
Other ways to be involved - If you don't fancy competing, you can still be involved in any of the events that interest you. We love helpers!
- Helpers - We hold various fixtures and events at our home track so always need helpers there. We are famed for our cake stalls and our bacon and sausage sarnies at our home cross country event at Farleigh Mount
- Marshalls - we provide marshals for any events we organise.
- We also have to provide officials for track and field events and will pay for you to qualify.
- Track and field coaching - is there anybody out there? We're on the hunt for field coaches in particular to boost both junior and senior capabilities.