Terms & Conditions and Club Policies
Payment for membership and other events should be made up front via bank transfer. Bookings usually close 24h before the start of each session.
Dogless runners are welcome to join the group.
We are unable to refund or transfer the cost of sessions unless you have given us a minimum of 48 hours notice. Please see our Cancellation Policy for more information.
Due to sessions being run in different locations, we ask that you make sure you are able to attend sessions before booking!
Our runs start at the designated times. We ask that you attend the sessions at least 20 minutes EARLY so you are able to kit up, warm up and do anything else you need before you run.
We do not routinely check our phones within 15 minutes of the scheduled start time, so let us know before then if you are running late or you may be left behind.
If you are repeatedly late to sessions or no-show to group runs, you will be asked not to attend future sessions. If you are going to be late to a session you must let us know in advance; we cannot wait around for people as it is unfair on the dogs and the other runners, particularly if the weather is adverse.
All dogs and runners must be wearing appropriate running and canicross equipment. We will not allow runners to join unless they are properly prepared. Canicross is a winter sport, you will get cold, and wet, it is part of the fun we promise!
Every run we do, whether group or 1-1, we expect everyone to follow trail etiquette. This means keeping good control of your dog, calling out to let people know you are passing, and giving priority to other trail users. Please see our Trail Etiquette Policy for further information.
At any time of the year it is highly advisable to wear adequate footwear suitable for trail running! You will find it very very hard to grip even on flat terrain without trail specific shoes, and you may find you need different pairs for various ground and weather conditions. Prices start from £35 and go upwards for trail shoes, but they are worth the investment. Feel free to ask our advice on what works for us. Sliding around is no fun!
Please make sure you are feeling well when you attend sessions. If you have been unwell or have something contagious, please avoid sharing it with the rest of the group. If you would still like your dog running, one of our Leaders may be available to help.
By attending any of our sessions you are agreeing to abide by our policies.
IF YOU NEED TO CANCEL
We limit numbers to all of our events for safety reasons and to ensure we maintain a high level of service. As such, upon booking, your place is secured and will count towards our number cap. Because this may block others from signing up, we will only grant a full refund to any booking cancelled up to and including 48 hours prior to the event.
There will be no refund granted for cancellations within 48 hours of the event.
Please make any cancellation or transfer requests via email, to hello@surreycanicross.co.uk or contact a Leader via WhatsApp.
IF WE NEED TO CANCEL
In the event of a Surrey Canicross Leader needing to cancel a session, we will endeavour to let you know via email, the Facebook group and WhatsApp chat as soon as possible. You will be entitled to transfer your credit to a future event, or to a refund.
A NOTE ON WEATHER
Please note that Canicross is a winter sport, so sessions will continue through rain, hail and shine (and without the dogs when it’s too hot!). Sometimes though, weather conditions get the better even of the hardiest of us and weather can render the trails too unsafe for classes to go ahead. In such instances we will permit you to transfer your credit to a future session.
We will endeavour to let you know in as much time as possible but often decisions cannot be made until shortly before the class is due to start and/or following a trail assessment. We advise that if weather conditions are adverse, you should monitor our Facebook group or WhatsApp Updates Channel for the latest announcements.
Trail Etiquette and Dog Etiquette go hand in hand. So many people have now taken on a canine companion, and many of those have joined the world of trail running or canicross, bikejor, dryland mushing etc. With the steep rise in people out and about with dogs, it is important to realise that we all need to be responsible of our dogs, their welfare, and their impact on those around us.
We run under the principle of ‘Do no harm’. This means leaving the trails as you find them, just with a few additional footprints in the mud. Harm no wildlife, and don’t cause other trail users stress or harm.
Trail Rules:
When out on the trail, whether in a group or running solo with your dog:
– Stick to the left side where possible and safe to do so. Single file is normally best when running in groups.
– Be aware of your surroundings.
– Have proper control over your dog.
– Warn others if you are approaching call out ahead.
– Always tell them if/when you are over taking them and which side you will be doing it on, make sure there is space to do so, and that the other person has HEARD you before over taking. Only overtake if you and your dog are safely able to do so.
– Be prepared to surrender the trail to other trail users. It doesn’t hurt anyone letting someone take over you.
– Know when it is safe and appropriate to do ‘race pace’.
– Canicrossers social distanced before it was cool, 2 meters space between runners please! It is the absolutely your responsibility to ensure you leave enough room in front of you for the runner ahead to stop and stop suddenly if they need too. Give enough space!
– Make yourself super visible, so you let people see you so that trail users with a dog have a chance to get their dogs back and under control! Set other people up for success.
Coached runs: Approximately 1 hour’s group canicross teaching or coaching from a canicross Club Leader, which may focus on canicross and running fitness skills for various ability levels and over different distances.
Club Runs: Hosted by a canicross Club Leader. These routes are planned and pre-scouted for safety checks, and may be night runs, morning runs, themed or special event runs. Will sometimes include tea/coffee. Included in Full Membership.
Adventure Run / Adventure Hike: Hosted by a canicross Club Leader, Adventure Runs/Hikes often involve new or different locations, longer distances or similar challenges and are usually suitable for all abilities and experience levels. These routes are planned and pre-scouted for safety checks, usually over 7km+ distance (hikes) or 10km+ (runs), and do not usually involve coaching. May form part of a longer camp weekend and sometimes includes tea/coffee and post-run snacks.
Workshops (Varies): Specialist sessions looking in depth at certain topics such as Night Running, Downhill Running or similar.
All Official Club sessions are only bookable via our website.
Member-hosted Social Runs (FREE): Hosted by Club Members and made available via our Facebook or WhatsApp groups (Note: Leaders may choose to host impromptu free runs in their own right!). Member-hosted Social Runs are hosted and attended at Members' own risk, and are not planned, risk assessed or managed by Surrey Canicross Club.