calhoun beach running club

●  When does the CBRC meet?  ●

6 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday.  Saturdays are 7 a.m. for our summer season (corresponding to TCM training, late June to early October) or 8 a.m. for the rest of the year. We generally get running by 15 minutes after the hour.

●  Does the CBRC meet year round? ●

Yes! We wouldn’t be able to call ourselves a true Minnesotan club without running year round would we!?

Our runners are generally a hearty bunch that train through winter. Since our main training programs run from spring to fall, don’t worry if the cold is too much for you. Nevertheless, if you’re looking for a group to run with year round, we’ve got runners who aren’t afraid of a little cold!

●  Do I need to be a member of Calhoun Beach Club to join CBRC?  ●

No! Lots of people never even consider joining the running club because they think they have to join Calhoun Beach Club (CBC). That is not true! You can join CBRC without joining CBC, yet still enjoy some of CBC's amenities.

●  What is the structure of Calhoun Beach Running Club?  ●

We have two main training seasons kicking off in February (spring, associated with Grandma's and Minneapolis) and late June (summer, associated with TCM and Chicago). Paul Donnelly is the head coach. He is supported by Mike Mason and recruiting lead Abby Dornbusch. Runners receive training season schedules, coaching, and support stops. Additionally, our runs are structured such that no one runs alone except by choice; you don't need to worry about being "dropped" from the run.

●  Can I come for a run without paying?  ●

Absolutely. Please come for a "trial run" any day we are meeting. Also, we encourage you to let us know beforehand (email info@calhounbeachrunningclub.com or call 612.419.8545) so the athletic desk is expecting you.

●  Are you sure I'll have someone to run with? What if I am too slow?  ●

We bet you're not too slow. Our runs are organized so that no one runs alone except if he or she chooses to do so. Our runners are flexible and enjoy the company of other runners, so if you aren't feeling well and don't want to run back alone, the group you are with will slow down for you.

●  I don't want to run a marathon. Is this still the club for me?  ●

We welcome new members running for fitness or for any race distance. Not everyone in the CBRC runs marathons; a number of our runners are not training for any races. If you plan to run a half marathon, 5k, or a 10 mile race, then this is definitely the group for you.  The difference in training for these races vs. the marathon is mostly the length of your weekend runs.  We always offer shorter Saturday runs.

If you really just want someone to run four to seven miles with on a weeknight, we can provide that. Remember, too, that you do not have to participate to the extent most marathoners do (e.g., you can reduce the hill workout by doing less repeats, or you can skip the workout entirely).

●  What is the cost to join CBRC?  ●

Runners pay an initiation fee of $120 to join. However, we are currently offering a half price initiation fee discount ($60 off) to runners training with us for the first time. The monthly CBRC membership fee is $14.00 a month.

Members of the CBC (athletic club) can run with us at no cost.

We think the cost is very reasonable by most standards and phenomenally low when you realize the number of days we run and all of the fun we have. Combined with the facts that CBRC has the best running location in the Twin Cities and great people, we believe you can't make a better choice. And while we'll run in the cold and rain, we meet inside a large (warm and dry) stretching room both before and after runs, and we have a locker room in which to shower and dress.

●  Where is the running club located?  ●

The club meets at Calhoun Beach Club at 2925 Dean Parkway.

●  Where will I find parking?  ●

There is a paid parking ramp off Thomas Avenue. There are few metered spaces on Thomas Avenue, and there are even more spaces available on Dean Parkway, which is where the majority of our runners park.

●  Where does the CBRC meet?  ●

We meet in the Calhoun Beach Athletic Club, in the iconic red clay roof building located on the north side of Lake Calhoun, between Thomas Ave. and Dean Parkway on Lake St. We specifically meet in the stretching room next to the cardio machines. When you arrive, the athletic desk will direct you to the locker rooms and the stretching room.

●  Do I have to attend all the runs?  ●

Of course not.  The only runners we expect regular attendance from are the ones receiving TCM entries from us.  And by regular, we mean at least half or so.

●  I can't make it to weeknight runs. What are my options?  ●

Come run with us on Saturdays.  In marathon training, the long weekend runs are the most important runs, so this is a great chance for you to run with other people and make these runs fun and easy.  Unfortunately, we do not have a different weekday option.

●  What if I want to qualify/train for Boston?  ●

For several years running, CBRC has trained a handful of runners for the world's most elite marathon (well, other than the Olympics!)--what a testament to Coach Paul's training programs. In Fall 2009, 9 CBRC runners, or a quarter of those who ran, qualified for Boston. Our 2010 runners included the 9th Minnesota woman.  Our 2007 runners included the 4th Minnesota man and 4th Minnesota woman.  Outside of an actual racing team, we're sure no running club had better results!  We've even had number of runners travel to Boston for fun and to support the group instead of running the race. Regardless of how many runners register for Boston next year, we will tailor a running schedule to your Boston needs.  

●  I didn't register for the Twin Cities Marathon in time; do you have any entries?  ●

We do. However, even our entries are due by late July.  You might be out of luck if it’s past that date.  In general, we have entries for TCM if you sign up with us in time. We have three rules for runners gaining entry through us:
1.  You must pay for CBRC through December and pay our summer training fee. This is in addition to the TCM entry fee.
2.  You must actually train with CBRC (we will let TCM know otherwise, and they will revoke your entry).
3.  You must volunteer with TCM one particular Saturday afternoon in September (usually two weeks prior to race date) to assemble chips or stuff packets.  That's a TCM rule, and if you are unavailable to volunteer yourself, you will need to send a proxy.



home

more about us

why to join

training programs

social events

faq

We would love to hear from you, but we encourage you to read our full FAQ list first!

contact us

2925 Thomas Ave. S. Minneapolis, MN 55416

 
Join us for a run:

• Monday – 6 p.m.
• Tuesday – 6 p.m.
• Thursday – 6 p.m.
• Saturday – 8 a.m.