The first day of classes in the fall of 2004 saw about 40 people come out to runwith the U of M Running Club. While numbers dwindled even the next week, they ran a few races, participated in Ball State’s new MC5 club-only cross country race, and generally had a couple dozen active members throughout the fall. When snow fell, however, it was reduced to about 4! So, club members would run and brainstorm ways to grow the club. Club president Aaron Metler began a drive to have the club recognized as a Club Sport with the recreational sports department to move beyond simply being a social club. Aaron’s diligence paid off over the winter with our newly-granted status as a club team representing the University. They began a new procedure of organizing membership, charging dues, and creating a competition schedule.

The team found that despite an increase in time commitment and cost with the new MRUN, members almost exclusively felt as those of us on the board did; the feeling of being part of a team was what we wanted, and the member dues that are required are more than made up for in the team uniform with a university logo, the increased social events and races the team could attend and all of the other different ways in which each invidual became part of something bigger. The team was no longer simply running… it was training, competing, collectively working toward individual and team goals.

In the spring of 2005, with the team's growing numbers and excitement, we decided to host our own 5K cross country race. The MRUN Classic was a small but successful event, and it one helped to create a strong bond among club members. The board worked on the planning and details, while most members volunteered, ran in the race, and worked together. The theory is strong: hosting an event as a club truly helps your organization develop and grow, and is an excellent opportunity to network with other clubs. The momentum from the spring race carrie dMRUN into the summer looking to keep improving the club for members, and to work toward something greater.

The final step for the UM club’s year of improvement took place in the fall of 2005, when sophomore training chair Tom Briley (aka Trainer Tom) implemented his club training plan. Using knowledge acquired from various books on the science behind running and coaching, Tom created a highly customizable plan that members could follow with the group or on their own if they couldn’t be at every run. This schedule kept runners on target with their goals, andwas adapted to 3 distinct levels of ability. Three workouts were given for each day, depending on what the runner felt up to that day, or their level of experience. Each workout had a group doing it, so no members were left out. This plan and the PRs that resulted from it helped the club retain members who enjoyed working toward their goals at their own pace.

Since joining NIRCA, Michigan's club has become a perrenial top competitor for the national title. The men have finished in second place both years, and the women no lower than fourth.

Michigan's Tips for Running Club Growth

• Offer flexibility and options to members while encouraging regular participation
  Members need to know that they can’t just come run once every two weeks and be a full member. Instead of setting minimums however, offer runs 5-6 days aweek, sometimes switching up the meeting time, and scheduling a variety of run types and levels each week
• Create an intertwined social and competitive atmosphere
  The club's best social events included a mix of abilities, and often people who trained together each day hung out with different people when not running… encourage everyone to participate in social events and racing to help the club atmosphere become strong!
• Uniforms!
  Apparel, uniforms, membership cards, and other things not only help people feel part of the team and add value to club membership, it is also cool to truly represent your school as a club athlete wearing the colors and logo! It is usually best to keep apparel voluntary, not to require it to be purchased (a simple t-shirt with the membership dues being an exception!)
• Focus (Running) Groups!
  Continue to ask your members what they would like to see in the club. Give opportunities for new and young members to join the board, hold positions, chair social events, and always to give input on how the club is run. The more ideas and passionate people involved, the better!