BME RC Questions?
WHAT DO MY MEMBERSHIP FEES PAY FOR?
As a community-based program, BME RC strives to keep annual membership dues and special program fees as low as possible while covering facility access and permits, insurance, and other operational expenses that are necessary to keep the organization sustainable. All programs of BME RC including the year-long Community Distance Running program, Green Flash Youth Cross Country Team, Spring into Running, and the Advanced Youth Distance Running Clinics, are self-sustaining, meaning that your registration dollars stay with the program(s) in which you participate. General BME RC membership renewal is based on 12-month memberships beginning on the date of registration.
CAN MY CHILD JOIN THIS ORGANIZATION AND PARTICIPATE IN THE WORKOUTS WITH ME?
Yes! BME RC is 100% family oriented, targeting both youth and adult runners, and, hopefully, reaching entire families as we aspire to help build a healthier, fitter United States. To participate in any BME RC workout, runners must have an annual membership ($100 per runner). Youth runners age 9 and younger must register (general membership) with an adult. The fall youth cross country program —- the Green Flash Cross Country (XC) Team — is for youth runners (ages 5 to 18) only, however, to participate on the team, youth must first have a BME RC annual membership.
MY CHILD ALREADY COMPETES FOR A SCHOOL RUNNING TEAM. CAN HE/SHE DO BOTH?
Our club offers a “drop in” membership option ($50 per runner per year) for high school and collegiate runners who are looking for group training experiences during their off seasons (e.g., winter, summer). We will warmly welcome them when those seasons are over.
HOW LONG DO PRACTICES LAST?
Most practices will last about 1.5 hours and include a warm-up, core workout, and cool down activities.
WHERE AND WHEN ARE PRACTICES HELD?
Practices for the year-long community training will be held in local parks and other recreation areas as well as at middle school and high school tracks in Frederick, Carroll, and upper Montgomery County. Please check our website for the most-current and accurate information for practices and events. In general, during the fall/winter practices will most likely be held on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday. In the spring/summer a second practice per week is added, typically, each Tuesday at 6 PM.
Practices for the fall (August - November) Green Flash Youth Cross Country team will be held at Kemptown Park in Monrovia on Tuesday and Thursday evening.
We will only cancel practice if the weather conditions are not safe for running — severe thunderstorms, ice, and/or snow. We do run in the rain and snow, as long as conditions are safe!
WHAT IF I CAN'T RUN FAST ENOUGH TO KEEP UP WITH EVERYONE?
BME RC membership reflects all ability and experience levels. Workouts,including distances covered, will be tailored to the ability and experience level of participants, and many workout sessions will involve breaking into smaller training groups. Our long distance running will emphasize the social aspects of running where talking while running is heartily encouraged and desired!
I ALWAYS RUN WITH MY DOG; CAN I BRING HIM OR HER TO PRACTICES TO EXERCISE?
We love dogs! However, if you are training with us as an athlete, we kindly request that you refrain from bringing dogs to running practice, to ensure the comfort and safety of all participants.
If you are a parent who is watching practice, you may bring your dog to practice as long as you keep the dog on a leash and away from the athletes who are training.
WHAT ARE PRACTICES LIKE?
Our year-long community distance running training is geared towards runners from different age-groups, experience, and ability levels. Our group long runs (often on the weekends) will take place in local parks and neighborhoods and will be be done on softer surfaces such as wooded trails and the C&O Canal Towpath. Particularly in the spring and early summer, we will also hold turnover (cadence)/speed development workouts where we focus on stride mechanics and strength development (often through hill running). Practices will include warm-up activities (dynamic stretching and drills) and cool down activities (static stretching and drills). Core strengthening and overall flexibility exercises will also often be a practice component. For both types of training, athletes will often be placed in sub-groups based on age (particularly for youth runners), experience, and running pace.
WHAT IS THE COMMUNITY TRAINING COMPETITION SCHEDULE?
This will be evolving! A team calendar will be distributed and posted on the website as it is developed. For the year-long community team, the fall competition schedule will likely include at least one road race and one trail race.
In the spring/summer, there will typically be one main race per month, March through June, while the weather is still cool. Based upon member interests and goals, the program may participate in late spring/early summer trail running series.
Racing is not at all required — just an option for those who are interested.
HOW DO I SIGN UP?
BME RC registration is available at RunSignUp!
WHAT IS THE CANCELLATION/REFUND POLICY?
BME RC does not grant membership or event refunds. If a special circumstance comes up within the first two weeks of registering for a -BME RC program, please email the BME RC executive director at bmerunningclub@gmail.com. We reserve the right to cancel practices and events at our discretion or when a matter might be out of our control.