Est. 1992
Who We Are
A track and field club built by athletes, for athletes — running on the same track, chasing the same goals, and backing each other every step of the way.
A track and field club built by athletes, for athletes — running on the same track, chasing the same goals, and backing each other every step of the way.
Silk City Striders didn't come out of nowhere. Back in 1992, a small group of runners in Manchester kept bumping into each other at different local meets and realising they all had the same problem — training alone was hard, boring, and honestly a bit demoralising. Someone suggested they just agree on a day and a time and meet up. That single idea turned into the first proper session, then the second, then the hundredth, and before anyone knew it, there was a real club with a name, a committee, and a stubborn refusal to give up on anyone who wanted to be part of it.
The name itself is pretty straightforward. "Silk City" is a nod to Manchester's history as a textile powerhouse — the kind of place where people worked hard, got their hands dirty, and built something that lasted. "Striders" was chosen because it sounded like the sort of club you'd actually want to train with. Not too serious, not too casual. Just right.
"The whole point was to build a space where you could turn up on a Wednesday evening after a long day at work, still be tired, and somehow end up having the best time of your week just because the people around you made you feel like you belonged."
We don't pretend to be the biggest club in the country, and we're not chasing that kind of reputation. What we care about is making sure every single person who comes through our gates gets something out of it. That might mean shaving three seconds off their 200 metres time. It might mean finding a group of people who genuinely care whether they turn up to training or not. For some of our older members, it's about staying active and keeping that competitive fire alive. For the kids, it's about discovering that they're capable of far more than they thought.
Our coaches are the backbone of everything we do. They're not just ticking boxes or following a rigid programme they pulled off the internet. Every session is planned with actual people in mind — their strengths, their weaknesses, their injuries, their goals. If someone's having an off day, we adjust. If someone's flying, we push them a bit further. It's simple stuff, really, but it works because it's built on trust and honest communication.
We split our athletes into groups based on event type and ability level, but there's never a sense of separation between them. Everyone trains together at least once a week, and that's where the real magic happens. Sprinters learn patience from distance runners, throwers pick up explosive technique from jumpers, and the juniors get to see what dedication looks like when they watch the seniors work. It's a proper club environment — loud, supportive, occasionally chaotic, and always moving forward.
The Junior Academy takes athletes from age eight upwards and focuses on fundamentals — movement, coordination, basic technique, and most importantly, having fun. The Senior Squad is where our competitive athletes train, whether they're chasing national qualifying standards or just trying to beat their mates in the weekly time trial. The Masters Group is for anyone over thirty-five who still wants to compete or simply stay in shape with people who understand the challenge of balancing training with real life. And the Throws Section runs alongside all of that, operating almost as its own mini-club with dedicated coaching for shot put, discus, javelin, and hammer.
Head Coach · Sprints & Hurdles
Distance & Endurance Coach
Jumps & Throws Lead
Junior Academy Director
Our home base is the Manchester Regional Arena, and if you've never been, you're missing out. It's the sort of facility that makes you want to train harder the moment you walk in. The track is in great condition, the stands look good even on an empty Tuesday, and there's a proper throw cage, sand pits, and hurdles that actually work. When the weather's not great — and let's be honest, this is Manchester, so that's most of the time — we move into the indoor hall and make do. It's not ideal, but it keeps things consistent, and consistency is what builds athletes.
We also use the surrounding areas for longer sessions. Heaton Park is a favourite for endurance work, and the canal towpaths provide a surprisingly scenic route for recovery runs. The city gives us everything we need to train properly, and we take full advantage of it.
This year is shaping up to be a big one. We're entering more meets than ever before, we've got athletes stepping up to new events, and the overall standard across the board is noticeably higher than last season. Our sprinters are faster, our throwers are hitting distances we haven't seen in years, and the junior group is producing performances that genuinely surprise even the coaches.
But none of that matters as much as the day-to-day culture we've built. The medals and the times are great, but the real measure of this club is how many people come back year after year because they love being here. That's the thing we're most proud of, and it's the thing we'll keep protecting no matter how big we grow.
If you're reading this and you're wondering whether you'd fit in — you will. Come to a session, bring your running shoes, and don't worry about being the slowest person on the track. You won't be for long. And even if you are, nobody here cares. We're just glad you showed up.