Beginners Courses
The next courses start on Saturday 14th March 2026
Please note the 8-week course for Beginners ends on Saturday 2nd May, which is Spring Bank Holiday weekend
Would you like to start running? Are you an absolute beginner? Or are you returning after injury or a long absence? Or do you have just a little running experience but wish to progress?
If you answered ‘yes’ to any of these questions then the Beginners course is the ideal course for you.
Or are you already confident at 5k, and want to progress?
If yes, then our 5k-5miles course will help you do that.
To sign up for the course please complete the steps at the bottom of this page but do please read the information below first if you have not done the course previously
You may already have heard about ‘couch to 5k’ programmes but the DPR beginners’ course beats them all.
Following a simple but proven approach, you discover the joy of running by developing a simple weekly routine, with the Beginners course sessions taking place at either 8.00am or 9.00am on eight consecutive Saturday mornings in Dulwich Park, starting on Saturday 14th March.
The 5k-5miles course follows a similar routine, starting at 10.00am on five consecutive Saturdays and is suitable for those who are already running. The course starts on Saturday 14th March – the same day as the 8-week course.
You are guided by expert coaches who provide advice, motivation and a simple and easily understandable schedule, and you are accompanied on the Saturday morning runs by a number of DPR members.
The courses are truly transformational. Over several years they have given new or returning runners the confidence to continue on their own, to join the club, or simply reach a point where the thought of running seems less daunting and more enjoyable.
Lots of our members completed these remarkable programmes and many comment not just on how they radically improved their fitness but also on how they formed new friendships, and met like-minded people with whom they can carry on running (and socialising). And some have even gone on to run a marathon.
Prices for the courses: £40 for the entire 8-week course. £25 for the 5 week course (5k to 5 miles)
If you are already a member of DPR and wish to do/repeat either course please complete the sign up form and submit but no need to make the payment.
Each Saturday morning session lasts between 1 to 1.5 hours. But don’t worry, you’re not running for all of this period! There is also a little ‘homework’ to be completed during each week in your own time.
The courses take place in and around Dulwich Park. Meet inside the Queen Mary Gate to the park on the south circular. (See a map here.)
If you’ve got any further questions, please feel free to email us at: beginners@dulwichparkrunners.com
The courses take place twice a year (Spring and Autumn)
How to sign up
Step 1: First we need you to submit your details by filling in the form at the bottom of the page. Submit the form and you will receive a confirmation message.
Step 2: Then proceed to payment: Select your course type and then select ”Check Out” to make the payment. You’ll know if you have done everything right if you receive a confirmation email from Dulwich Park Runners AND an email from PayPal confirming payment. Please allow a few minutes for the emails to come through