MCR Activities
Melton City Runners members will benefit from a broad range of regular activities and special events, all led by our team of recreational running coaches. These activities will cater to people of all abilities, from experienced runners to those just starting. All our activities are based on our philosophy that you will not be left behind, no matter how slow.
Regular Weekly Activities
The core of MCR activities is our friendly, sometimes competitive, weekly runs. These runs occur over varying terrain, including rubber tracks, concrete, bitumen, and the varied surfaces encountered in our local national parks and state forests.
Tuesday Night Track
The Tuesday Night Track session is one of the core MCR training activities. The program aims to improve a runner's speed over any distance. These nights start with a group warmup and activation session, followed by a varied (but never dull) range of targeted running, and conclude with conversational cool-down laps.
The track session starts at 7 pm and is usually held at the Bridge Road Recreation Reserve, 82 Bridge Road, Melton South.
Wednesday Night Loops
Initially on a Tuesday, the now Wednesday Night Loops were where MCR (and Toolern Creek Parkrun) started. A group of friends going for a regular run together.
Today, with only minor changes, we still run these same 6km, 8km, and 10km loops that the founders did back in 2015. On the odd occasion, we will journey elsewhere for a change of scenery or even take on the "Rebel Loops", which visit other parts of Melton.
The Wednesday Night Loops start at 7 pm from the pedestrian crossing on High Street, Melton (opposite Hungry Jacks). Anyone is welcome to join in, and nobody is left to run alone. No one is too slow; this is a recovery from last night for most of us.
Thursday Morning Track
The latest edition to the weekly MCR training roster is the short, sharp Thursday Morning Track session. An excellent option for those who can't make Tuesday or those who can't get enough speed running in.
Like Tuesdays, the session varies every week. Unlike Tuesdays, the warmups, activations, and main session will always be complete within 60 minutes; more often, less.
The track session starts at 6 am and is held at the Bridge Road Recreation Reserve, 82 Bridge Road, Melton South.
Thursday Night Trails
A hugely popular night, even in winter, the Thursday Night Trails are a different running challenge from all the earlier activities.
These runs take in the wonders of the Lerderderg State Park, Wombat State Forest, and The Brisbane Ranges National Park, as a select few of the many places MCR visits.
These nights are usually a more extended run over undulating and technical terrain. A good fitness base is recommended before joining these group runs.
The Thursday Night Trails start at 7 pm, and the start location and other details are announced on our Facebook page during the week.
Saturday Morning parkrun
Toolern Creek parkrun is where you will usually find a large group of orange-striped MCR runners. This event is where many of our members started running and created new friendships along the way.
Toolern Creek Parkrun starts at 8 am Saturday at the Bridge Road Recreation Reserve, 82 Bridge Road, Melton South. Be there at 7:45 for the briefing, and don't forget your barcode!
Sunday Morning Trails
The Sunday Morning Trails explore similar areas to the Thursday Night Trails and are an excellent exclamation mark to a week of running.
These trails are often long runs over technical but beautiful terrain. The group often splits and regularly regroups, allowing less experienced runners and walkers to join in the fun.
The Sunday Trails start at 8 am, and the start location and other details are announced on our Facebook page during the week.
Other Events
The Melton City Runners committee and coaches regularly run other days during the year that are more socially focused. On the last Saturday of the month, we tour another parkrun. We often have BBQs (with running options) on significant public holidays. MCR also holds a few social gatherings during the year where running is only spoken about, not indulged.
You will also find MCR members racing and volunteering at events all over the country and even internationally.