Best Athletics UK Training Camp 2024

Day 1 | Wednesday 11th 

The day finally arrived for a group of us to all head down to the Jurassic Coast of Dorset in Poole for a 5 day training camp! 

Our annual UK training camp is one of the best ways to round up a smashing summer of running as well as prepare those training for Autumn/winter races including Berlin, Chicago, Frankfurt and Amsterdam. 

Training camp is all about getting some of our Best Athletics members from the club together to explore a beautiful destination, make memories, make friends and of course to do what we all love to do… Running! 

The sun was shining super bright on the journey down to Dorset and we knew it was going to be an epic 5 days of training with the best company surrounded by fresh country air and nature! 

After we all checked in to our Airbnb’s we met up together for our first run of the camp! 

A nice and easy shakeout run adventuring down to the Canford Cliffs Beach - soaking up the fresh air of Dorset! It was such a nice way to stretch out those legs after the journey down and prepared us for all the sessions to come. 

Boom! The Best Athletics Campers had arrived!

After our easy shakeout we all headed for a big supermarket shop to fuel us for the 5 days ahead!

Alongside our fuel packs from Science in Sports (featuring the Beta Fuel gels, Protein bars, hydro tablets and energy bars) and Egmont Manuka Honey! 

A quick dinner back at our houses and an early night banking those zzzs ready for the first session of camp!

Day 2 | Thursday 12th 

Thursday morning means one thing… Tempo Thursday! 

Bringing a Kenyan Fartlek down to the Boating Lake of Poole! Following a nice steady warm up we went into 8-10 reps of 2 

minute efforts followed by a 1 minute float lead by Coach Nick Bester - a super session inspired by the world’s greatest in Iten, the Home of Champions! 

A post run group coffee at the houses and time for brekkie number 2! 

The afternoon involved a mix of beach trips, gym sessions and a pool swim down at the leisure centre! 

Day 3 | Friday 13th 

Friday the 13th… 

FriYays plan was to catch the ferry over to Studland for a trail loop on the Jurassic Coast. Little did we know that the ferry was out of action that morning and we had no way of getting across to the other side… 

Do we swim?

Catch the bus?

Run? 

After a photoshoot in the new adidas Adizero black camp tops we made a plan of action!

We jumped on the bus to make our way back to accommodation to drive on over to Knoll’s Beach for a gorgeous trail run - Sand, trail, hills, road and plenty of vitamin D! Some of us finished off the run with a natural ice bath in the sea - The best way to freshen up the legs ready for the big session on Saturday Morning! 

The evening consisted of a Mexican Fiesta of Fajitas!

Day 4 | Saturday 14th 

Saturday’s session was a classic marathon prep session, consisting of 5km reps perfect for those with the Autumn marathons just around the corner. 

We had 2-3 reps of 5 km with our last 5 km rep being the Poole Parkrun - A flat and fast course (3rd fastest Parkrun in the UK) with around 700 runners coming down to the Boating Lake on a Saturday morning at 9am! 

With our brand new adidas kit we certainly stood out in the crowds!

Nick Bester, following an all out 5km the previous day, came in 2nd place and I was super happy to come as first lady with a new PB! Top quality sessions from all the team! 

We all finished off one great morning with coffee and brunch over at the Coast, Surf + Moto joined by another Best Athletics member local to the area! 

Smoothie bowls, milkshakes, bircher bowls and avo toasts to refuel the bodies!

The group then adventured down to Branksome Beach for a spot of sunbathing, relaxing, ice cream (or hot drinks!) and sea dips! 

Our last team dinner together consisted of the remains of all of our fridges followed by Fresh Peppermint tea, coffees and chickpea cookies (baked by myself and Harriet)! 

Day 5 | Sunday 15th 

Our final run of camp - A nice and easy Sunday morning run around the coast of Poole. 

After sourcing out a strava segment the night before - ‘Walking on Water’.

Owain, Alex, myself and Mary all lined up ready to claim that CR crown going for the top 3 leaderboard and a local legend!

What an incredible wholesome 5 days, connecting with one another, enjoying the sport we love and sharing memories and forever lasting friendship! Everyone took away something super positive from the camp fueling our spark and love for running - Thank you to everyone that came! 

We cannot wait for the next Best Athletics Training Camps to come in 2025!

Keep your eyes peeled for the locations of next year camps! 

Onwards and Upwards,

Nick and Amie 💙

P.s If you’d like to be part of one of the best running clubs and community head over to https://www.bestathletics.co.uk/join-the-club to join the team and for more information about what is included in your Best Athletics Membership including discounted rates to our annual training camps!