Coaches qualify through the England Athletics coaching pathway. (Full  information here)

The most important qualifications for a running club are:
Leadership in Running Fitness - entry level qualification - 1 day course. (£90)
Coach in Running Fitness -  4 contact days + development programme. (£365)

The club is usually prepared to pay half the cost of a  course provided that the coach then uses their qualification for the benefit of the club. The committee makes the final decision on this.

Who should go on this course? 
If you have an interest in running for  fitness and you’d like to lead a group, then  this is the course for you.  How many days will it take?  One day, with no assessment.  
What will I learn?
The course will focus on the safe  organisation of achievable and progressive  running activity and how to lead a group  of runners of varying ability.  Topics covered include:  The barriers that stop people from  taking up running, and how a leader  can make a difference for them.  How to plan sessions and deliver a safe  and fun warm up and a cool down.  Demonstration and supervision of  effective stretching  The different types of activity that can  make running varied and enjoyable.  Helping runners to set and achieve  SMARTER goals.  
What will I be able to do?  
The course is designed to prepare you to  provide a safe and enjoyable running  experience for young people over 12 years  of age and adults of any ability, size or  shape. You may lead a group for your club  and register with the Run England to  deliver to new runners. Your qualification  will provide you with insurance to lead a  group within the limits of the  course content. Leadership  in Running Fitness will  be accepted as a  prerequisite course for  the Running Coach  qualification.  

Who should go on this course? 
Coaches who are 18 or over and primarily working  with runners up to and including event group  development stage*. Applicants must be active leaders  or coaches who have completed as a minimum a Level  1, Fitness in Running & Walking, LiRF or Coaching  Assistant qualifications. CiRF has a broad application  to non track based endurance running rather than  specific events or distances. It is not designed for  coaches working primarily with track-based runners. 
How many days will it take?  
There are four contact days, but the course should be  viewed as a development programme and you will be  required to engage in pre-course work, supported  practice and assessment preparation as well.  
What will I learn?
How to apply the fundamental principles of running  over a series of sessions to help technically develop  groups of athletes and how to coach endurance  running on a variety of surfaces. Topics covered include:  Fundamental running skills and drills  Skill development  Energy systems and endurance running  Physical preparation & Nutrition  Injury prevention and management  Flexibility  Factors influencing performance  Elements of planning and delivery  The core coaching skills  Integrated coaching  Athlete Development & Profiling  
What will I be able to do?  
Plan a progressive training programme  to help runners towards their specific  goals. When qualified you will be  insured to coach without  supervision, working with support  from Coaching Assistants and  Leaders in Running Fitness.

*(from Viv Matthews who devised the course) Within the CiRF programme we cover the progression of runners/athletes from beginners through to competing/experienced runners. This is carried out by use of the Athlete Development Model (ADM). The varying stages  of this model takes the runner through the early stages of development through to competing in events, this could range from 1 mile, 5k,  10k, Marathon etc therefore making it Event Group Stage. There are further stages for event specialisation and high performance linked to the more advanced athlete.

• Course Dates: 11.Feb.12 to 12.Feb.12
• Location: Tavistock College, Crowndale Road, Tavistock, Devon
• Cost: £365
• Course Code: MC0400
• Booking Deadline: 30.Jan.12

England Athletics affiliated club member cost: £325

This course also has a third training day plus an assessment day. Please check you are able to attend on the dates given for these before booking.

This endurance running qualification primarily for those working with runners up to and including the event group development stage. All applicants must be active leaders or coaches who have completed as a minimum a Level 1, Fitness in Running & Walking, LiRF or Coaching Assistant qualification. CiRF is about the broad application to non track based endurance running events rather than specific events or distances and is not designed for coaches who want to work with runners taking part in track based events such as 800m–10k track races or steeplechase. When qualified you will be insured to coach without supervision