Have you ever wanted to complete your first half-marathon?  Or maybe run your first half in Canterbury?  Maybe your goal is to get a new PB?   We’ve got an excellent training programme to help you reach those goals!

Run Canterbury

Run Canterbury is an established group of UC Students, Staff and RecCentre members who share a passion for running or a goal to complete a half-marathon.    Sometimes it’s hard to know how much to run or how fast to run when preparing for an event you’ve never tried before!  We’re here to provide guidance and support to get you across the finish line at the Selwyn Half Marathon at King’s Birthday Weekend, 2nd June.

What does it involve?

• 2 pack runs each week (Tuesday & Thursday) where you set off together to complete the scheduled run for that day, at the pace required for your group
• Three programme levels – beginner, intermediate and advanced (and yes, you can change groups if you want to)
• Written programme detailing the other runs you’ll need to do for that week, for the programme you’re following
• Optional seminars on optimal recovery, race day nutrition and race day preparation and tips from those who’ve run many!
• Free advice – just ask your friendly and experienced pack leaders after your run every burning question about running you have.
• T-shirt for first timers

When does it begin?

• We start Monday 11th March 2024 and it goes for 14 weeks.
• It’s ok if you head home for the holidays, just follow your programme wherever you are (that’s the beauty of running)

How much does it cost?

• UC Staff/Students $100
• Everyone else $160

For all the information, head to our Run Canterbury Website.    You can register online via your client portal (link on the Run Canterbury page) then make payment on your next visit to the gym.

Ngā mihi
UC Rec&Sport | Te Ratonga Hākinakina

Are you ready to give the gym a go, but not sure where to start?  The RecCentre has a range of Discovery Sessions designed to help you get started at a slower and easier pace.

We are all beginners when we start

A cliche we know, but so true.  You don’t learn how to do something until you actually start. Making mistakes and asking questions are a natural part of life, and that’s true at the gym too.

Step 1- Get your membership sorted.
Step 2 – Get your Rec&Sport app sorted.
Step 3 – Book in for the Discovery Sessions of your choice – they’re all located in the classes section of the app.

What Discovery Sessions are there?

Discover the Gym – Includes a tour of the facility, learning the basics of using equipment and how to get the most out of the app features.

Discover Lifting – Learn the techniques of the basic lifts like squat, bench and deadlift.

Discover Group Fitness (Yoga, Spin and Skill X available Term 1)  
Slower paced, we take more time to ensure you have good form and understand the fundamentals, usually in shorter class length.

Our classes are popular, so our booking system is in place to help you plan your week.  Please take a few moments to show respect to others and cancel your booking in plenty of time if you can no longer make it, so that they can take your place.

We look forward to helping you start your health journey with us, whilst you study at UC.

Ngā mihi
UC Rec&Sport | Te Ratonga Hākinakina

Do you ever find yourself wanting to play a game of something, but then find you don’t have enough people who can play, all at the same time?   Without a social sport league, it’s like herding cats!   The RecCentre has some solutions for you! 

1. Try a drop-in session at the RecCentre 

These sessions are scheduled each week, and all you have to do is turn up.  If you’re the first to arrive, you can come to our reception and ask for the equipment you need, and get it started.  As people arrive, you’ll start to get enough to play. In Term 1, we have designated sessions for Futsal, Volleyball and Pickleball for anyone to join in. Bring a friend, or come alone and meet some new friends! 

2.  Shoot hoops and join a pickup game 

There’s a nice community of regular ballers down at the RecCentre, and you can often roll up and find yourself a pickup game with randoms.    

3. Enter a team in a social sport league or join UCASS 

If you want to play in a social sport league (We offer Netball, Basketball, Futsal and Volleyball), you can enter a team if you have one.    If you don’t have enough for a team every week, then consider joining the UC Amateur Sports Society.   UCASS are a fabulous lot, award winning even, who collaborate with us to run the social sport leagues, and they have a number of teams entered in every league we offer that they can probably slot you into. Chat to them at UC Clubs’ days this week. 

4.  Book a court and play with a friend 

Of course, if you have 1 friend you can rely on to have a go with you, you can always book a squash, badminton or pickleball court and have a bash.  All equipment is always free to borrow from reception, or you can bring your own. Court hire is free before 3pm daily, and after 3pm it’s not. You can book online (there’s a link in your app that will take you to the booking site), or you can just stop at reception to check availability and book there.    

Remember to keep moving for both your physical and mental health! Keep it fun, enjoyable and be consistent and you’ll be winning. 

Ngā mihi
UC Rec&Sport | Te Ratonga Hākinakina