Yes, absolutely. All Gracefull Running staff and coaches hold enhanced DBS checks. Additionally, all venue staff at Mount Cook Adventure Centre are fully DBS-vetted. We operate under comprehensive safeguarding policies, risk assessments, and emergency protocols to ensure a safe, secure environment at all times.

🔗 Click here to view our policies and protocols

Our camps are primarily designed for secondary school athletes aged 11–16 (Years 7 to 11). This ensures training intensity, workshops, and social dynamics are perfectly tailored to young runners.

Note for Older Athletes (16–18): We do occasionally welcome older teens looking for structured camp preparation. To ensure full safeguarding compliance, 16+ athletes are allocated separate, dedicated rooming arrangements and may be required to pay for a room upgrade as such (£150-£250).

Yes, you are very welcome! We love having supportive parents and coaches join us.

• Accompanying Athlete Package: Receive 1/3 off the camp price when attending alongside a full-paying athlete.
• Flexible Options: You can choose full board with us, or arrange your own nearby accommodation and food while attending the daytime sessions for free (or paying a £10 per meal to join us on-site).

A group camp is a collaborative ecosystem! While we deeply respect every athlete’s home training schedule, it isn't possible to run numerous individual training plans simultaneously.

• Adaptability is an Elite Trait: Learning to adapt to different group sessions, conditions, and schedules is a vital skill for high-level athletes.
• Trust the Structure: Our volume, intensity, and workshops are meticulously designed by world-class coaches to give athletes a safe, balanced, and highly effective training stimulus for their age and stage.
• Work With Us: If your home coach has a strict, non-negotiable target (e.g., a pre-race taper or mileage cap), simply let Becky know on Day 1. We will endeavour to adapt sessions within the group.
• Performance level: We welcome and cater to a range of abilities—from inexperienced club athletes to high-level competitors. However, to get the absolute most out of the training volume and sessions, we recommend athletes have at least one season of competitive running experience under their belt.

We stay at the secure, eco-friendly Mount Cook Adventure Centre in Derbyshire.

• Dormitories: Athletes stay in comfortable, secure shared dorms (typically up to 5 people). Room allocations are carefully managed, and you can submit roommate requests in advance.
• Upgrades: It is possible to upgrade to a single (£250) or double room (£150) subject to availability
• Site Security: Mount Cook is a gated, purpose-built outdoor centre with 24/7 staff coverage and restricted public access, making it exceptionally safe for young people.

Yes, 100%! Full board catering is served in the main dining hall, with options for all dietary needs including gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, halal, and allergen-specific diets (just let us know during booking).

• Breakfast: Hot cooked breakfasts (sausages, eggs, hash browns, beans) alongside cereals, fruit, yogurt, croissants, and toast.
• Lunch: Hot meals like pasta bakes, jacket potatoes with toppings, or fresh filled rolls.
• Dinner: Hearty, high-energy athlete favorites such as homemade pizza, fish & chips, pasta bolognese, or Cumberland sausages, complete with hot desserts.

Yes! In the email you receive post-deposit payment there is a form to complete where you can choose to pay in full or split your balance into 3 manageable monthly installments (plus a small additional platform fee). .

We schedule a few hours of downtime every afternoon! Athletes can relax in the indoor communal spaces to play board games, play the piano, or hang out with new friends. When the weather is nice, they can head outside for group games (hide and seek was a camp favorite last year!) or quiet study/homework time if needed.

If you get injured before or during the camp, there are still loads of non-running activities you can enjoy, so don't throw the towel in! If you decide not to come, as the cancellation policy at the venue is very strict, our terms and conditions have to reflect this.

We make every single athlete feel welcomed, included, and cared for from the second they step foot on camp. Our team is trained to support young people through occasional homesickness. If an athlete does decide they wish to head home early, you are free to collect them; however, please note that camp fees are non-refundable once the camp has commenced.