Why Start a Couch Potato Run Club
Starting a Couch Potato Run Club chapter is an opportunity to create meaningful impact in your local community. CPRC exists to support people who have never seen themselves as runners - and local chapters are where that change happens. As a chapter lead, you’re not just organising sessions; you’re creating a space where people feel safe to start, supported as they grow, and proud of their progress.
By starting a CPRC club, you become part of a growing global movement while remaining deeply connected to your local community. You’ll deliver programmes that are proven, structured, and beginner-first, without needing to build everything from scratch. CPRC provides the framework, values, and support - allowing you to focus on people, connection, and consistency.
Running a CPRC club also offers personal and professional growth. You’ll develop leadership skills, community-building experience, and the ability to guide others through meaningful change. Most importantly, you’ll be part of moments that matter - first continuous runs, confidence breakthroughs, and the shift from “I could never” to “I did.”
If you care about inclusion, community, and long-term impact, starting a Couch Potato Run Club chapter gives you the opportunity to build something that truly matters - one run-walk, one person, and one community at a time.
Download our Start a Club Information Pack
Who This Is For
Starting a Couch Potato Run Club is for people who care deeply about inclusion, community, and creating positive experiences for beginners. It’s suited to individuals who are motivated by impact rather than ego, and who are willing to lead with empathy, consistency, and integrity.
This opportunity is ideal for:
Coaches or fitness professionals who enjoy working with beginners and returners rather than performance-focused athletes
Community-minded leaders who want to create inclusive, supportive spaces in their local area
Individuals passionate about accessibility in movement, regardless of pace, background, or experience
People who value consistency and structure over hype, trends, or quick wins
Those comfortable supporting mixed abilities within one group, without comparison or pressure
Leaders who prioritise people over ego, and impact over personal performance
Anyone motivated by meaningful change, helping others move from “I could never” to “I did”
This is not about building an elite or performance-focused running club. CPRC chapters are values-led, beginner-first spaces designed to support people at the very start of their running journey.
If you care more about people than pace, and about building something meaningful rather than flashy, this may be the right fit.
Who This Is Not For
Starting a Couch Potato Run Club comes with responsibility. It requires alignment with our values, a commitment to beginners, and a willingness to put people first. This opportunity won’t be the right fit for everyone - and that’s okay. Being clear about this helps protect the experience for the communities we serve.
This isn’t for you if:
You’re primarily focused on performance, pace, or competition rather than participation and confidence
You want to build an elite or fast-paced running group instead of a beginner-first community
You’re motivated by personal recognition or ego more than collective impact
You’re uncomfortable supporting slower runners or walk breaks within group sessions
You’re unwilling to follow a shared framework and values-led approach
You’re looking for a hands-off or short-term commitment rather than consistent leadership
You see this as a quick business opportunity rather than a long-term community investment
Couch Potato Run Club chapters exist to support people at the very beginning of their running journey. Protecting that experience matters - and alignment is essential.
What We Provide
When you start a Couch Potato Run Club chapter, you’re not starting from scratch. We provide the structure, guidance, and support needed to deliver a consistent, high-quality experience - while allowing you to build a meaningful community in your local area.
As a CPRC chapter lead, you’ll receive:
A proven beginner-first programme framework
Including our core Couch to 5K structure, session formats, and progression principles designed specifically for beginners and returners.
Clear coaching standards and values guidance
Ensuring every chapter delivers the same inclusive, supportive, and community-led experience that defines Couch Potato Run Club globally.
Training and onboarding support
Covering programme delivery, community management, and expectations, so you feel confident leading from day one.
Brand identity & positioning
Access to the Couch Potato Run Club brand, tone of voice, and messaging to ensure consistency and credibility across all locations.
Ongoing support & connection
Continued guidance, feedback, and access to a wider network of Couch Potato Run Club coaches and chapter leads as the community grows.
A scalable global framework
A model that allows you to remain locally led and community-focused, while benefiting from shared systems, standards, and collective growth.
Our role is to support you in building something sustainable, values-aligned, and impactful - so you can focus on what matters most: your people and your community.
What you're Responsible for
Starting and leading a Couch Potato Run Club chapter means taking ownership of the day-to-day experience in your local community. While CPRC provides the framework, support, and standards, the success of each chapter relies on consistent, values-led leadership at a local level.
As a CPRC chapter lead, you’re responsible for:
Delivering sessions locally
Leading or overseeing coached sessions in line with CPRC programme structures, ensuring safety, clarity, and a beginner-first experience.
Upholding CPRC values and culture
Protecting the inclusive, supportive, and non-intimidating environment that defines CPRC, both during sessions and in community interactions.
Building and managing your local community
Creating a welcoming space where participants feel connected, supported, and encouraged to show up consistently.
Ensuring local compliance and logistics
Managing venue access, permissions, insurance, and any local requirements necessary to operate responsibly in your area.
Maintaining clear communication
eeping participants informed about sessions, expectations, and changes, and communicating effectively with CPRC leadership when needed.
Committing to consistency and quality
Showing up reliably, following the agreed framework, and maintaining the standards that ensure a positive experience for every participant.
This balance of structure and ownership allows Couch Potato Run Club chapters to remain authentic and locally led - while delivering a consistent experience across the global network.
How the Global Model Works
Couch Potato Run Club operates on a locally led, globally aligned model. Each CPRC chapter is run by a local leader who understands their community, while following a shared global framework that protects the quality, culture, and values of the CPRC experience.
The global CPRC team provides the programme structure, coaching principles, brand standards, and ongoing guidance. Local chapters are responsible for delivering sessions, building community, and managing day-to-day operations in a way that reflects their local context. This ensures consistency in experience, while allowing flexibility in how each chapter shows up on the ground.
This model allows CPRC to grow without losing what makes it work. By combining local ownership with shared standards, we maintain a supportive, beginner-first experience across all locations - while empowering chapter leads to create meaningful impact within their own communities.
In short: CPRC sets the foundation and protects the culture; local chapters bring it to life.
Requirements & Expectations
To maintain the quality, consistency, and culture of Couch Potato Run Club, we ask all chapter leads to meet a set of core requirements and expectations. These ensure every CPRC community delivers a safe, supportive, and beginner-first experience.
To start and run a CPRC chapter, you’ll need:
Strong alignment with CPRC values
A genuine commitment to inclusivity, community, integrity, accountability, and growth in how you lead and operate your chapter.
A beginner-first mindset
Comfort working with complete beginners and returners, prioritising confidence, consistency, and participation over performance.
A minimum time commitment
Availability to lead or oversee sessions consistently across full programme cycles, ensuring stability and continuity for participants.
Leadership and reliability
The ability to take ownership of your local chapter, show up consistently, and create a dependable experience for your community.
Willingness to follow a shared framework
Commitment to delivering programmes in line with CPRC structures, coaching standards, and brand guidelines.
Local compliance and responsibility
Ability to meet local requirements such as insurance, safeguarding, venue permissions, and any relevant regulations in your country.
These expectations exist to protect both the CPRC community and the people who join it. In return, chapter leads are supported with structure, guidance, and a global network aligned around the same purpose.
Our Application Process
Submit Your Application
01
Complete the online application form, sharing your background, location, availability, and why you’re interested in starting a Couch Potato Run Club in your community.
Review & Alignment Check
02
Our team reviews your application to assess values alignment, beginner-first mindset, and suitability for leading a CPRC chapter in your chosen location.
Introductory Conversation
03
Shortlisted applicants are invited to a conversation with the CPRC team to discuss expectations, responsibilities, and ensure mutual fit before moving forward.
Onboarding & Chapter Launch
04
Successful applicants complete onboarding and receive the tools, guidance, and support needed to launch their CPRC chapter and begin delivering programmes locally.
We keep our chapter application process simple and intentional, ensuring strong alignment while making it easy to understand what comes next.