Kinisi Run Hub Visits Thornbury Running Club for a Saucony Demo Run
This Thursday, we headed north of Bristol to join Thornbury Running Club for their Thursday evening club run — bringing along four of Saucony’s latest road running shoes for members to try out on the run.
It was a brilliant evening of running, chatting and testing shoes, with members getting the chance to experience the differences between the Saucony Endorphin Pro 5, Endorphin Speed 5, Endorphin Azura and Hurricane 26.
For us at Kinisi Run Hub, getting out into the local running community is one of the best parts of what we do. There’s no better way to understand what runners are looking for than joining them for a run and having conversations about their training, racing and goals.
A Little About Thornbury Running Club
Thornbury Running Club has a long history in the local running community, the club prides itself on being friendly and welcoming to runners of all abilities. Its aim is to provide an environment where people can run for fun, fitness and competition, while also offering coaching and opportunities for those looking to improve.
Thursday is the club's main club night, with runners meeting at Thornbury Leisure Centre before heading out in groups. There are currently five different pace groups, ranging from around 7-minute miles through to 12-minute miles, alongside a walking group. The club also runs coached sessions on Tuesdays and longer social runs on Sunday mornings.
The club has a strong racing and competitive side, with members taking part in everything from 5k and parkrun through to marathons and ultras, as well as a strong cross-country team during the winter. Thornbury Running Club also organises three of its own races each year: the Riverbank Rollick, Thornbury 10k and Oldbury 10 Mile which Kinisi Run Hub are proud to support.
It was great to experience that mixture of abilities and running goals first-hand on Thursday night.
Trying the Saucony Endorphin Range
Before the run, we introduced the Saucony shoes we had brought along and explained what makes each model different.
Rather than simply talking about the technology, members could then take the shoes out on the road and experience the differences for themselves.
Saucony Endorphin Pro 5
The Endorphin Pro 5 is Saucony's high-performance carbon-plated racer, designed for runners looking to maximise speed and efficiency on race day.
With its responsive PWRRUN PB cushioning, carbon-fibre plate and SPEEDROLL™ geometry, the Pro 5 is built to create a fast, propulsive ride.
Saucony Endorphin Speed 5
The Endorphin Speed 5 sits slightly further towards the versatile end of the performance spectrum.
It combines a responsive PWRRUN PB midsole with Saucony's SPEEDROLL™ geometry, making it a great option for faster training sessions, intervals, tempo runs and racing.
The Speed 5 is particularly interesting for runners who want a shoe that can do a bit of everything — fast enough for race day but versatile enough to become a regular part of their training rotation.
Saucony Endorphin Azura
The Endorphin Azura offers a different take on the Endorphin family, focusing on a highly cushioned and energetic ride for everyday running.
It is designed to deliver plenty of comfort while still retaining the lively feel that runners expect from the Endorphin range.
Saucony Hurricane 26
Finally, we brought along the Saucony Hurricane 26, a highly cushioned stability shoe designed for runners who want plenty of protection and support for everyday training.
The Hurricane 26 provides a very different experience to the Endorphin Pro 5 and Speed 5, making it a great example of how different running shoes can be designed around different runners, training requirements and preferences.
Finding the Right Shoe for the Runner
One of the most interesting parts of an evening like this is seeing how differently the same shoes feel to different runners.
There isn't one shoe that is perfect for everyone, and that's something we see every day at Kinisi Run Hub.
Some runners are looking for maximum speed and propulsion. Others want cushioning and comfort for long training runs. Some need additional stability and support, while others prioritise a lightweight, responsive feel.
That's why we always encourage runners to try shoes on and, where possible, run in them before making a decision.
A demo run gives you the opportunity to experience how a shoe actually feels when you're moving rather than simply judging it from how it feels standing in the shop.
A Great Evening With Thornbury Running Club
It was fantastic to spend an evening with Thornbury Running Club and meet so many of its members.
The club's friendly and inclusive approach to running was clear from the moment we arrived, with runners of different ages, abilities and experience levels coming together for the Thursday night session.
We'd like to say a big thank you to everyone at Thornbury Running Club for having us along and for giving us the opportunity to share the Saucony range with your members.
We love getting out to local running clubs across Bristol and the surrounding area, and evenings like this are a great reminder of what makes the local running community so special.