Wednesday Runs
There are two main groups: one doing a run of 4.3 miles (two parks) and one doing 7.2 miles (three parks). Additionally, there is often a group running 6 miles ("two-and-a-half-parks") and three or four other groups doing runs of 12 miles or more. The longer run routes vary week by week and are usually advertised on the e-group.
Our London Routes section describes most of the routes in detail.
Members only please
You should be a Serpentine member to run with us on a Wednesday evening. Non-members trying us for the first time should try to come on a Saturday run in the first instance, when it is less busy. Non-members turning up on a Wednesday will be allowed to run once, but must join the club before coming again.
Newcomers
If you are new to the club, we recommend that you start off with a two or three parks run and meet us at the Seymour Centre, rather than at Speakers' Corner. This will enable us to match you up with other people running the same distance and same pace as you.
Arrive at the Seymour Centre in good time to get changed and take your kit to the club room. You do not need to tell us in advance that you are coming, but we will try and look out for you specially if you do. If you do want to get in touch before you come along, please contact us at clubruns@serpentine.org.uk.
The runners organising the Wednesday runs and other club events (indeed everything to do with the Serpentine Running Club) are volunteers with work and family commitments outside the club, so if you've enjoyed the experience please let them know, and if things aren't going smoothly please comment or ask how you can help.
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| Leaving the Seymour... |
... and back they all come. |
Timetable of runs
Long runs leave the Seymour Centre at 6.40pm
A number of long runs calibrated for various pace and mileage requirements take place on Wednesday evenings. The details vary from week to week but usually include:
- A Tower Bridge group (12 miles) and a Millenium Bridge group (9 miles). Meet on the balcony above the club room.
- Several groups running to Hampstead (in summer) or one of the numerous routes along the Thames or towards Battersea (all year round) with Stephen, Lars II, Malcolm, and others. These groups meet at the top of the stairwell above the club room or downstairs outside the clubroom. Please check the noticeboard outside the clubroom for details.
The details of many of the runs are listed in our London Routes section. Routes chosen each week (with a specified pace and distance) are normally advertised on the egroup, but if in dobut please contact us via clubruns@serpentine.org.uk . Long runs take generally about 1:30 but in some cases up to two hours, which allows time to stretch afterwards before the club room closes.
Note that the club room will close at 9.00pm most weeks so make sure you are back in time to collect your bags.
Three Parks leave from Speakers' Corner at 7.00pm
Those people running the three parks route (7.2 miles) should make their way directly to Speakers' Corner after changing and dropping their belongings in the club room, arriving there ready to run by 7.00pm (it is approx. half a mile or 800m to Speakers' Corner, allow 5–10 minutes). Runners will then be organised into rough pace groups, given a quick safety briefing, and set off promptly. Those who have not run on a Wednesday before should meet that evening's 3 park leader on the upstairs balcony by 6.50pm, and they will escort you down to Speakers' Corner.
Newcomers to meet on the balcony by 6.50pm
After dropping your belongings in the club room, all newcomers should go directly up 2 floors from the club room and meet on the upstairs balcony by 6.50pm, where you will be gathered for a brief introduction (usually by Sid) and will then head off to Speakers' Corner.
Two Parks leave the Seymour Centre at 7.00pm
After dropping your belongings in the club room, those runners doing the 2 parks route (4.3 miles) should go directly up 2 floors from the club room and meet on the upstairs balcony. At 7.00pm everyone will move downstairs to the table tennis lobby for a briefing, and will then head off to Speakers' Corner. No runners should congregate in the lobby before 7.00pm, nor should they gather in other areas of the Seymour, particularly not the front entrance.
Two-and-a-half Parks leave the Seymour Centre at 6.40pm
After dropping your belongings in the club room, those runners doing the 2.5 parks route (approx 6 miles) should go directly up 2 floors from the club room and meet on the upstairs balcony. At 6.40pm the group will set off from the Seymour Centre. The 2.5 Parks route is perfect for runners who are looking at moving up from 2 to 3 Parks, but want to bridge the gap.
Guides
For each of the parks routes, there are several groups who will go round at different paces. At Speaker's Corner we will match you up with a group running your distance at your pace and we aim to start the runners in groups according to their speed (faster runners first). We advise runners to stay together in pace groups for safety and security – and it's just a lot more fun. If your own pace is slower than the group you are with, there is usually a slower group just behind you. All you need do is wait or cut your pace and allow the next group to catch up.
On dark evenings, some of those running (who know the way) will wear florescent vests in different colours, according to which route they are running (see below).
Two Parks
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Three Parks
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In the winter months (late October to early April) the runs happen in darkness and since they all cross some roads, we advise everyone to wear bright and reflective colours. For your own safety, please do not run on your own in the dark.
"Digital Data © Geoinformation Group (2005)"
After the run
Many Serpies go to one of the local pubs after the runs to re-hydrate and get a bite to eat. On the last Wednesday of every month we hold a "cheese and wine" party in the club room at the Seymour Centre so that new runners can socialise with others – a good chance to meet other Serpies in a quieter environment!