Around the Serpentine – July 2024

Welcome back to Around the Serpentine! June saw a definite change in the weather, and July looks to be more of the same, giving you every reason to get out to that training session you’ve been putting off.

With the Summer League well underway, huge turnouts for the Southern Athletics League, and the Rosenheim League, there is plenty to look forward to in July. We also saw the draw from the London Marathon Ballot, for anyone who missed out this time, you can enter the club ballot, your chances of success would be greatly increased by volunteering, fortunately, we’ve got lots for you to get your teeth into next month!

Outside of the athletics, the end of June saw our AGM take place. A brilliant event that allowed us to share the best bits of the year and look forward to what’s to come. But now, let’s get into the detail, what does July have to offer?

July, at a Glance

Wednesday, July 3rd

  • Wimbledon Trail Series – Wimbledon Common

Thursday, July 4th

  • Assembly League – Sutcliffe Park

Saturday, July 6th

  • Serpentine Handicap – Hyde Park

Wednesday, July 10th

  • Southern Counties Vets AC League – Perivale Park

Saturday, July 13th

  • Race To The Stones 100k – The Ridgeway

Sunday, July 14th

  • Summer League – Dulwich Park
  • Southern Athletics League – Lee Valley, Enfield

Tuesday, July 16th

  • Vets AC 5km – Battersea Park

Wednesday, July 17th

  • Rosenheim League – Tooting Bec

Sunday, July 21st

  • Eton Dorney Sprint Tri

Tuesday, July 23rd

  • Club Championship 3000m – Paddington Rec.

Friday, July 26th

  • Last Friday 5k – Hyde Park

Saturday, July 27th

  • Club Championship 1k – Hyde Park

Sunday, July 28th

  • T100 Triathlon – London Docklands

Tuesday, July 30th

  • Club Championship 1 mile – Paddington Rec.

Running

Wimbledon Trail Series – July 3rd

This 8-mile trail run around Wimbledon Common is a great way to make the most of the weather. This run kicks off at 19:00, and should allow you to make the most of a warm evening before heading out to see what Wimbledon has to offer!

Assembly League – July 4th

How can you follow up on Crystal Palace last month? With Sutcliffe on the 4th of course. This 5k race is an opportunity to represent the club in a competitive capacity, but all abilities are welcome. With a 19:30 start, going after work is more than doable, the 20:30 finish will likely be followed by an opportunity to enjoy the evening with fellow Serpies. Make sure you arrive in club colours.

Handicap – July 6th

Another weekend, another Handicap. Come one come all to Hyde Park, our home, and attempt to improve on last months’ time – you went, didn’t you?! Remember your bibs if you have them, and club colours is a must for this event. The 9:00 start will be followed by a trip for a coffee, other drinks are also available.

Club Champs 5k – Sri Chinmoy 5k – July 9th

Unfortunately, entries are now closed for this 5k run around Battersea Park, which also counts towards Club Champs! A reminder for those who have signed up – the race starts at 19:00 sharp and club colours are a must.

Race To The Stone – July 13th

A personal favourite of mine, the race to the stones is a 100k endurance event that offers an opportunity to run the Ridgeway. Entries are still open for this event, and Serpies look to tackle this one every year. If you’re interested, follow this link to learn more!

Summer League – July 14th

Make your way to Dulwich Park for a 09:30 am start if you fancy an 8km run, another opportunity to represent Serpentine! There’s only one way it can live up to the success of Perivale last month, if YOU, yes you, turn up. Club colours are again a must, and I’m sure the 12:30 finish will allow for a bit of an explore in the Sunday mid-afternoon.

Strong showing by the Serpies in the first fixture of the Summer League in Harrow in mid June

Vets AC 5k – July 16th

Another one for our vets, the Veterans Athletic Club will be hosting this 5-kilometre road run at 19:00 on Tuesday, July 16th. This is a brilliant event, for all ability levels, and offers a chance to visit Battersea Park, my FAVOURITE park in London!

Trail run – Seven Sisters – July 21st

This month we will be heading to the South Coast for our monthly trail run. Roughly a half marathon distance, but you can do a shorter run as well.  And we always end up in the pub! Save the date now, and look out for further information for it in the next few days.

Club Championship 3000m – July 23rd

Paddington Rec will play host to the Club Championship 3k. For all those who have been training themselves up at the Rec, this is your moment to shine! Members should turn up in club colours for what promises to be a brilliant competition, starting at 19:30. All abilities welcome as participants will be put in heats with others running similar times. Support is always welcome as well!

Club Champs 3k in 2023 at Paddington Rec – all are welcome!

Last Friday 5k – Hyde Park

Always a popular one, the last Friday 5k offers the opportunity to come and run Around the Serpentine. Turning up during your lunch hour is becoming the norm, I can’t think of a better way to shake off before the weekend. Make sure to arrive in club colours for a 12:30 start. Advanced entry is required, so keep an eye on those inboxes…

Club Championship 1k – July 27th and  Club Champs 1 mile – July 30th

This is a great opportunity to get involved in some Club Champs! Hyde Park will play host to this speed-based event. It will be followed, a mere 3 days later, by the 1 mile event, which will be at Paddington Rec.

Track and Field

Southern Counties Vets AC League – July 10th

Our Vets really strutted their stuff in last month’s double header of Hillingdon and Tooting Bec. Sadly, or perhaps not, there is only the one to look forward to in July, a trip to Perivale Park. A 18:30 meet with a finish around 21:00, this is a great opportunity to build on the successes we had last month! Again, anyone interested should look to wear their club colours when attending.

Southern Athletics League – July 14th

July’s iteration of SAL is only a short tube (or bus) ride north of June’s venue in Camden. Lee Valley, Enfield offers any track and field fanatics, or beginners, the opportunity to make the most of this Sunday afternoon, with an 11:30 start and a 16:30 finish. T&F is such a large part of what we do at Serpentine, if you fancy getting involved, make sure to get in touch, and come in club colours.

Rosenheim League – July 17th

Calling all ‘Rosenheimers’, or potential inductees, take a break from the Wednesday Club Runs, and come on down to Tooting Bec for July’s Rosenheim League meet. Another opportunity to take on some track and field. We had a great turnout last time around, and it’d be brilliant to add yet more talented individuals to our roster.

Triathlon

Eton Dorney Sprint Tri – July 21st  

Come over to Eton Dorney for our next sprint distance triathlon race in the Serpie Multi-sport Summer League!  All details including how to enter can be found here.

T100 Triathlon – Docklands – July 28th

Want to take part in a race with everyone including elite racers?  Look no further than the London stage of the T100 race. You can enter the Olympic distance or Sprint, either individually or as a team.  Serpentine are giving a £50 subsidy to either Sprint or Olympic relay teams for the first 10 teams to enter, if you’re interested please contact Ham at triathlon@serpentine.org.uk for details.

Any questions, please feel free to contact Hans.

Jonah Marsh

Serpie Comms