January highlights
A few of the events to look out for in January
There are some changes to the regular Serpie training sessions at the start of January, which are listed on the online timetable.
The first day of any new year wouldn't be the same without the Start Fitness Serpentine New Year's Day 10k. Lots of you have already signed up to help on Monday 1 January, but more are welcome to ensure we can make this race a great success for all – if your plans have changed and you can now help on the day, please come along to Hyde Park on Sunday morning and we'll find a role for you.
For Serpies who would like to find out more about off-road running, on Friday 5 January we will be hosting a special trail and fell talk with James Edgar, Harold Wyber and Matt Hearne, who have a wealth of trail, fell and mountain running experience between them. They'll be describing one of their favourite races each, complete with photos on a big screen. The talk is open to all Serpies, however, there is limited space, so please contact Samantha Day at participation@serpentine.org.uk if you would like to attend.
The first club handicap of 2018 will be on Saturday 6 January in Hyde Park. If you haven't run the handicap before, all standards are welcome and there's no need to enter in advance – you can read all about the race here and if you're not planning to run but can offer to help, please email the handicap team. On the same day, for those Serpies who have already pre-entered, are the county cross country championships for Kent and Middlesex; and also the SEAA U15/U17 indoor track and field championships, which continue on Sunday 7 January. Also on Sunday are the Surrey county cross country championships and a Regent's Park 10k.
Serpie entries for the National cross country championships will close on Monday 8 January – see details of how to enter. The first new members' evening of the year will be at the Seymour Centre on Wednesday 10 January, where new Serpies are invited to find out what the club can offer them and how to get involved.
The fourth Start Fitness Metropolitan cross country league meeting of the season is on Saturday 13 January at Wormwood Scrubs. There's no need to enter in advance and we hope to have a big Serpie turnout, with our men and women both in strong positions in the league standings and an ever-growing junior turnout. The Country to Capital, which usually attracts a few Serpie runners, will also be on Saturday, as is the first of the 2-day SEAA U20/senior indoor track and field championships.
Sunday 14 January offers another enter-on-the day cross country event: the Sunday League cross country over an excellent and varied course in Cassiobury Park, Watford – all Serpies are welcome, no matter what standard.
30 Serpies completed the 2017 Box Hill Fell Race, and there are bound to be a good number running this year's race, which is on Saturday 20 January. Also on Saturday is the first of the 2-day London Indoor Games for junior athletes, which take place at Lee Valley Athletics Centre (U17 on Sat, U13 & U15 on Sun). On Sunday 21 January the Fred Hughes 10 mile in St Albans is the first club road championship of 2018. On the same day, a few hardy Serpie souls will be taking part in the LDWA-organised Winter Tanners. Also on Sunday Alan Hall will lead a social trail run of around 12 miles around Berkhamsted.
The first Harbour Club Last Friday of the Month 5k of 2018 will be on Friday 26 January.
On Saturday 27 January it'll be time to get (very) muddy for those Serpies who pre-entered the South of England cross country championships (the Southerns) in Brighton. On Saturday 27 & Sunday 28 January, at the warmer and drier venue of Lee Valley Athletics Centre, are the London Indoor Games for senior athletes at Lee Valley.
Looking forward to early February
- the club handicap will be on Saturday 3 February in Hyde Park
- The hilly Watford half marathon will be on Sunday 4 February
There's more information about lots of these events on the Serpie events planner.
Opportunities to help
If you would like to help the club, volunteers are needed at the following events this month:
Start Fitness New Year's Day 10k & 3k - Monday 1 January 2018 in Hyde Park
We will have around 650 runners at the New Year's Day 10k and 3k and to put a great event on for them, we need lots of you to help. Many of you have already signed up to help, but more are welcome to ensure we can make this race a great success for all – if your plans have changed and you can now help on the day, please come along to Hyde Park on Monday morning and we'll find a role for you.
Handicap - Saturday 6 January in Hyde Park
If you want to volunteer and share the unique experience of an early morning in Hyde Park please email handicapper@serpentine.org.uk. You'll need to be at the Boathouse at 8:30am, you'll have fun and get a thank-you cup of coffee and the temporary loan of a fluorescent bib!
Harbour Club Last Friday of the Month 5k - Friday 26 January in Hyde Park
Help is needed with course marshalling, in the finish area and to keep an eye on the runners' bags. If you can help out, please either email lfotm5k@serpentine.org.uk or add your name to the Serpie Planner.
Best wishes,
Eda Korkmaz
communications@serpentine.org.uk
Submitted: 30 December 2017