September highlights

A few of the events to look out for in September

The month will begin with the Ealing mile on Friday 1 September. The September club handicap is on Saturday 2 September. All standards are welcome and there's no need to enter in advance. If you haven't run a club handicap before, 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.

The Serpentine women have qualified for the Southern Vets League track & field final, which will be on Sunday 3 September in Ashford. If you are a track or field official and can help out on the day, please contact Ian Hodge. Also on Sunday are the Ladywell 10,000m, with a number of Serpies running, the Maidenhead half marathon and the Splash & Dash aquathlon.

Despite the fact that September is upon us, there are still a few open track and field meetings coming up, the first being a Woodford Green & Essex Ladies open meeting on Tuesday 5 September. The last Assembly League race of 2017 will be on Thursday 7 September in Beckenham – all Serpies are welcome and there is no need to register in advance.

On Saturday 9 September, it's the annual Serpentine biathlon in Hyde Park, which is a 2 mile run followed by a 880 yard non-wetsuit swim in the Serpentine. It's free to enter, just turn up by 7.30am ready to race at 8am– any questions should be sent to triathlon@serpentine.org.uk. On the same day, there's sure to be a few Serpie triathletes taking on the popular Vitruvian Middle Distance triathlon.

Our juniors have the chance to take part in the Middlesex Young Athletes Road Relays on Sunday 10 September any interested juniors should talk to the coaches at a training session. Sunday is a busy day for events, with the Great North Run, Farnham Pilgrims Way half marathon and Clash of the Tritons aqauthlon. There's also the next chance to join a Serpie social trail run, this one is a 14-mile circular route in the Upper Gade Valley, from Hemel Hempstead.

The club's Annual General Meeting will be on Wednesday 13 September in the El Alamein/Trafalgar Suite at the Victory Services Club, 63/79 Seymour Street, London W2 2HF. The meeting will begin at 8pm. Note that the club runs will start early and the bag room will be closed early to enable everyone to get to the AGM in good time. We hope that plenty of you will come along to have your say in the future of our club. Also on Wednesday are the Vet's AC 10,000m championships, a Highgate Harriers open track and field meeting and a Lee Valley sprints meeting.

The Round Norfolk Relay is over the weekend of Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 September. There are still places available on the team, drivers are still needed, plus last minute 'drop outs' are always a possibility, so if you are interested, you can read more here or contact the Serpie team organisers at roundnorfolk@serpentine.org.uk to find out more or sign up. Over the same weekend there'll be a group of Serpies running the Isle of Wight fell races, which is always a great weekend of running. The ITU World Olympic distance triathlon championships are on Saturday 16 Septmeber, and for those staying in London over the weekend, Sunday 17 September has the Harrow half marathon and the Richmond Festival of Running.

Thre's a last season chance for track and field athletes at the Biggeleswade AC open meeting on Saturday 23 September. Our team captains are still recruiting runners for the women's, men's and vets' teams at the SEAA 4 & 6-stage road relays on Sunday 23 September – you can read more here. Sunday also sees the start of autumn marathon season with the Berlin marathon plus the Ealing half marathon on the same day is bound to have a lots of Serpies running.

The September Harbour Club Last Friday of the Month 5k will be on Friday 29 September.

Looking forward to early October:

  • the club championship 10k is on Sunday 1 October, as part of the Middlesex & Open 10k in Victoria Park. Hosted by VPH&THAC, the race is open to all and incorporates the Middlesex County 10k Championship.
  • the first meeting of the new club committee will be on Monday 2 October.
  • new club members have the opportunity to meet other club members and find out about what Serpentine offers at the new members' evening at the Seymour Centre on Wednesday 4 October.
  • the National 4 & 6-stage Road Relays, which we hope we qualify for, will be on Saturday 7 October.
  • the October club handicap will be on Saturday 7 October. 

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:

Handicap - Saturday 2 September 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!

Southern Vets T&F final - Sunday 3 September in Ashford

As our women's team has qualified for the finals, qualified track & field officials are needed for this event, plus willing but unqualified helpers are welcome. If you can help, please contact athletics@serpentine.org.uk.

Club AGM - Wednesday 13 September at Victory Services Club

Come along and have a say in the running of your club in the El Alamein/Trafalgar Suite at the Victory Services Club, 63/79 Seymour Street, London W2 2HF. The meeting will begin at 8pm.

Round Norfolk Relay - Saturday and Sunday 16 & 17 September

There are still places available on the team, drivers are still needed, plus last minute 'drop outs' are always a possibility, so if you are interested, you can read more here or contact the Serpie team organisers at roundnorfolk@serpentine.org.uk to find out more or sign up.

Harbour Club Last Friday of the Month 5k - Friday 29 September 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.

Sally Hodge
communications@serpentine.org.uk

Submitted: 31 August 2017

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