August highlights

A few events to look out for in August

August will begin with a mid-week Silverfit aquathlon in Hyde Park on Wednesday 2 August, then on Friday 4 August, there's the monthly Ealing mile. The August club handicap is on Saturday 5 August. 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. Also on Saturday at least two Serpies will be taking part in the North Downs Way 100-mile; and there will be a social trail run of around 9 miles ,with option of adding extra hills, in the Tring Hills. The Regent's Park 10k, this month's on Sunday 6 August, is always a popular race with Serpies.

There will be a club committee meeting on Monday 7 August - if you would like to raise an issue or agenda item with a member of the committee prior to this, please contact us. Monday is also the date of the next Sri Chinmoy 5k in Battersea Park. 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 9 August.

On Saturday 12 August there'll be a chance to join other Serpies on a social trail run on the South Downs from Eastbourne to Seaford, distance about 13 miles. On the same day are the Pride Run 10k in Victoria Park and the Thames Meander Marathon. Sunday 13 August is the day of the Burnham Beeches half marathon and the Salisbury 5-4-3-2-1. The Midnight Man long and middle distance triathlons are over the weekend of 12 & 13 August.

There are more chances to get scores in for this season's virtual icosathlon at the Blackheath & Bromley open track & field meeting on Monday 14 August, then again at the Rosenheim League final on Wednesday 16 August, where both our men's and women's teams will be competing, after qualifying this season: contact the team captains if you would like to compete. Also on Wednesday, some of the current club committee will be at the Seymour Centre for a 'Meet the Committee' event, where anyone who's interested in finding out about what being on the committee entails can chat to them. For the sprinters amongst you, there's a Lee Valley open sprints meeting also on Wednesday.

The week ends with the final Southern Athletics League meeting of the summer on Saturday 19 August, which is Serpentine's home match at Battersea. The team captains will be happy to hear from anyone interested in finding out about taking part. As it's our home match, we need to provide lots of officials and helpers: contact races@serpentine.org.uk if you would like to find out what type of help is needed or to offer your help.

And to complete the Super Serpie weekend, our home Summer League event will be on Sunday 20 August in Battersea Park, with a 10k at 9.30am, followed by a tenderfoot run for 6-14 year olds, a fun run for under 6s, and finally the team relays. This family friendly event is open to everyone of all abilities, no need to register in advance. As we're hosting this event we need lots of volunteers (note that some of the helper roles are also compatible with running the 10k race). Most volunteers will be needed from 9 – 11.30am. Please contact Daisy if you can offer to help or to bring goodies.

As the club's AGM is fast approaching (do put 13 September in your diaries!) the last date for resolutions for the AGM to be received by the Honorary Secretary is Wednesday 23 August. The August Harbour Club Last Friday of the Month 5k will be on Friday 25 August.

The National Tri Relays in Nottingham will be on Saturday 26 August. Described as 'organised chaos' and 'possibly the most fun you can have' they're a highlight for many and a great addition to your season. Names will be added for Serpie teams until 31 July. On Sunday 27 August the Vets AC track & field championships will take place in Kingston, Surrey. August Bank Holiday Monday, 28 August, means the chance for a Monday triathlon at the Thames Turbo sprint tri.

The last club committee meeting before the club's AGM will be on Wednesday 30 August. Also on Wednesday is the last 2017 mid-week Silverfit aquathlon in Hyde Park, plus the start of the UTMB events in Chamonix, France. Wednesday is also the the last date for nominations for the Serpentine club committee to be received by the Honorary Secretary and the date of another Lee Valley open sprints meeting.

Looking forward to early September:

  • the Ealing mile will be on Friday 1 September;
  • the September handicap will be on Saturday 2 September;
  • a social trail run in the Eden Valley will be on Saturday 2 September;
  • the Southern Vets League track & field final (for which the Serpentine women have qualified) will be on Sunday 3 September;
  • the Maidenhead half marathon will be on Sunday 3 September;
  • the last Assembly League race of 2017 will be on Thursday 7 September.

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 5 August 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!

Rosenheim Final - Wednesday 16 August in Kingston-on-Thames

As our teams have 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

Southern Athletics League - Home Match Saturday 19 August at Battersea

Qualified track & field officials gain valuable points for our team by helping at our SAL matches. As this is our home match, we also need lots of willing but unqualified helpers as well. You may be raking a long jump pit, retrieving discuses or waving flags at relay changeovers. There will be people there to show you the ropes and you'll have a great day out. If you can help, please contact races@serpentine.org.uk

Summer League - Home Event Sunday 20 August in Battersea Park

As we're hosting this event we need lots of volunteers (note that some of the helper roles are also compatible with running the 10k race). Most volunteers will be needed from 9 – 11.30am. We also need to thank the other teams for the great spreads they have put on this season by providing baked goods and snacks. Please contact Daisy if you can offer to help or to bring goodies.

Harbour Club Last Friday of the Month 5k - on Friday 25 August 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: 30 July 2017

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