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Weekly Serpie round-up

Hercules 3000m Festival, 1 August

At the inaugural Hercules Wimbledon 3000m night on 1 August, there were PBs for Andy Greenleaf, Rick Weston and Xavier Gruot with Patrick Thielemans coming close. There were 77 PBs in a series of highly competitive races in what looks like a welcome addition to the track racing calendar. (Serpie results) (Report: Tom Poynton)

Southern Counties Vets AC League, 1 August

I am delighted to report that the Serpie Ladies Vets team won their final match of the SCVAC league at Perivale; having won all four matches this season we were the convincing winners and have qualified for the finals for the second consecutive year. A great achievement!

There were wins on the track for Andrea Sanders-Reece (competing two age groups down in the 3k), Rhiannon Needham (200m) and Catkin Shelley (200m and 800m) and second places for Caroline Torry (200m and 800m) and Avril Riddell (3k). In the field, Mary Davies and Jan Farmer were both second in the hammer. Special mention to Margaret Sills who competed in 3 events all down an age group, Hel James for doing the high jump an age group down as well as 3 events in her category and Lynne Maughan who competed with us for the first time since 2007.

Congratulations and thanks to everyone who competed and huge thanks to Bev Thomas for managing us at each meet and ensuring we were all at the right place with the right numbers on at the right time. Many thanks to all the Serpentine officials and volunteers who helped at the various events. The finals are on 30 September in Ashford; if any ladies over 35 are interested in joining the team please let me know. (Serpie results) (Report: Catkin Shelley)

Milton Keynes 5000m Festival, 11 August

On Saturday afternoon, a small squad of track hungry Serpies headed north to Stantonbury Track in Milton Keynes, home of the Marshall Milton Keynes Athletic Club, which hosted the inaugural MK5000 PB Special Festival. In a full day of eleven 5000m races, a remarkable 60% of runners achieved PBs despite the wet and windy conditions. The weather didn’t put people off and the organisers succeeded in creating a fun festival atmosphere, featuring music and live race commentary, together with a whole selection of draft beer and food stalls to reward the runners and spectators throughout the day. The winner of the Men’s A race was Jack Crabtree of Shaftesbury Barnet in a PB of 14:07.74. The winner of the Women’s race was Jessica Judd of Blackburn in 15:37.23. No PBs for the Serpie runners this time, however a second chance beckons, as all 4 are entered in the Hercules Wimbledon 5000m this week (Wed 15th). (Report & photo: Jonathan Moscrop)

Serpie results:
James Gillanders, 16:38.78, 9th Race F
Simon Barrett, 16:56.66, 17th Race E
Jonathan Moscrop, 16:59.82, 5th, Race G
Isabel Clark, 17:32.68, Women’s Race

Thames Meander Half Marathon, 11 August

For neophytes such as myself, the welcome promise of a race starting at a civilised hour (10:30) made my preparations no less hurried and in my haste to finish the kippers and toast and to get to the Hawker YMCA (a scene of great Serpentine triumph at the culmination of the Green Belt Relay some months ago) I managed to forget both hat and poundshop sunglasses. As such I was relieved that this low-key but excellently organised Half Marathon and Marathon distance race (chip timed, marshalled, Haribo Tangfastics at all aid stations) charted a navigation next to its eponymous watercourse on flat and well shaded paths. The downside of which meant one’s watch spent most of the time in a high state of GPS-bereft confusion which made pacing something of a feeling-based rather than factual exercise but for a friendly race ahead of autumn Marathons it was perfect. (Report & photo: Jamie Giles)

Lowther Fell & Trail Run, 12 August

In these days of spiralling costs for race entry, it’s always refreshing to bag a bargain. Entry to this 13 miler costs £12. That includes entrance to the Lowther Show for the day, entry for which is £15 alone. You also get all day parking thrown in. Oh and every finisher gets a large bottle of local beer. A small but friendly event with a start and finish with the stunning castle as a backdrop. The race itself is challenging; over 1500 feet of climbing as well as fording a river. Walking is sometimes the only option. The winner completed in 1:28, a testament to how tough this was. Your humble correspondent managed 30th place in 1:52, my slowest ever, but in these conditions - chuffed! (Report: Kevin Murray)

Salisbury 54321 Trail 33k, 12 August

After a restful night at Sarum College inside the Cathedral Close, I lined up at the start with fellow Serpies Branwen Jones and David Cull. David immediately steamed off into the distance, not to be seen again. Branwen and I stayed together for the first 10k, before she also took off. By halfway, my legs were feeling tight and heavy. On we went up and down hills, through fields and along country lanes in the drizzle. Then came the '1k to go' sign, finally! And I heard welcome shouts of 'go go go Serpie' - David and his wife. Seconds later, I crossed the finish line, tired but pleased to have bagged another 20-miler on the road to Berlin and Chicago. Separately, Clare Meraz (2nd claim) won the 21k race. Congratulations Clare! 

I had heard many a good thing about the race, and it did not disappoint. It is a small friendly event with frequent and well stocked check points, impeccably way-marked. The route loops around Salisbury through the beautiful Wiltshire countryside, past Old Sarum, a castle and famous Salisbury Cathedral. Highly recommended.  (Report & photo: Eda Korkmaz)

>>Your report here<<

Did you achieve a new personal best, compete in your first ever race, hit a milestone or especially enjoy a particular race? Then please get in touch. Whether you are a competitive athlete or take part for the sheer pleasure of it, everybody's contributions are welcome. Deadline: end of Monday; 130 words max. If you send photos, please ask for permission if you use somebody else's and confirm the source. 

Meet the Club Member

Tony Payne was fastest Serpie at this year's London Marathon and The Big Half, helping the men secure gold in the UKA team champs in both events. Good luck at the Asian Games later this month! Find out more about the man and his preparations.

Parkrun results for 11 August 2018 (75 runners)

Top 5 by time and age-graded performance

Podium Finishers

1st: Andrew Reeves (Reigate Priory) - 17:59
2nd: Raoul Huysmans (Wormwood Scrubs) - 19:37
3rd: Tim Powell (Hampstead Heath) - 18:38

Milestones

Luke Parker - 150th parkrun, celebrated at Fulham Palace. Lloyd Bevan - 50th parkrun venue at Rickmansworth

Busiest parkruns (3+ Serpies)

Fulham Palace (7), Hackney Marshes (6), Hampstead Heath (5), Victoria Dock (4), Bushy (3), Dulwich (3), Gunnersbury (3), Mile End (3)

Full consolidated Serpentine results. Can't see yours? Updating your parkrun profile with Serpentine RC as your club should do the trick. (Results: Alex Jeffreys)

Serpentine results database

Check the results database on the club website for other performances not covered here. If your result is missing, you can add it yourself or, if the race isn't listed in the dropdown menu, contact the Results Elves at results@serpentine.org.uk. Even better, add your name to the Race & Event Planner in advance and name SERPENTINE as your club when you enter races to ensure your results can be more easily added to your profile.

With thanks to everyone who contributed to this week's edition!

Eda Korkmaz
communications@serpentine.org.uk

Submitted: 15 August 2018

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