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Weekly Serpie round-up

Hercules Wimbledon 5000m Festival, 15 August

Tremendous evening of races at Wimbledon last week. PBs by Nathan Wilkins, Xavier Gruot, Martin O’Connell, Andy Greenleaf and Jon Poole, with several others running close to best form in this excellently organised series of races. (Serpie results) (Report: David Chalfen)

Southern Athletics League (division 3) - match 5, 18 August

Our last SAL match of the 2018 season took place at Battersea last Saturday. It was our second home match this year and it was great to have many competitors, officials, helpers and supporters (including a few future T&F Serpies hopes). Tough day for our team though with all the other teams still fighting for promotion and competing at full strenght. The day was won quite comfortably by Wycombe Phoenix Harriers with Serpentine finishing in third place (Serpie results): 

This final match put us in 7th position of division 3N: pomotion was only 5 points away and we were well ahead of some more established athletics clubs.

Well done to all those who competed for our team: congrats to Nick Torry (5000m) and Laura Carmichael (800m, PB) who both won their races. We also had several B string wins and a collection of PBs in the 800m non scoring race. Top Serpie scorers were Frank Womelsdorf (14 points) for the men and Rhiannon Needham (17) for the women.

Thanks to our many officials and helpers who spent the day at the track for us. Hoping not to forget anyone, it was great to see David Lipscomb, Malcolm French, Ian and Sally Hodge (what better way to spend your 34th wedding anniversary?), George Allan, Andy Maynard, Daisy Galdstone, Sammy Li, Josie Wildridge, Cliff Hide, Margaret Sills, Jen Bradley, Milan Misak, Vanessa Adeeko and MC Brett Ossler. And thank you to everyone who competed with us over the past five months, it has been a cracking season. Good luck to our teams still competing at the Rosenheim and Vets AC Finals in the next month or so. The date for the T&F social will be announced shortly, hopefully see many people out there. (Report & photo: Nic Barberis)

London Aquathlon, 18 August

It was great to see so many Serpies at this year’s London Aquathlon (5 in total)! Based at the London Aquatics centre, the event consisted of a 400m swim in the Olympic competition pool followed by a 5km run around the Olympic Park. I would recommend the event to any newbies looking to take up multisport for the first time since it was very inclusive, beginner friendly and well organised. I was really happy to place 1st female and run my fastest 5km in a multisport event to date. (Report & photo: Debbie Lowi)

Willesden 5K Prize Challenge Race, 16 August

Wasn't it brilliant, just so, fab. The inaugural Willesden Tri 5k pb's. Low key, high vibe, sunsets and 5k guns at dawn. This is an event which I'm convinced will grow. Lots of Serpies, lots of Ealing Eagles as well as hosts, a smidgen of Dulwich, Highgate. Four waves broke down the runners over 5000 metres track, with some excellent performances from Joost Vogel, Gideon Reid, Peter Clarke, Rob Whitmarsh and Camilla Allwood. At the sharp end the fastest runner came home in 15:33 but this wasn't the sharp point, greatest improver being the winner and although no Serpies were amongst the prizes let's just hear it for Kristin Duffy and her Willesden Tri Team! Great night! (Report: Lloyd Bevan)

Extreme North Quadrathon, 15-18 August

Three Serpies, Alan Hall, Michelle Homden and Margaret Lang, travelled to the isolated Inishaven Peninsula, Donegal, Republic of Ireland for the Extreme North Quadrathon - 4 back to back marathons or half marathons over 4 days for both runners and walkers. Different routes every day around the Wild Atlantic Way scenic route. Beautiful and varied scenery passing sandy beaches, hilly rugged terrain, the steep and long Marmor Gap and Malin Head - Ireland’s most northerly mainland point, lovely banks of wild flowers, heather on the moors, stunning views, mixed Irish weather - sun, rain, mist. Great camaraderie and atmosphere and post race food and hot drinks each day. A very friendly and well organised event. Huge finishers medals. Loved it!

Alan did the club proud finishing in the top 6 every day in the marathon event. For Michelle and Margaret 4 half marathons on 4 consecutive days was a journey into the unknown. We exceeded all our expectations by actually managing to run all 4 rather than end up walking & .... amazingly no post race stiffness! (Report & photo: Margaret Lang)

Reykjavik Half Marathon, 18 August

The 35th edition of the race attracted more than 14,000 runners from Iceland and beyond. There are 4 distances to choose from - marathon, half marathon, 10k and fun run - and race day coincides with Culture Night (Menningarnótt), one of Iceland's most popular celebrations. The race starts and finishes at Tjörnin, a beautiful little lake in the centre of town, and follows the shoreline past Harpa Concert Hall and the famous Sun Voyager sculpture. Conditions were perfect - 12 degrees, glorious sunshine and a light breeze -, while the second half of the route proved to be less flat than expected. Enthusiastic support along the course, including locals banging pots and playing live music, and a lone shout of 'well done Serpie' at mile 6, helped make this a very friendly and fun event. The race goodies included beer and a voucher for free entry to the city's hot baths. Takk (N)Iceland, you made 3 Serpies very happy! (Report: 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. 

Parkrun results for 18 August 2018 (66 runners)

Top 5 by time and age-graded performance

Podium Finishers

1st: James Gillanders (Hampstead Heath) - 17:34, Gideon Reid (Wormwood Scrubs) - 18:21, Debbie Clarke (Folkestone) - 20:28
3rd: Samuel Barnes (Mile End) - 16:55, Dominic Grise (Crystal Palace) - 18:04, Philip Whitehouse (Beckton) - 19:17

Milestones

Richard Craig-McFeely - 150th parkrun, celebrated at Fulham Palace

Busiest parkruns (3+ Serpies)

Hampstead Heath (5), Bushy (3), Finsbury (3), Hilly Fields (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: 21 August 2018

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