Summer League 2021 – Battersea Park (22nd)

Hello Serpies,

The Summer League came back to a real-life races and Battersea Park (Sunday 22nd Aug) which we organise. Please come and join us for these races!

What is the Summer League?

The Serpie team in Regent's Park on 25th July 2021

 

The Summer League is an inter-club competition of a few races in the summer months, at various venues around London. The clubs in the league this year are Dulwich Park Runners; Metros; Ealing, Southall and Middlesex; Hayes and Harlington; Mornington Chasers; Serpentine RC; Sudbury Court; Ealing Eagles; and Queens Park Harriers. The pandemic and social distancing restrictions meant that there are three races in 2021, with the hope that in 2022 it will go back to a normal five-race season.

The two remaining fixtures in the 2021 calendar are:

  • Sunday 15th August – Dulwich Park, 5 miles (8k), organised by Dulwich Park Runners
  • Sunday 22nd August – Battersea Park, 10k, organised by us, Serpentine Running Club

Following the main event there is a shorter 'tenderfoot' (1.5-2km) race suitable mainly for children, and then a fun run for smaller children running with their parents. Finally, those who came to the Summer League races before would remember a series of optional, light hearted, age graded, 300-400m relays, again suitable for all ages and abilities. The organisers have confirmed that the relays will take place at Dulwich. Unfortunately Battersea Park has not allowed us to stage the relays in our fixture.

 

Why you should come to the Summer League 

There are so many good reasons to take part, here are a few:

  • The races are of a good standard with runners of all abilities – from 33 mins to 1 hour 20 mins for a 10k.
  • Race entries are free for participants – they are paid for by the Club.
  • The races are held in different parks in London – sometimes in those you don’t go to normally.
  • These are very sociable events – normally cakes are available after the run!
  • These races are great for new members to get to know others in the Club.

 

Second Race – Sunday 15th July, Dulwich Park (5 miles / 8k)

The second race of the season will be a 8km race on Sunday 15th August in Dulwich Park. The race start is at 9:30am in the middle of the park, not far from the Clock Cafe.  You should be able to see runners from all clubs if you come into the park half an hour or so before. During the race, there will be marshals available to direct runners.

Please click here to let us know you’re running before 7pm on Saturday 14th August. Please also use the same form to ask any questions. Note that the race does not require sign-up, you just need to show up with your Serpie shirt/vest to run. However, we’d like to collect the entry information in advance, in order to allow us to have an idea of numbers, communicate with participants, and enable contact tracing potentially.

 

Third Race – Sunday 22nd August, Battersea Park – Organised by us!

We Serpies will host the last fixture on 22nd August in Battersea Park (10k). The race will start at 9:30am near the Bandstand.  It will be a four-lap course – the Serpie marshals will be directing runners.  This is a fantastic 10k with a very easy route which many of us (including me!) recorded a personal-best time!

If you’re running, please click here to let us know before 7pm on Saturday 21st August. Please also use the same form to ask any questions. Just like Dulwich, sign-up is not mandatory but will be helpful to us. Please come with your Serpie shirt/vest to run.

If you’re taking a break from running, why not come and volunteer to help stage the event? Most of the roles required don’t require any qualifications. The key roles are:

  • 2 x Timekeepers
  • 6 x Marshals
  • 2 x Finish Funnel Stewards (guiding runners into the finish funnel)
  • 2 x Finish Place Handlers (handing out finish position numbers to runners)
  • 2 x Water Station Volunteers
  • 1 x Bag Minder

Volunteers will need to be at the Battersea Park Bandstand from about 9am. 

Thanks to those who have already raised their hands - we need more! Available to help on the day? Please use this link or email me to indicate your availability.

Finally, we are having a members’ social after the race from about noon in the Pear Tree Café inside Battersea Park. All members, whether you volunteer, run, or just pass by, are very welcome to join us! Please click here for more details.  If you’d like to join us, please fill in your details here so we know numbers.

Any further questions, please let me know.

 

Happy Summer Running!

Hans Ho

Participation Representative

Submitted: 11 August 2021

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