Cross Country – the Final Mud Hurray

The final Metropolitan League fixture of the season will be in Trent Park on Saturday 8th – race details will be provided by the race organisers here. The next morning on Sunday 9th will see this Sunday League season draw to a close in Royston, Hertfordshire. Like other fixtures, there is no need to sign up beforehand, but please bring your Serpie top and bib number if you have attended the other fixtures in this season. Not done any of the races this winter so far? Arrive in good time before race start to get a bib number.

Good luck to those running the English National Champs in Wollaton Park, Nottingham on Saturday 22nd. Sadly you can’t sign up for the race anymore, but if you have – hope you enjoy this all day event in Nottingham, including a night out and an overnight stay. Any questions please ask our XC rep Daisy Gladstone.

Trail running

Fancy running with some fresh air and friendliness? Hisayo Kawahara is leading the next trail run this coming Saturday 1st from Farnham to Guildford. It is an undulating route with a few short hills. Absolutely fine for trail beginners, but please make sure you read the details via this link to get yourself prepared. Questions? Contact Hisayo or the Trail Running Team.

Serpentine parkrun Day

A lot of us do parkruns, and there’s another chance to do one all together. After a successful outing in November in Clapham Common, the next Serpentine parkrun day will be in Hampstead Heath on Saturday 29th. Run details by the race organisers are here; I will communicate further for more details as a Serpie event closer to time. Interested in coming? Put your name down in the Serpie Event Planner here. I will also set up a Facebook event. Please let me know if you are happy to marshal to help the run organisers (as we probably need a few), or if you know some good coffee places for everyone to go afterwards.

Marathon training groups

In my email last month I asked if any of you would be training for a spring marathon and if you would like to run together.  Thanks to about 30 of you who responded. Since then I have introduced some faster runners to a 3-hour training group – please contact me if you still want to join.

For those who are aiming for not as fast as 3 hours, there are a couple of Facebook groups for either 3:00 to 3:30 pace, or 3:30 to 4:30ish pace. Click links to join – these groups are places to organise runs or exchange tips. There have already been a few suggestions of weekend runs together so far, hopefully more runs in February.

Useful reminders for doing runs:

• You can enter the Seymour Centre with a Serpentine RC membership card. Obviously don’t abuse the Centre’s trust on us by slipping into the gym or the pool without paying, but otherwise it is a perfect place to meet, use the changing rooms (bring a padlock with you for lockers), and start your run. Need ideas for routes? Have a look here.
• On Wednesday nights, there are normally a group running to Tower Bridge and back (12 miles), alternatively there is a route to Millennium Bridge (9 miles). Long runs start earlier than 3-parks, at about 6:40pm. Feel free to post if you’re doing those and want company.

Regular club activities

• Track training: There are sessions every Monday at Paddington Rec (Maida Vale), every Tuesday also at Paddington Rec, and every Tuesday Parliament Hill. All sessions start at 7pm.
• Off track training: Evening sessions are in Bermondsey every Tuesday at 7pm and in Primrose Hill on Thursday also at 7pm. Those who want to do Saturday hills have the options of Greenwich at 10am or Hampstead Heath at 9:45am.
• Regular club runs are on Wednesdays and Saturdays (both meeting at Seymour Centre), and Sundays in Richmond Park starting at 9am.
• Coached swimming sessions are in the Orchard Lisle Pool on Mondays at 7pm (London Bridge) or Seymour Centre on Mondays at 8:30pm, and on Thursdays in St Pancras at 8pm.
• Spin class is on Wednesday night at 6:40pm in the Seymour Centre.

Regular club races

February’s Handicap race is on this coming Saturday 1st. Running? Come to register between 8:30 and 8:55am at the Serpentine Boat House in Hyde Park. Not running? Volunteer with the handicap crew and stay for a coffee afterwards.

The next Last Friday of the Month 5k is on Friday 28th. The race starts at 12:30pm also near the Hyde Park Boat House. Register to run here; to volunteer to marshal please contact the race organiser.

Good luck to those running

Many races to kick-start your 2020 road running season:

• Watford Half Marathon Sunday 2nd Feb
• Barcelona Half Marathon Sunday 16th Feb
• Bramley 20 Miles Sunday 16th Feb – Perfect for your marathon training, still available to sign up at the time of this email
• Tunbridge Wells Half Marathon Sunday 16th Feb
• Brighton Half Marathon Sunday 23rd Feb
• Hampton Court Half Marathon Sunday 23rd Feb

If you’re running these races, feel free to put your name down and let others know in the Serpie Race & Event Planner.

Finally, dates for your diary…

Final reminder that our Winter Party is on Saturday 1st at the London City Runners Club, from 7:30pm till late.  Theme? Dress Fancy!

Our next Walk and Pub will be on Sunday 1st March. Having hiked through Tring and Stevenage in the first two editions, this time we will walk through the woods in Epping Forest and finish in, where else, a pub. More details to come in February.

Happy Serpie February!

Hans Ho

Participation Representative