• Track Training
• Off-Track Training
• Club Runs
• Run Courses
• Road Races
  • Club Handicap
  • Club Championships
  • Southern and National Road Relays
  • Regional and National Championships
  • Assembly League
  • Summer League
  • Green Belt Relay
  • Welsh Castles Relay
  • Age Grading
• Cross Country
• Off-Road Running
• London Marathon
• London Run Routes

• How it works
• Course map
• Who is Tom Hogshead?
• The Stratford Cup
• Thanks to our donors

• Summary
• Tom Hogshead
• Overall records
• Annual records
• Record progressions

The Serpentine Handicap

The Serpentine Handicap is a race of 6,975 metres (4.334 miles) which is a course of twice round the Serpentine and Long Water, starting and finishing near the boathouse. Occasionally, work and events in the Royal Parks cause the route to be modified; if so this will be clearly signalled by the marshals.

Unlike other road races you may have taken part in, the start of the Handicap is staggered according to individuals' past performances, so that all runners finish the race at about the same time. This is the brilliance of the Handicap race – both fast and slow runners have a chance of winning. If all goes well, there is an exciting finish down the final straight. The race rewards not the fastest runner but the runner who performs best relative to their previous performance.

The history of the Handicap and explanation of the handicap system make interesting reading. The Tom Hogshead Trophy is awarded at the end of the year (you can see past winners using the links on the right of this page). The Stratford Cup is presented to the handicap runner who achieves the highest average age-grading in the Handicap over six races in each calendar year, beginning in 2015. The results of the Handicap are published on the Serpentine website. You can also see the Handicap course records.

Registration and race timings

The Handicap is held on the first Saturday of each month (occasionally the date changes because of other events taking place in Hyde Park so do check the planner section of the website). Registration takes place from 8:30am at the bench near the Boathouse, as shown on the map below, and is strictly limited to the first 100 entries. No entries will be accepted after 8:55am. New runners should arrive by 8:30am and get a race number (please bring £2) and a Scratch Runner ‘X’. If you have run before but forget to bring your number, you keep the same number but will need to pay £2 for a replacement or £1 for a temporary handwritten number. Please come wearing your running kit: note that you are not allowed to change in the toilets at the Serpentine Bar and Kitchen Café. You may leave a bag in the registration area and it will be looked after by a marshal during the race. The nearest tube stations are Knightsbridge and Hyde Park Corner.

Notes

The Handicap is for members of the Serpentine Running Club only. If you are not a member you can join online, but note that you must have joined by the Friday morning preceding a race. Following the race, medals are presented for 1st, 2nd and 3rd places. Race times are recorded on the website and if your mobile number is on Serpiebase you will receive a text after the race confirming your time and race points.

The organisers at their discretion may change a competitor's start time if they believe it does not accurately reflect the runner's ability. Any runner suspected of intentionally performing below their ability in order to skew results may be disqualified from the Handicap competition.

Unless it is your first race, you must wear club colours to take part (tri tops, red/gold Serpie t-shirts, and Serpie running tops are all valid). Finally, please note that runners are not allowed to wear headphones while competing in the race, as runners need to be able to hear marshals' instructions and other competitors and vehicles approaching from behind. Anyone who fails to comply with race rules risks being disqualified.