Serpie Exclusives – January 2025
Serpentine Running and Triathlon Club members’ newsletter, by Ron Wood – Friday January 10, 2025
Welcome to our new monthly newsletter, Serpie Exclusives, which will update members on the latest news and fun goings on in the world of London’s best running and triathlon club!
Straight to businesses. It wasn’t to be for our New Year’s Day 10k, with the Royal Parks being closed due to strong wind gusts – but the race has been rearranged for this coming Sunday (January 12).
A big thank you to everyone who has volunteered – whatever the weather, these events can’t take place without your incredible support and commitment.
Even with the 10k being postponed, there has still been plenty happening in club circles and here are some highlights from the past few weeks…
Christmas party
Friday December 6
A huge thanks to Sophie Taylor for organising an amazing Christmas party at Magdalen Hall. This was a sell-out event featuring a drinks reception and canapés, a three-course dinner (including a Winter-Wonderland themed dessert experience), a DJ and, of course, plenty of dancing. We hope everyone who attended had a great time (and there weren’t too many sore heads the next day)!
Marathon training art!
Saturday December 21
There was a fine effort from Michael Ngo and company from the ‘Marathon Training’ group on their pre-Christmas run. Check out this most impressive ‘Strava art’ (Neil Buchanan, eat your heart out)…
The Serpentine Handicap
Saturday January 4
It was the first handicap (5k running race, with a staggered start, in Hyde Park on the first Saturday of each month) of the new year last weekend and the results are in!
Frank Womelsdorf
Andrew Maynard
Darren Over
Well done everyone who took part and volunteered. Join us on February 1 for the next one! Details here
Multisport Winter League
Ongoing
The Multisport winter league has been going on for five weeks now and the competition is hotting up. This week is a 25km bike ride which can be completed indoors or outdoors. There are still another eight weeks to get involved so if you fancy it then email triathlon@serpentine.org.uk. And the eagerly awaited multisport Summer League will be launched this week, so watch this space…
COMING UP…
Cross country, Metropolitan League 8k, Welwyn Garden City
Saturday 11 January
The cross country season is in full swing and there has been some tremendous running from Serpies! You just have to turn up for this one (and remember your number if you have raced already this season). There’s also Metropolitan League 8k, Trent Park on February 8 (again, just turn up and remember your number if you have raced already this season), as well as the Sunday League 6M on Feb 16 (destination TBC). And not forgetting Parliament Hill, Feb 22 (8k for Women / 12k for Men; second round of entries will be requested soon)
Hampstead Heath Hills, Hyde Park social run, Greenwich Hills, Long Run (marathon training)…
(almost) every Saturday
No shortage of options on Saturdays! Check them out on our training diary
Sunday bike ride
(almost) every Sunday
See here for more info on cycle rides from various locations
Richmond Park Long Run
(almost) every Sunday
There’s no better setting for your Sunday long run. Details here
Paddington track (foundation)
(almost) every Monday
Coached track sessions for adult members new to structured training. Details on this button
Swimming at London Bridge (sign up!)
Monday January 13
Fancy a swim? These are coached sessions at the Orchard Lisle Pool – suitable for most levels but not aimed at complete beginners. Info here
Paddington track (middle distance & endurance)
(almost) every Tuesday
Coached sessions for experienced middle-distance runners and endurance athletes (all speeds). Details here
St Pancras Swim Block (sign up!)
Wednesday January 15
Fancy a(nother) swim? Join us for coached swimming sessions at Pancras Square Leisure, St Pancras. This is suitable for most levels but not aimed at complete beginners. This latest block will run for 12 weeks (began January 8). Info here
Wednesday runs @Regents Park
(almost) every Wednesday
Did you know there’s a Wednesday morning club run? (no, me neither). Well, it’s a gentle run at a social pace around the perimeter of the park. If you like the sound of that, here are the details
Park running (not parkrun) – and pub!
(almost) every Wednesday
I’m sure you’ve been on one of our Wednesday evening social runs – but if not, all the info you need is here. There are varying pace groups and distances in some pretty cool settings – and you can come to the pub afterwards! What more could you want?! You’ll find loads of welcoming faces (on the run and in the pub) and it’s a great way to hang out and get to know your fellow club members
Hills @ Primrose Hill & Threshold @ Battersea Park
(almost) every Thursday
Two great locations for some harder efforts to help build your fitness. Hills info here, threshold details on this link
Beginners’ course (sign up!)
Saturday January 18
Looking to discover or re-engage with the fun and social side of running? Further details here
Serpie Trail Running
Sunday January 26
Epping Forest is the destination. More details to follow in due course. Join our WhatsApp group and keep an eye out here for further info
Last Friday of the Month 5k
Friday January 31
If you can get away from work (tell your boss the WIFI is playing up), this is a really cool little race in Hyde Park on a Friday lunchtime at the end of each month. You’ll be competing for Serpentine against other clubs but, as always, first and foremost it’s just a bit of fun!
Novice Triathlon programme
Monday February 10
Are you Tri or multisport curious, can you do two elements of the triathlon well but aren’t confident swimming or cycling, or are you new to triathlon? This sounds like the programme for you. A new triathlon programme aimed at novices has been launched. Pub to be confirmed but we’ll meet the week commencing February 10 for a Q&A and the programme starts February 17
Serpie Talks
Thursday February 13
For 2025 we’re launching ‘Serpie Talks’, where prominent speakers talk about aspects of sports that interest Serpies and the wider running and triathlon community. If you like the sound of that, come along! Full details on our inaugural event can be found here
GETTING TO KNOW YOU
Each month we’ll be getting to know a bit more about a member of the club. Here’s the super speedy runner Nicholas Browne for starters…
Hey Nic, how long have you been part of the club and what made you choose Serpentine?
I’ve been a member for just over two years. I chose Serpentine on the recommendation of my friend Glenn Hughes who was already a long-time member
Are you training for anything in particular?
Seville and London marathons in the spring, then track races in the summer. And come the autumn it’ll be the Berlin and New York marathons
Keeping busy, then! And do you have a favourite Serpentine session?
The monthly handicap event in Hyde Park
Thanks, Nic. Final question, what advice would you give new club members?
Go to the pub/cafe after your run/workout/race. It’s the best place to get to know your clubmates
GET IN TOUCH
Please get in touch with any feedback and suggestions for future newsletters! You can reach me on ronwood1919@gmail.com
THANK YOU FOR READING (if you made it this far!)
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