Around the Serpentine – SRC Newsletter May 2024
We’ve decided to reintroduce the monthly newsletter to keep you all updated about upcoming events, and possible opportunities to get involved with the club!
Looking back...
April had many highlights: 66 Serpies competed in the London Marathon, there were personal bests a plenty. A special shoutout must go to Andrea Ruto, who helped a fellow competitor over the line, his actions were profoundly selfless and epitomise the sportsmanship that all members of our club aspire to. Follow this link to his fundraiser for the British Red Cross.
A huge thanks to all the organisers of our club social on 24th April, it was a thoroughly enjoyable event. If you’d like to help our brilliant team, we’re always looking for volunteers, if you think you can support with anything from our Wednesday socials to marshalling, we’d love to hear from you! Get in touch with Catharine.
Looking ahead to May, we have a wide array of opportunities to get competitive. With the weather getting warmer, we doubt there’s a better way to spend your weekends!
May, at a Glance.
Saturday, 11th May
- Saturday Long Run Supporting Mind (for Mental Health Awareness Week) – 09:30 k/o.
Sunday, 12th May
- Crystal Palace Triathlon - Crystal Palace National Sports Centre – 8:45 k/o.
- Ranelagh Harriers Half Marathon – Richmond – 8:30 k/o.
Monday, 13th May
- Southern Vets AC League, Battersea Park Track – 18:00 k/o.
Saturday, 18th May
- SAL Athletics Meet – Watford – 11:00 k/o
- Green Belt Relay, 18th-19th of May
Wednesday, 22nd May
- Rosenheim League (Track and Field) – Battersea Park - 18:30 k/o
Friday, 31st May
- Last Friday 5k – Hyde Park – 12:30 k/o
Running Events
Saturday Long Run Supporting Mind – Italian Gardens – May 11th
As part of our Saturday Long Run series, we are going to do a heart-shaped route in Central London, totalling about 20km. More details can be found via this link. This is to support the mental health charity Mind, prior to the Mental Health Awareness Week. We will start at 09:30 at the Italian Gardens in Hyde Park (opposite to Lancaster Gate tube). Please join us – even if you’re just running part of it, particularly you’d just like a shakeout prior to the Ranelagh Half the next day (see below).
Fancy this on your Strava? Join us!
Ranelagh Harriers Half – Richmond – May 12th
The Kew and Ham Sports Association will play host to the Ranelagh half, which is also a Serpentine Half Marathon Club Champs race. Entries remain open for this event; it offers the chance to run with other clubs from around London. All abilities are encouraged to come down for what promises to be an enjoyable morning in Richmond.
Meet time is at 8:00 for an 8:30 start, entry costs £34 and any members looking to participate should do so in club colours.
Green Belt Relay – May 18th-19th
We are now looking for a few more runners to join our team of 33 due to injuries to some of our teammates, so please follow this link to sign up if you can join the team for the weekend in 2 weeks’ time. Even if we fill up all the remaining spots now, sign-ups are still encouraged to ensure we have reserves should anyone have to pull out last minute. All participants should expect to run at least 20 miles over 2 days of this 220 mile relay race.
Last Friday 5k – May 31st
Anyone who would like to have a good quality 5k race on Friday lunchtime should come to Hyde Park on the last Friday of the month! A great one to build up to for runners looking to improve their speed, with a cut-off time of 35 minutes.
If you’d be interested in participating or volunteering as a marshal, we are always looking for an extra pair of hands. Either follow this link or email the organiser Malcolm French for more details.
5k race start near the Serpentine café in Hyde Park
Track and Triathlons
Crystal Palace Triathlon – Crystal Palace – May 12th
A great start in the 2024 triathlon calendar, the annual Crystal Palace Triathlon will be held on Sunday 12th May, starting in the Crystal Palace National Sports Centre. Anyone who wants to take on this sprint distance race (300m swim, 20km bike, 5km run), please sign up by midnight of Sunday 5th May.
Southern Vets Athletics League – Battersea Park Track – May 13th
The 2024 Track & Field Season will begin on Monday 13th May at the Millennium Arena in Battersea Park when we host the first fixture of the Southern Vets Athletics League. We are looking for more volunteers to host the event, starting at 18:00 and finishing by 21:15. The volunteers will help judge the track and field events, but as you will be working with some experienced judges, no experience is required and a good opportunity to see how athletics meet works! Please contact Malcolm if you’d like to help with volunteering, or our captains Catkin (women’s team) or Andrew (men’s team) if you’d like to compete (anyone aged over 35 is eligible).
The SAL Athletics Meet – Watford – May 18th
Our Track and Field team will be heading up to Watford for the next event in the track and field season. With events from the high jump to the shot put, this will show of the wide variety of talents that the club possesses.
This session will run from 11:00-16:30. If you’d be interested in getting involved in the T&F side of the club, contact Frank Womelsdorf who will provide more details.
The Rosenheim League – Battersea Park – May 22nd
Just as varied as the SAL, but a bit closer to home (for some!), entry is completely free to this event! Wearing club colours is a must, if you fancy a nice Wednesday evening post-work shakeout, get in touch with David and Sophie at rosenheim@serpentine.org.uk.
Any questions about club events, or if you’d like your event to be mentioned in the next newsletter, please email Hans.
Jonah & Hans
Serpie Comms
Submitted: 4 May 2024