December 2024
Howdy Ranelights.
Goodness gracious me, where is 2024 going?
It seems like the days are hurtling by, and as we come into December and start of the festive season, we hope you remember to pause – every once in a while – to breathe, listen and value all that we have.
While it’s good to race and train to the best of your abilities, it’s also good to rest and recover, especially after a long season of races. As a certain someone recently said, ‘rest isn’t weakness, it’s part of the plan. Take care of your body and mind, and run stronger‘ 💙💛
It’s also worth remembering that for some, the cold weather, dark nights and pressure to feel festive – as well as the financial burden – can be a struggle, so let’s endeavour to check in on others – and ourselves – as we collectively look after our mental wellbeing.
Whether that’s by going on social runs, doing parkrun together, attending training or simply popping a nice message to each other once in a while, we hope this post – channeling many positive spirits – will serve as a reminder that there’s plenty going on in our club during this celebratory time, with everyone welcome to be involved.
Just don’t forget your lights & reflective gear when you do go out running!
We start in the spirit of co-operation, with a short message from our President, Maia Rushby:
We kicked off our club’s 5-year strategy process on Tuesday evening (26 Nov) with 20 club members participating in a facilitated feedback session in our clubhouse. Passions and enthusiasms were at an all time high. It’s clear that we all love our club and there was no shortage of great ideas on how we could make our club better for members in the future. Thank you to everyone who took part, and a special thank you to Gareth Williams, Rick Jenner and Rachel Revett for helping out.
We’re taking the key themes from this session to finalise the questionnaire that will be emailed to members to complete over the Christmas period. After analysis, we’ll share the results with you in the new year. The committee have dedicated an evening to shape our strategy at the end of January, and our aim is to be ready to set up some implementation groups in February – when we’ll be asking for more help from you!
Next stop is in the spirit of cohesiveness, with an update from the kit design team:
An incredible 148 of you have already completed the new kit form. Thank you so much, and also for your comments on the new design and kit. We’re delighted to hear that it’s been so well received.
There have been some questions about sizing, so there will be another chance for you to try it out in person, at our clubhouse @ 6.30pm on Tuesday night (before training). We’ve also extended the deadline to complete the form to 12 midday Wednesday 4th December, but please do so promptly afterwards the form will be closed then to allow us to place the order in time for an end of January delivery.
If you have already filled in the form and would like to change your size, or if you have any other questions, please email coordinator@ranelagh-harriers.co.uk ASAP.
We continue in the spirit of friendship, with a message about the upcoming ‘new’ mob match vs The Stragglers on 7 Dec:
Thank you to everyone who has already been in touch. Feedback on this new twist on an old tradition has been overwhelmingly positive and we look forward to welcoming as many of you as possible, both to run and to volunteer, on what we trust it’ll be a fun, social and inclusive event.
You can find full details, course & timings about our new fixture @ https://ranelagh-harriers.co.uk/stragglers-mob/ 👈
A request from the organisers please, whether you’re planning to run or volunteer, it would be very helpful if you could please fill in this short Google Form ASAP https://bit.ly/StragglersMob 👈
Moving swifly onto the spirit of communication, here’s a race report by James Riley, Men’s Captain, on the 23 Nov Mob Match vs THH @ Wimbledon Common:
Everyone loves a listicle, right? So here are three things Thames Hare & Hounds absolutely nail:
1. Setting a Mob Match Course: Undoubtedly one of the finest cross-country course out there. Scenic, challenging, and an absolute joy to run. Until you realise your lungs are on fire.
2. Post-Race Tea: Victoria Sponge? Check. Sandwiches? Of course. Portuguese custard tarts? You bet. They’re basically the Mary Berry of running clubs.
3. Running Fast: Their Surrey League and London Championships results speak for themselves. They’re quick, and they know it.
And yet, despite all this, somehow this was a sporting mismatch in our favour. Not quite Arbroath 36–0 Bon Accord (a little treat for the football historians), but one that casts Thames as late period Manchester City – only Thames literally didn’t turn up, with 10 runners to our 39.
Pre-Race Drama: Approaching the start line, my initial fear was despite bringing nearly 40 people, we were going to lose a three to score match! Luckily a few more Thames runners appeared, and the “racing snakes” that had initially scared us were more Mateo Kovačić than Erling Haaland. Apologies for extending the Manchester City analogy to breaking point here.
The Course: And so to the racing. The course was another epic from Thames. Winding through narrow paths blanketed with golden beech leaves, it was part race, part autumn Instagram photoshoot. Storm Bert had thoughtfully added some extra obstacles – fallen trees galore, including one that formed a natural doorframe you had to step through! Note to self: trail shoes might’ve been a smarter choice than spikes for all that gravel.
Huge thanks to the Thames volunteers for a very well marked and marshalled course (they also may have outnumbered the runners), and to Ranelagh’s very own President, Maia Rushby, and Mick Lane for marshaling the finish.
The Racing: First to finish was our Joe Killip, despite an unplanned detour adding 500m to his run. He was closely followed by Thames’s sparkling veteran, Neil Chisholm, with Ranelagh’s Mr Reliable Marc Leyshon rounding out the top three. As ever, Dave Lawley was the 3rd Ranelagh home, and in a great surprise to no-one, Women’s Captain Suzy Whatmough was first lady (and Ranelagh’s final scorer in 12th). Sarah Carnwath and Rebecca Bissell rounded out the Ranelagh women’s podium.
The Result: With 8 to score, it wasn’t even close. Ranelagh secured a convincing victory, 52 to 116.
Let’s hope the rest of the mobs this season bring similar results, oh and a few more opposition runners too.
Next up, to channel the spirit of inspiration, we caught up with club member Ed Perry, founder and co-host of RunAlive podcast, as he reflects on the end of Season 4:
The RunAlive podcast is all about exploring how running overlaps with life, and particularly what we can learn from this sport we all love. It’s been great this season to have been joined by two new co-hosts, seasoned marathon runner, Gill Bland and award winning mental health campaigner, Ro Kallicharan.
Both really live out the idea that while running is not their identity, it is integral to helping them be the best versions of themselves, as they – like we all do – strive to hold running and life in the best possible balance.
In season 4, we’ve explored some great themes that have popped up – coincidentally – across the interviews with our guests:
1. Welsh middle distance runner, Jame Thie and 50km World Champion, Carla Molinaro spoke about community and the power of doing our sport with others.
2. Creator & runner, James Rhodes and Olympic long jumper, Jacob Fincham-Dukes spoke about the importance of making the moment count.
3. And Olympian Steph Kessell (nee Davis) and running coach, Mario Fraioli both mentioned the importance of making sure that we are taking joy out of this sport as we do it, and if we’re not, to not be afraid to stop or change things up.
Truly inspirational stuff. So if you have time over the festive break – do give it a listen. And I’d love it if you were to share your thoughts with me, and better yet, suggestions for season 5!
1️⃣ Details @ www.runalive.co.uk👈
2️⃣ Subscribe @ https://open.spotify.com/show/2sVes1jFMwSvFe8SfI5Sj0👈 or wherever you get your podcasts from
3️⃣ Join our Strava Club @ https://strava.app.link/ocOMIV5y5Fb👈
Showcasing the spirit of gratitude, is our Men’s Captain, James Riley, again. This time, wearing his other hat as coach & founder of Run Unbound:
Run Unbound was born out of Ranelagh. It’s where I first cut my coaching teeth, thanks to seven brave Ranelagh guinea pigs who kindly let me coach them while I worked on my qualifications. Their trust (and patience!) sparked the dream of becoming a full-time running coach.
Fast forward to when I officially launched Run Unbound, two years ago now. Once again, it was you amazing Ranelagh folks who stepped up as my very first clients. Since then, Run Unbound has really grown and I’m now coaching runners from all over the country.
But no matter how far it grows, Ranelagh will always have a special place in my heart. Which is why I’ve always offered Ranelagh members a 15% discount on my coaching plans.
What I haven’t done so well though, is letting you all know about it 🙄
So here’s me finally putting it out there – if you’re looking for support to achieve your running dreams, I’d love to help. And yes, the 15% discount still stands!
And finally, we close with the spirit of festiveness, with a short note from our Social Secretaries, Hadi & Sue:
Thank you to everyone who booked to attend the Ranelagh Xmas Party on 7 December at All Bar One, Richmond. We’re really looking forward to welcoming you that evening from 6pm. Any questions or issues, please feel free to speak to any of us, or email coordinator@ranelagh-harriers.co.uk ASAP. See you there!
Notices
📅 You can find the full list of our 2024/2025 fixtures @ https://ranelagh-harriers.co.uk/fixtures-2024-2025/ 👈
💚 Don’t forget to share your celebrations & achievements with a pic, a result and a 5-word review in our ‘General Club Chat’ group. Join via WhatsApp Community or this link: https://chat.whatsapp.com/EOXovU5nMK00H9faojuPOm 👈 We’d really love to see what you get up to.
🥛 2025 Thames Towpath 10 Mile | Sunday 6 April @ 8.30am: Entries have opened for West 4 Harriers’ iconic race (& custom pint glass) so don’t miss out on your place. We assume they’ve received the inside word that the flooded out section of the towpath will be restored by then 😉 so check it out @ https://www.west4harriers.com/thames-towpath-10-mile-2025/ 👈
