November 2024 Part II
Howdy Ranelights.
And just like that, it’s winter 🥶 but as they say, there’s no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing. Or as you’ll read in the race report below, unsuitable XC spikes…
With 2 of 4 fixtures in the bag, there’s a short respite from the Surrey League treadmill until January 2025. But there’s still plenty of other fixtures for you to take part in; not least our traditional mob match with Thames Hare & Hounds on 23 November, plus a variation on that same tradition with The Stragglers on 7 December.
But it’s not all work and no play (although admittedly, one could say running is definitely play for us), we also have the Ranelagh Xmas party to look forward to. Read on my dear and get that running (& social) diary filled in….
🏃♀️ Mob Match vs THH | 23 Nov Wimbledon Common from 2pm: ALL HANDS ON DECK as we travel all the way across the A3 to visit our friendly rivals Thames Hare & Hounds. It’s a chance for everyone to participate in a running rivalry that dates back to November 1974, with the tally so far 22 Ranelagh wins against 27 Thames wins. Can we make it 23 victories? YES WE CAN! Full details @ https://ranelagh-harriers.co.uk/thh-mob-2024/ 👈
For those attending the supper at the Kings’ Head after, there will be a special treat from our own Angus Cater; by way of a short talk about THH running legend Chris Chataway.
🏃♀️➡️ Mob Match vs The Stragglers | 7 Dec Richmond Park from 1.30pm: A new twist on an old tradition; the one where EVERYONE gets the chance to score; including volunteers, making the word ‘MOB’ really mean something. Plus tea is FREE for everyone! Watch this space for a dedicated post in the next few days, which will have ALL the details you need.
Southern Masters Champs | 7 Dec Lloyd Park at 11.45am: For runners aged 40+ only, featuring a range of speeds, in a generally small field. Podiums for each 5 year age band. Sign up on Teamer by 21 Nov.
You can find the full list of our 2024/2025 fixtures @ https://ranelagh-harriers.co.uk/fixtures-2024-2025/ 👈
🎄Ranelagh Christmas Party | 7 Dec @ All Bar One, Richmond: If you haven’t placed your food orders yet, PLEASE DO IT NOW! From £37.95 per person, you can choose 3 courses from a festive set menu, plus extras. Please indicate any allergies or dietary preferences you may have on the form. Drinks will be ordered individually on the night.
PLACE YOUR ORDERS @ https://bookings.designmynight.com/place-your-order?booking_id=66ba274c7959f44346720aff 👈
After you have placed your orders, take note to the total amount due; and with your name + XMAS as the reference, PLEASE PAY THAT AMOUNT IN FULL by Sunday 24 November to:
Name: Ranelagh Harriers
Sort Code: 40-23-29
Account: 81109847
Don’t miss out on all the myrrhh-y-ment and the chance to mingle & jingle the wine-derful night away at what promises to be the party of the year!
Race Reports
🏃♀️➡️🏔️ SEAA London XC Champs | 16 Nov Parliament Hill | Report by Dave Lawley, Men’s Vice Captain:
Cross-Country Magic at Parliament Hill! Whatever you’re doing on February 22nd, 2025, cancel it. That’s the date of the National Cross-Country Championships, and the iconic Parliament Hill is calling.
Yesterday, this legendary venue set the stage for the London XC Championships, delivering all the thrills, challenges, and mud-soaked (uncharacteristically not the case yesterday) drama that make cross-country so special.
This course is as enigmatic as it is unforgiving. The men’s and women’s races saw everything: two DNFs, Hadi braving the final 3k with just one shoe after ditching his spike mid-race, and Joe Killip storming off the start line with winning ambition. It’s a course that tests mettle and showcases grit – proof that cross-country never fails to deliver. In short, it was fast and to quote our Women’s Vice Captain, Cecily Day, ”Brutal”.
A huge well done to everyone who competed! The men’s team claimed a respectable 17th place, powered by performances from Joe Killip, Dave Lawley, Joel P-H, and the ever-determined Mark Herbert, whose sprint finish overtaking at least 7 athletes, was a sight to behold.
Parliament Hill is more than a race—it’s an experience. Don’t miss your chance to run it in February. It’s one you’ll never forget!
Cecily also had this to add…
After a week of illness, Suzy sadly withdrew, so 6 of us lined up on Parliament Hill for what is usually the muddiest and hilliest course of the season. Unfortunately (or fortunately for some) the course was somewhat hard underfoot, which meant the race was faster than previous years.
I led the team home in 21st place, followed by Edel McKeever (70th), Claire Warner (117th), Rebecca Bissell (134th) and Carol Aikin (157th). Sadly a sneaky, leaf-covered tree root took down our 6th runner Clare Day in the first lap, who made the wise decision to duck out not long after that. Luckily the damage seemed to be limited to a rather impressive swollen arm.
With 4 to score, our team placed a very respectable 15th out of 25 teams. Thanks to the men for coming early to cheer and our supporters including Narissa, Phil and Ellie.
Weekend Highlights
big shout outs to..
🏙️ New York Marathon (3 Nov): Rebecca Bissell, Kathy Henry, Paul Scullion, Chris Lepine, Ian Grange and Tom Reay 💪
🌳 Wimbledon Trail Half (3 Nov): Sally Bamford and John Cadogan
🏋️♂️ Spartan Trifecta World Champs (1 – 3 Nov): Oli Hickson
🏔️ Surrey League #2 (9 Nov): Div 1 Women’s Team placed 11th @ Beckenham Place; and Div 2 Men’s Team placed 3rd @ Oxted
💚 To be included in our Weekend Highlights, share your celebrations & achievements with a pic, a result and a 5-word review in the ‘General Club Chat’ group. Join via WhatsApp Community or this link: https://chat.whatsapp.com/EOXovU5nMK00H9faojuPOm 👈
NOTICES:
🎽 Ranelagh Kit:
We’ve stopped sales of the old kit now, as we hope to have new updated kit by January 2025. More information and details as soon as we have them and thank you in advance for your patience and forbearance. In the interim, we will be launching a ‘Kit Amnesty Box’ in the clubhouse, where you can borrow a piece of race kit for free; please just bring it back after washed & cleaned.
🎙️ RunAlive Podcast Season 4
Our running universe is complete again; Ranelagh’s favourite podcast – RunAlive – Season 4 is back! Hosted by Ranelagh member Ed Perry & friends, this is not your normal running podcast – you won’t hear chat about splits and training tips, but rather what we can all learn from the guests’ lives and experiences, with running being the thread that joins it all together 🥰
1️⃣ Details @ www.runalive.co.uk👈
2️⃣ Subscribe @ https://open.spotify.com/show/2sVes1jFMwSvFe8SfI5Sj0👈 or wherever you get your podcasts from
3️⃣ Join their Strava Club @ https://strava.app.link/ocOMIV5y5Fb👈
🥛 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/ 👈
💙💛 Ranelagh Half Marathon | Sunday 11 May @ 8.30am
Early Bird prices are LIVE! Entries for our 10k will open very soon but you can enter the 2025 Ranelagh Half Marathon (11 May @ 8.30am) NOW for only £32 UKA/£34 non. For instant entry, head to https://bit.ly/ranelagh-half 👈
