Sept Reminders
Howdy Ranelights.
Two weeks into the new season and OMG, so much has already happened.
And so much more yet to come - and that’s just for the remainder of September, let along the forthcoming cross-country season.
So read on please for some handy reminders and related notices…
1. can you help?
A heartfelt plea from Phil Andrews:
Hi everyone! I have a request for help - to volunteer at a water station for the Richmond marathon this Sunday morning (14 Sep) at the Old Deer Park from 7 to 11am.
Our club has a strong partnership with Runfest, which has helped enhance our Half & 10K events. In return, we support Runfest at their major events, such as the Richmond Marathon, by helping at water and drinks stations.
All equipment is provided, and volunteers simply set up, hand out refreshments, and pack away. Not only will we be cheering our club mates who are running, we will also be helping to promote our club to other runners!
If you are able to help (for some or all of the time) pls message me directly via WhatsApp Community or email coordinator@ranelagh-harriers.co.uk
2. fixtures
▪️Page Cup Handicap | Saturday 20 Sept | Richmond Park @ 3pm: Don’t miss out on our next XC handicap fixture; 5 miles/8km to vie for the one of our club’s oldest trophies.
Medals to the first 3 finishers, the 3 fastest open and the 3 fastest women. The first (non-guest) across the line will take home the Page Cup. Entries close Wed 17 Sept. Details & entry @ https://forms.gle/2usY5xh2uSqRzVYN8 ⬅️
If you’re not running, we would appreciate your support in volunteering. Please contact Andy Bickerstaff or Narissa Vox via WhatsApp Community if you can help out.
▪️South of England Road Relays | Saturday 20 Sept | Aldershot @ 1.35pm: 6km per leg; teams of 3 - 6 depending on age categories @ the Rushmoore Arena.
Note: This clashes with the Page Cup Handicap but if you would like to take part, please contact your captains via ranelagh.men@gmail.com or ranelagh.women@gmail.com
Looking ahead, the following fixtures are confirmed(ish):
▪️Surrey Clubs Relays | Sat 27 September | Nonsuch Park
▪️Surrey XC League #1 | Sat 11 October | Div 1 Oxted Holland Sports | Div 2 Richmond Park
▪️SEAA XC Relays | Sun 18 October | Wormwood Scrubs
▪️Surrey Masters XC Champs | Sat25 October | Nonsuch Park
▪️Milocarians Invitational | Sat 25 October | Sandhurst
▪️SEAA London XC Champs | Sat 8 November | Parliament Hill
▪️Surrey XC League #2 | Sat 15 November | Div 1 Beckenham | Div 2 Oxted
▪️Mob Match vs Thames Hare & Hounds | Saturday 22 November | Richmond Park
For details on how to enter & latest fixtures please keep checking https://ranelagh-harriers.co.uk/fixtures ⬅️
3. Surrey League Div 2
Meetings have been had, suppliers have been booked, applications made and entries will hopefully open soon.
So far so good as our club prepares to host the first Division 2 & 3 match of the Surrey League XC in Richmond Park on Saturday 11 October.
Your help is crucial to the success of this event as we need all hands on deck to help out with a variety of roles. Without your support, this event would simply be unable to proceed safely and reflect badly on our club’s organising experience.
No experience is necessary, simply your time and commitment - if you’ve helped out at parkrun, you can definitely help out at this event. For those running on the day, there will be roles that you can do after your race.
Please don’t delay - to help us plan properly, kindly fill in this form @ https://forms.gle/LGKVfLAAEaRtzvmo9 ⬅️ as soon as you can.
Thank you!
4. RACE REPORTs
🎽 River Relay | Sunday 31 August | Boveney to Bushy Park
Here’s the race report, courtesy our lovely Women’s Captain, Aoife Kilpatrick:
On 31st August, the River Relay, a baton relay run across five stages from Boveney to Bushy Park, took place. This year marked the first time the event finished at Bushy Park Sports Club rather than the Hawker Centre, resulting in a slight change to Stage 5.
The stages ranged from 4.4 to 6.51 miles over friendly terrain, covering a total distance of approximately 27.2 miles. The event was well-marshalled, even though some of us had done a recce and still carried maps and instructions (as per the GBR!) just in case!
A huge thank you goes to Hadi, who took on the complex task of organising our teams, a job made even trickier by inevitable last-minute dropouts due to injury and numerous specific leg requests. Despite these challenges, Hadi kept a cool head and successfully entered three Ranelagh teams.
Team A: Dave Ready, Matt Hirschler, Chris Davidson, Marc Leyshon, Aoife Kilpatrick
Team B: Vaughan Ramsay, Natalie Harrer, Stewart Stanton, Simon Beal, Oli Olgen
Team C: Lloyd Camp, Ally Salisbury, Felix von Schubert, Solene Pezot, Tom Brown
The event was thoroughly enjoyed by all, even if, as Marc L put it, “it felt like a solo time trial” at times, and was a bit of a struggle for many due to the heat. Nevertheless, the general consensus was that it was a fantastic, well-organised event and well worth entering.
A massive congratulations to everyone involved, especially as two of our teams placed 5th and 11th out of 66 teams! A great effort all round, and a big thank you once again to Hadi, as well as the drivers and supporters who helped make it all happen.
🏆 Thomas Cup | Saturday 6 Sept | Richmond Park
The hugest of THANK YOUs to everyone involved with realising our traditional opening fixture for 2025/2026, the Thomas Cup.
The entire day completely encapsulated our club’s vision and values of being welcoming, inclusive and friendly while celebrating our heritage.
It wouldn’t have been possible without each and every one of you coming together to make it happen - Rah Rah Rah Ranelagh
📸 by Stephen Hird
5. TRAINING
Autumn is well and truly here - and it’s getting cooler in the evenings too. So please dress appropriately - not just for when you’re running, but also for after to avoid catching a chill as you cool down.
The days are also getting shorter so while you may start your sessions in the light, you will most definitely be ending them in the dark.
So please remember to bring your head lights/ running torches and consider wearing reflective/hi-vis clothing so that you remain safe at all times.
For tips/suggestions on lights, torches and other items suitable for night running, simply ask your coaches or leaders.
A reminder that for Tuesdays’ sessions, please meet at our clubhouse for 7pm; and for Thursdays’ track, please meet at Osterley Park track for 7.30pm.
For Tuesdays in Richmond Park, please be mindful of the deer. The deer mating season, also known as the rut, starts now and continues through October and November.
It’s extremely important to be particularly vigilant and to keep as much distance as possible - at least 50 metres away - from the deer, and never touch, feed or attempt to photograph them at closer range.
If you don’t fancy deer dodging in the dark, why not try Thursdays’ sessions at Osterley Track?
It’s suitable for all levels, is well lit throughout and everyone trains together.
Our track sessions are aimed at improving speed endurance, and as you can tailor the session to suit, it’s ideal for those looking to improve, as well as those coming back from injury.
Best of all there’s a monthly curry night, with the next one planned for next Thursday 18 September. All are welcome, whether you decide to train beforehand or not.
Any questions about track (or the curry night), please reach out to Phil Roberts, or Maia Rushby via WhatsApp Community.
6. Club Kit: Update
Get ready - our winter kit is coming!!
On the cards are 1/4 zip training tops (long sleeved), casual oversized relaxed hoodies and bobble hats.
So watch this space for details - we hope to be able to have this available to order shortly.
We will also be replenishing the kit store with supplies of the race kit, so don’t worry if your size is currently not available.
And finally, if you’ve recently ordered kit but haven’t collected it yet, please message Agnes Nagy, our Kit Secretary via WhatsApp Community, or send an email via coordinator@ranelagh-harriers.co.uk ⬅️
7. CLUB SUBS
An ongoing reminder, if you haven’t already, to please renew your subs for 2025/2026 as soon as possible using the account details below:
Beneficiary Bank: HSBC
Sort code: 40-23-29
Account Number: 81109847
Account Name: Ranelagh Harriers
For any other methods of payment, please go to www.ranelagh-harriers.co.uk/join-info.
Where applicable, your payment includes registration with England Athletics, which will allow you to represent our club in official races. You will also receive a £2 discount on most other race entries, plus other benefits and discounts as offered by England Athletics.
Once you have paid your subs, we will register you with them. Should you have any queries regarding renewing your membership, please email the Membership Secretary.
NOTE: By paying your subs, you agree go to the England Athletics site, to accept and abide by the relevant codes of conduct relating to your role(s) within the club.
8. NOTICES
💙 Share: Your running or running related celebrations & achievements in our ‘General Club Chat’ group. Please contact Ed or Narissa via WhatsAppCommunity to be added. We love seeing what you get up to!
