February Notices
Howdy Ranelights.
We made it through January!
Having said that, despite February being a shorter month, there’s no sign of a slow-down — especially on the racing front.
It’s been a brilliant XC season for our women, who finished 7th in the Surrey League, climbing two places from last year. With real strength in depth, standout age-group performances and fantastic commitment across the fixtures, this marks a big step forward for our fabulous ladies.
Not to be outdone, our men delivered an outstanding campaign to be crowned Division 2 champions, earning a well-deserved promotion back to Division 1. Dominant team results and individual honours across the board made it a season to be proud of from start to finish.
A huge shout-out to both teams for these superb results — read on below for the fuller story and the performances that made it happen.
After the fun of XC mud, it’s time for tarmac as the 2026 Surrey Road League gets underway with the Valentines 10K this Sunday. With eight races and your best four counting across team and individual competitions, there’s something for everyone.
Closer to home, don’t miss the Clutton Cup on 28 February. This free, 10-mile handicap cross-country race is perfect for half and full marathon training — and offers a chance to lift one of our oldest cups.
Looking ahead, please save the dates for our two away mobs on 7 and 14 March, against South London Harriers and Orion Harriers, as we aim to continue our winning streak and complete a clean sweep.
Finally, don’t miss the Baker Cup Awards Night — places are limited and going fast, so book now to avoid missing out.
PRIORITY dates
FIXTURES
▪️Sat 28 Feb Clutton Cup 10 miles handicap @ Richmond Park. Enter @ https://forms.gle/qWN56uRixyhvZvgBA
▪️Sat 7 Mar Mob Match vs South London Harriers @ Farthing Downs. Sign up on the day.
▪️Sat 14 Mar Mob Match vs Orion Harriers @ Epping Forest. Sign up on the day.
SOCIALS
▪️Sun 22 Feb Ranelagh Sunday Coffee Club 8 - 11am. End - or start - your long runs with free coffee, warm croissants & great company. All welcome.
▪️Fri 13 Mar Baker Cup Awards 2026 @ Winchester Room, Turks Head. Places going fast! Details & booking @ https://ranelagh-harriers.co.uk/baker-awards-2026
REMINDERS
▪️Volunteer: We need help to keep our monthly Sunday Coffee Club going. Contact Maia or Rick via WhatsApp or email coordinator@ranelagh-harriers.co.uk
Please also save the following dates to volunteer or run (or both!):
▪️10 May Ranelagh Half
▪️21 June Ranelagh 10K
▪️3 July Sunset Sprint
▪️Clutton Cup: Please contact Narissa via WhatsApp or email coordinator@ranelagh-harriers.co.uk if you can help out.
COMING UP
FIXTURES
▪️Sat 15 Feb Valentines 10K @ Chessington
▪️Sat 21 Feb English National XC Champs @ County Durham
▪️Sat 28 Feb Clutton Cup 10 miles handicap @ Richmond Park
▪️Sat 7 Mar Mob Match vs South London Harriers @ Farthing Downs
▪️Sat 14 Mar Mob Match vs Orion Harriers @ Epping Forest
For entry details, head to https://ranelagh-harriers.co.uk/fixtures ⬅️
SOcial / community
▪️Fri 13 Mar Baker Cup Awards 2026 @ Winchester Room, Turks Head. Details & booking @ https://ranelagh-harriers.co.uk/baker-awards-2026
▪️Sun 26 Apr: Medal Sunday Club Social 7pm @ TBC (a pub). Celebrate Ranelagh’s spring marathon achievements with our London Marathon finishers!
baker cup awards 2026
Friday 13 March in the Winchester Room at the Turks Head, St Margarets
Since 1911, the Baker Cup has been part of Ranelagh’s story. On 13 March, we’ll gather for our annual trophy prize-giving night to celebrate that legacy, this year’s trophy winners, and the club spirit that brings us all together.
Drinks from 7.00pm, food at 7.30pm - buffet dinner with dessert, awards presentations, and entertainment. Partners are welcome, and whether you’re collecting a trophy or simply joining in the fun, it’s a relaxed celebratory evening for all the club.
Tickets: £35 per person, spaces are limited to 75.
We’re getting close to selling out, so don’t delay.
performance Roundup
▪️Latest roundup of the Women’s achievements @ The Blue Wave >
▪️Latest roundup of the Men’s achievements @ The Blue & Amber >
The 2025 Surrey League XC season delivered everything we could hope for — progress, promotion, standout performances and a huge collective effort that showed the strength and spirit of our club from start to finish.
From our Women’s Vice-Captain, Cecily Day:
Our ladies finished 7th in the league, 2 places up from last season. Couple of standouts from the ladies team across the season. Suzy came joint 2nd with Nic Douglas in the 35+ category and Clare Day came 5th in the 55+ category. We had very strong 3rd and 4th fixtures thanks to speedy new recruits Betsy Griffiths and Becky Dannatt, and the return of Sarah Palmer, joining me and Suzy.
Well done and thanks to Aoife, Lizzie, Natalie and Edel for being ever-presents and part of a scoring team in all 4 races. We also had many more ladies who made their SL debut this season, many of them returning for multiple races - Claire Woolf, Fiona Smith, Robyn Smith, Sarah Cogswell, Kate Browning and Sally Minchella.
▪️Match 4A Wimbledon Common full results >
From our Men’s Captain, Jonny Smith:
Delighted to say we are confirmed as Division 2 Champions for the Surrey XC League! Woking pipped us again yesterday but overall we held on to a 100+ point lead and gained promotion to Division 1. The B team also won their 3rd fixture to comfortably round out as the best Division 2 B team of the year. This is testament to the brilliant turnout we had from across all the training groups this season, with over 30 sign ups for most races.
Peter Cook took home the WIN in yesterday's race with a stunning performance, which also confirmed him as the overall individual champion for the season. Pete Robins also claimed 3rd place yesterday in a fantastic run after missing the earlier fixtures. Marc Leyshon was the joint winner in the V45 category after a season-long battle with his nemesis, Duncan Woolmer of Walton. TBC how that one might be decided. Ted Mockett was 3rd V45 for the season.
Peter Haarer dominated the V55 category, coming 1st in the first three races. Mike Morris was 2nd overall and was 1st V55 in yesterday's race. It's been a superb season and thanks to everyone who has raced or supported. And in particular to Narissa and Simon M for refereeing/marshalling our races. We're looking forward to racing with the ladies again in October following their excellent season. Onto the mobs and the road league. Razzle dazzle!
▪️Match 4B Lloyd Park full results >
A remarkable team effort that showcased the strength, spirit, and camaraderie of our club from start to finish. What a wonderful result for everyone involved - a huge thank you to our hardworking captains and vice-captains, and well done to all our runners.
Social Roundup
27 Jan Tuesday - Pizza Night - Social: Pizza night at our clubhouse was a big hit, and delivered exactly what it promised - a fantastic turnout and a warm, lively atmosphere that brought members together from across all training groups. It was great to see so many staying on after their session to catch up, refuel, and enjoy the social side of club life.
Huge thanks our Social Secretaries - especially Hadi - and other organisers for putting on such a well-run evening. Thanks too to our Head Coach James Riley for adding an extra highlight by regaling us with tales from his recent Spine Race — equal parts inspiring, entertaining, and slightly terrifying.
CAN YOU HELP?
Now in its third running, the Ranelagh Sunday Coffee Club is already proving a big hit, offering a welcoming post-run space for everyone to relax and catch up.
To keep this great new tradition going, we’re looking for a few volunteers to lend a hand on Sunday 22 February, at any point between 8–11am. Looking ahead, we’d like to build a small team to join a simple rota for the coming weeks — ideally two (or more!) volunteers per Sunday to share the load.
The role is straightforward and only needed around once a month: pick up pastries, check tea and coffee supplies, open the clubhouse, pop the heating on, then help with clearing up and locking up. All expenses are fully reimbursed and plenty of support will be provided.
If you can help (even for one Sunday), please email coordinator@ranelagh-harriers.co.uk >
Surrey road League
With another hugely successful cross country season behind us, it’s time to shift focus to the next chapter of racing. Spring and summer bring fresh opportunities to race together, contribute to the team, and build on the momentum we’ve created — and the Surrey Road League is a great place to start.
If you’re planning to race over the next few months, this is well worth getting involved in — read more about the Surrey Road League and how it works here >
If you’re taking part, don’t forget to make the most of the early-bird prices for the Ranelagh 10K while they’re still available.
The league gets underway this weekend with the Valentines 10K, and as ever, our key home events — the Ranelagh Half (Sunday 10 May) and the Ranelagh 10K (Sunday 21 June) — form part of the series, making them ideal targets to lock into the diary now.
Early bird prices for the Ranelagh 10K will end 28 February!
We’re also hoping to be able to open entries for our third event - the Sunset Sprint 3K - very soon. Watch this space.
This year’s series includes eight races, with your best four results counting, make the most of our early-bird prices and secure your entries now.
Training
Although the days are getting slightly longer, it’s still pretty dark out there. And the weather isn’t particularly warm - or dry - either.
Therefore a reminder to continue wearing appropriate clothing - hi-vis/reflective, warm clothing — not just during training, but also when travelling to and from the clubhouse or track. Plus don’t forget your lights or head/chest torches - staying visible is key to staying safe.
For Tuesdays’ sessions, please meet at our clubhouse for 7pm. Find the latest training schedules here >
A deer cull is in operation in Richmond Park from 1 February, for a period up to 6 weeks. During this time, pedestrian gates will close at night 20:00 until 07:30 (except Friday and Saturday night).
For Thursdays’ track, please meet at Osterley track for 7.30pm. Find the latest training schedules here >
Notices
Club
1️⃣ KUDOS: To club stalwart James Ritchie for placing 2nd in the Winterfold 55, a single loop 55-mile course taking in Surrey's most iconic trails including sections of the North Downs Way and the Greensands Way.
2️⃣ READ: This Runners World article (subscription required) by member Chris Hunton who ran the Urban Bourbon Half-Marathon in Louisville, Kentucky last autumn @ https://gb.readly.com/magazines/runners-world-uk/2026-02-04/69803d98fcd2bf5e22e8f447
3️⃣ DISCOUNT: 10% on any purchase at member Dominic Marchant’s company www.RunRiotWear.com. See General Club Chat group on WhatsApp Community for the code.
4️⃣ OFFER: Women’s Vice-Captain Suzy Whatmough is offering sports and clinical massage appointments on Saturdays at The Maris Practice in Twickenham, with an introductory £15 off until the end of April and special Ranelagh member discounts coming from May. Please contact her via WhatsApp Community.
5️⃣ KIT: If you’ve ordered kit, please message our Kit Secretary Agnes Nagy via WhatsApp Community to arrange collection.
6️⃣ SHARE: Your running related celebrations & achievements in our ‘General Club Chat’ group. We love seeing what you get up to!
Community
1️⃣ SOCIAL: STRAGGLERS QUIZ NIGHT Friday 20 February @ 7pm. Bushy Park Sports Club. £15/person inc Indian meal. ALL WELCOME. Book @ https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc2iYTS1hRhIXlEYhBpar1ZYVn991Yru3gyDPi4EsWnS4Y4Fg/viewform
2️⃣ EVENT: EAST SHEEN UP & RUNNING Saturday 14 February @ 12pm. Free in-store event to celebrate their new refit. Guided 5km run, Saucony shoe try-ons and prizes, exclusive discounts, and post-run treats for runners of all levels. Booking @ https://www.eventbrite.com/e/saucony-x-ur-run-new-east-sheen-store-tickets-1982347269045?aff=oddtdtcreator
3️⃣ LAUNCH: PROFEET LTD Tuesday 17 February @ 6.30pm. Invitation to an evening with author & marathon runner Emma Kirk-Odunubi to celebrate the launch of Find Your Pace. Talk, Q&A, drinks & a signed copy of the book. Details @ https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/running-clubs-find-your-pace-tickets-1982298109006?aff=oddtdtcreator
4️⃣ RACE: THAMES TOWPATH 10 Sunday 12 April @ 8.30am. Everyone’s favourite fast, flat and scenic 10-mile Thames-side route. Entries @ https://www.west4harriers.com/thames-towpath-10-mile-2026/
5️⃣ RACE: EPSOM ODDBALLS 2000 PERCH 10K Friday 26 June @ 7pm Epsom Downs. Fully chip-timed, EA licenced 10K summer trail race. £22 early bird until 30 April (or first 300 runners). Enter @ https://register.enthuse.com/ps/event/EpsomOddballs2000Perch2026
6️⃣ FUNDRAISE: RAPE CRISIS SOUTH LONDON Sunday 8 March @ Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Support survivors by taking part in a sponsored 5k or 10k at the Women’s Run Series on International Women’s Day. Free entry, vest, medal and fundraising support options available (limited places). Details @ https://runforcharity.com/charity-landing-page/rape-crisis-south-london/womens-run-series
7️⃣ SUPPORT: Xempo are looking for pacers for races in Feb, March & April. Details @ https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScyqVNU1UVOnzjh6-rLsRvDVtHt7WBTPCyEeEJGCzcMGWBgfQ/viewform >
