March Notices
Howdy Ranelights.
March may bring the first hints of spring…
… but clearly there’s no easing gently into it — the calendar is absolutely stacked and the racing momentum across our club is high!
The call out for our mob builds to a crescendo with two away fixtures in rapid succession — SLH on 7 March, followed by the final showdown against Orion on 14 March.
Nb: Yes, we have the Baker Cup Awards Night on 13 March, when we come together to celebrate our legacy, our trophies and the people who make this club what it is. Admittedly there might be some slightly heavy legs (and heads!).
But if history has taught us anything, it’s this: a hangover has never stopped Ranelagh from delivering when it matters. We wouldn’t have it any other way — go big in celebration, then turn up and race.
Beyond the mobs, the road racing season is also shifting into gear. After a superb cross-country campaign, we’re aiming for faster, flatter tarmac miles as the 2026 Surrey Road League gets underway. Last year we finished an agonising second to Woking — so this year’s mission is simple: go one better.
Eight races, your best four to count. It’s a true squad effort: the first three women and first four open score at each race, and every position matters. If you’re already racing our home events, just one more result could see you scoring individually and for our club.
So join the charge- as we look to extend our mob winning streak AND make this a big season on the roads too.
PRIORITY dates
FIXTURES
▪️Sat 7 Mar Mob Match vs South London Harriers @ Farthing Downs. Sign up on the day. Details @ https://ranelagh-harriers.co.uk/news/slhmob-2026
▪️Sat 14 Mar Mob Match vs Orion Harriers @ Epping Forest. Sign up on the day. Details coming soon.
▪️Sat 18 Apr Baker Cup 3 mile handicap. 2.30pm Richmond Park. Entries opening soon.
SOCIALS
▪️Fri 13 Mar Baker Cup Awards 2026 @ Winchester Room, Turks Head. Only 10 places left! Details & booking @ https://ranelagh-harriers.co.uk/baker-awards-2026
▪️Sun 29 Mar Ranelagh Sunday Coffee Club 8 to 11am. End - or start - your long runs with free coffee, warm croissants & great company. All welcome.
REMINDERS
▪️Volunteer: We need everyone’s help for the following events. Sign up form coming soon:
▪️10 May Ranelagh Half
▪️21 June Ranelagh 10K
▪️3 July Sunset Sprint
▪️Help keep our monthly Sunday Coffee Club going. Contact Maia or Rick via WhatsApp or email coordinator@ranelagh-harriers.co.uk
COMING UP
FIXTURES
▪️Sat 7 Mar Mob Match vs South London Harriers @ Farthing Downs
▪️Sat 14 Mar Mob Match vs Orion Harriers @ Epping Forest
▪️Sat 28 Mar Kew 10K @ Kew Gardens (Surrey Road League #2)
▪️Sat 18 Apr Baker Cup Handicap @ Richmond Park
▪️Sun 19 Apr Sutton 10K @ Nonsuch Park (Surrey Road League #3)
For full details, head to https://ranelagh-harriers.co.uk/fixtures ⬅️
SOcial / community
▪️Fri 13 Mar Baker Cup Awards 2026 @ Winchester Room, Turks Head. Last 10 places! https://ranelagh-harriers.co.uk/baker-awards-2026
▪️Tue 21 Apr: SAVE THE DATE. Hear about our club’s future plans. From 8pm. Details below.
▪️Sun 26 Apr: Medal Sunday Club Social 7pm @ Fox & Duck (TBC). Celebrate Ranelagh’s spring marathon achievements with our London Marathon finishers!
Mob Match Call-Out!
Our club needs EVERY. SINGLE. ONE. of you this Saturday and next!
The mud, the miles, and the madness are back — and our mob won’t be complete without you. Push yourself, race with your clubmates, and show the course what club spirit really looks like.
Whether you’re in it for the glory, the laughs, or just the camaraderie, every stride counts and every runner matters. This Saturday & next — mark your diaries, lace up your trainers, and join the fun.
▪️7 March vs South London Harriers @ Farthing Downs >
Details for 14 March vs Orion Harriers @ Epsom Downs coming soon.
baker cup awards 2026
Friday 13 March @ Winchester Room, 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, buffet dinner with dessert from 7.30pm, followed by awards and entertainment - for just £35 per person. Partners welcome. Whether you’re collecting a trophy or simply joining in the fun, it’s a relaxed celebratory evening for all.
Only 10 places left, so don’t wait or you’ll miss out.
performance Roundup
▪️Latest roundup of the Women’s achievements @ The Blue Wave >
▪️Latest roundup of the Men’s achievements @ The Blue & Amber >
Sunday 15 Feb: Valentines 10K
The cold, sleety rain and a course that felt far more Jack Frost than St Valentine’s didn’t stop 14 Ranelagh Harriers turning out in force for the Valentines 10k — delivering grit, determination and no shortage of heart.
Leading the charge was ‘love-hearts’ Ed Perry, finishing first for Ranelagh in a swift 36:53. Close behind came ‘poster pin-ups’ Graham Weller (37:23) and Andy Starr (37:54), both running strongly in the V50–59 category and falling head over heels with each other to keep the Ranelagh love-fest going.
Meanwhile ‘dreamboats’ Vaughan Ramsay, Neil Rae and Frances Wilding dug deep as the headwinds tried their best to break hearts across the course. At the tail end, ‘heartbreakers’ Narissa Vox, Robert (& Michelle) Hillhouse, David Kew and Tom Reay proved that sometimes true love means sticking with it to the finish — whatever the weather throws your way.
Cupid may well have been trying to keep warm elsewhere, but the love was firmly on the roads. With the Surrey Road League now underway, and last year’s agonising near-miss to Woking still fresh in the memory — the message is clear: we’ve got the passion, the commitment, and perhaps just enough heartbreak to go one better this year.
Sat 28 Feb: Clutton Cup
Sunshine returned for the 2026 Clutton Cup, but the thrills, spills and famously boggy mud ensured it remained a classic afternoon of hard racing, Type II fun and strong club spirit from start to finish. In the end, it was John Ricketts who judged the handicap perfectly to take the cup, followed by Rachel Revett and Graham Brook after ten testing miles across Richmond Park.
▪️Race report and results @ https://ranelagh-harriers.co.uk/news/2026-clutton
Surrey road League
With another strong cross-country season behind us, it’s time to turn our attention to spring and summer racing. The Surrey Road League is back, offering the perfect chance to race together, contribute to the team, and build on the momentum we’ve created.
Last year we came agonisingly close to the title, finishing second to Woking — this year the mission is simple: go one better. The series includes eight races, with your best four results counting. Every place matters: the first three women and first four open runners score for the club, so even one more race could put you in the mix individually and for the team.
Read more about how it works here >
The league is already underway with the Valentines 10K, and our key home fixtures — the Ranelagh Half on 10 May and the Ranelagh 10K on 21 June — are must-do dates.
Enter the Ranelagh 10K (21 June) >
Enter the Ranelagh Half (10 May) >
STOP PRESS: We are THRILLED to say that Sunset Sprint 3k has received approval to go ahead so lock in your diary for Friday 3 July. Entries will open very soon.
PS: don’t forget to join the Surrey Road League 2026 group via WhatsApp Community or contact Vice-Captain Gareth H. for any questions or details. Join the squad as we chase the title together!
Ranelagh: The Next 10 Years
Save the date: Tuesday 21st April | Clubhouse | From 8pm
Be part of shaping the future of Ranelagh!
At the last AGM, members approved a year-long trial of a new committee structure to explore moving our club to a CIO (Charitable Incorporated Organisation). Since then, the Constitution Committee has been reviewing the rules and legal pathways to ensure we get it right.
Join us on 21st April to hear about our exciting plans for the next decade, where you can hear the latest updates, understand what this means for our club and ask questions. We’ll also be sharing exciting developments, including plans to make our clubhouse space more social, more versatile, and better for training, events, and community gatherings.
Everyone is welcome — come along, enjoy free drinks and nibbles, and have your say in shaping the next chapter of Ranelagh. Don’t miss it!
Training
Woo hoo - the days are getting slightly longer but it’s still not bright enough to leave our lights at home. And even though we’re enjoying some lovely sunshine, it’s still a wee bit chilly.
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 >
The next track curry night at the Gymkhana will be on Thursday 5 March. All are welcome whether you’re training or not.
Notices
Club
1️⃣ BIG IN JAPAN: Shout out to Kathy Henry and Rebecca Bissell, who smashed the Tokyo Marathon, earning their six stars through sheer grit and determination! A remarkable achievement that perfectly embodies the power of friendship and the magic of marathon miles.
2️⃣ REMINDER: Be part of the team gunning to reclaim the title at the South Downs Way Relay, Sat 6 June — epic trails, teamwork, drama & celebration. Sign up @ https://forms.gle/Pfc8SteDoQfhr7e39 Closing date Friday 6 March.
3️⃣ 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 end April and special Ranelagh member discounts from May. Please contact her via WhatsApp Community.
4️⃣ 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 or contact Dominic directly.
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 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/
2️⃣ 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
3️⃣ 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
4️⃣ SUPPORT: Xempo are looking for pacers for races in Feb, March & April. Details @ https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScyqVNU1UVOnzjh6-rLsRvDVtHt7WBTPCyEeEJGCzcMGWBgfQ/viewform >
