May 2025
Howdy Ranelights.
With April featuring the start of spring marathon fever in Ranelagh-land, one could be forgiven for hoping that May would offer a chance to take a step, draw breath and recover from such exciting racing.
But sadly, there’s no rest for the wicked (read runners) as May, asides from being the first official month of spring, is proving to be equally as exciting and electrifying a month for races.
So to find out what’s coming up, as well as a look back at some of the races in April, please read on…
1. RANELAGH HALF
▪️18 places left! At the time of press, there are only 18 places left, and we are likely to sell out very soon. So if you haven’t secured your entry yet, head to www.ranelagh-harriers.co.uk/races2025 ⬅️ NOW or you will miss out. UPDATE, May 7: The Ranelagh Half is now sold out! A huge thank you to everyone who has entered.
▪️PLEASE HELP The organising team are busy working behind the scenes to ensure a great, well-organised and safe event for everyone. Crucial to this is having marshals on course, and in light of the event likely to be sold you, we really need marshals for the following areas & times:
Richmond Bridge & Cambridge Gardens: from 9am to 10.15am
Twickenham Church Street & King Street: from 9.10am to 10.30am
Ham (from Half Mile Tree to Riverside Drive): from 9.30am to 11.15am
We also have roles available if you can only offer a limited amount of time, and roles that are compatible with running the race.
In return for your help, we would like to offer a FREE coffee or ice cream from our race vendors at the start or finish, as well as a THANK YOU drink after the race on Tuesday evening 13 May @ The Fox & Duck.
Sadly this year, we are extremely short of volunteers - so if you can spare some time to help, please message Narissa or Oli via WhatsApp Community, or email coordinator@ranelagh-harriers.co.uk ASAP.
2. fixtures⬇️
▪️Wimbledon Trail Series Race 1 | Wednesday 7 May @ 7pm | Wimbledon Common: First race in a series of 3, Ranelagh’s very own Andy Bickerstaff’s popular Wednesday evening summer trail series, this year’s marking the 11th edition.
Featuring 5 miles through scenic Wimbledon Common, the start is at the iconic windmill and offers a traffic free route. Large free car park at the start. All finishers receive what is easily the ugliest design ever seen on a mug, plus chocolate bar and fruit.
There are series and individual medals/prizes and team prizes (you must wear a club vest). All entrants must be 17 or over. Full event details & entry @ https://www.goodrunguide.co.uk/RaceDetails.asp?RaceID=32634 ⬅️
▪️Ranelagh Half Marathon | Sunday 11 May @ 8.30am | Ham: 18 places and counting left. Head to www.ranelagh-harriers.co.uk/ranelagh-half ⬅️ and if you’re not running, please VOLUNTEER!
▪️Hogsmill 5 | Sunday 18 May | Epsom: Epsom Allsorts ever-popular annual women-only race. With no cut-off time, it’s the perfect target for absolute beginners. Warm, friendly atmosphere with cake stall, what more do you need?
Enter @ https://register.enthuse.com/ps/event/Hogsmill52025 ⬅️
▪️Coad Cup Handicap | Tuesday 27 May @7pm | Richmond Park: Donated to our club in 1947 by W H Coad, who won said cup outright in a 5 miles club steeplechase in 1882. He expressed a desire for the race to be held during the summer months, resulting in a much loved 5 mile handicap race open to all members.
FREE for all members, and suitable for all abilities, enter by 23 May @ https://bit.ly/coad-2025 ⬅️
All 2024/2025 fixtures @ https://ranelagh-harriers.co.uk/fixtures-2024-2025/ ⬅️
3. RACE REPORTS ⬇️
⛰️ 70th Annual Yorkshire 3 Peaks Race | Saturday 26 March | Yorkshire: Escaping the hubbub of London marathon weekend, a core group of Ranelagh’s headed to the peaks to test their mettle. Race report by Men’s Captain, James Riley:
“ Ranelagh on the Fells!
The weekend’s other big event, the Yorkshire 3 Peaks Race, featured another Olympic triathlon champion — Alistair Brownlee — who finished third on the famous course.
After a promising forecast, race day delivered a warm, humid, and sticky challenge to the 10 brave Ranelites taking to the start line, with still air and bursts of sunshine making the climbs even tougher.
Captain James Riley got Ranelagh off to a flying start (too fast in the heat, as it turned out), leading the charge until he was reeled in by VC Jonathan Smith on Pen-y-Ghent.
James hit back on the descent after Jonathan was forced to stop and strip off a base layer as the temperature climbed. James gamely held the advantage until Ingleborough, where the early exertions finally caught up with him.
Jonathan took full advantage, pulling away and putting six minutes into James on the final descent to the finish.
Fresh back from injury, Suzy Whatmough showed her class, working steadily through the field to finish as third Ranelagh runner home and 11th woman overall — her trademark pacing proving spot-on in the tough conditions.
Full results are below, with the Ranelagh men’s team — Jonathan, James, Matthias Mueller, and James Ritchie — proudly finishing as the highest-placed southern team, in 11th overall!”
▪️All results >
▪️Ranelagh results >
🥇 London marathon | Sunday 27 April | London: For such an iconic event, it’s impossible to have a succinct race report from any individual. Like our great city, London marathon reflects the diversity of everyone involved; whether running, volunteering or supporting.
All in all, 26 Ranelagh finished, 7 of them women. Each and every one of them had their own story to tell, their own reason for being there and their own goal to achieve.
Conditions were tough that day for all runners; irrespective of ability and experience. The warm weather was conducive to spectating and supporting; with tens of thousands filling the streets to cheer everyone on.
With an official record-breaking 56,640 finishers, with easily 3 times that many in the crowd; we hear from Candice Goddard, the first of our club ballot winners:
“ Running the London Marathon was an unforgettable, bucket-list experience that I will cherish forever. The heat made the challenge even tougher, but the energy from the crowds and the overwhelming support along the route kept me going.
One of the most special moments was spotting Deborah and Katrina fellow Inter 3 members, volunteering and cheering along the route - it gave me such a boost.
I feel incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to be part of such an iconic event, especially in a year with a record number of participants. Thank you Ranelagh!
Although it took me a long time to cross the finish line, I’m proud to say I still managed to beat the Body Coach! The whole journey was physically demanding but emotionally powerful, and one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. ”
London 2025 broke many records; not just for the number of finishers. It was also the setting for a new women’s only world record, by elite Etihopian runner, Tigst Assefa who crossed the finish line in 2:15:50.
While Eilish McColgan, finishing 8th in a supremely talented women’s field; set a new Scottish record of 2:24:25, making, we’re certain, her mum VERY proud.
For those of you who recall a younger Alex Yee finishing 3rd at Parliament Hill in 2022, it was joyous to see him finish 14th, and 2nd fastest Briton, in 2:11:08.
Ahead as 1st Briton, was the humbly inspiring Mahamed Mahamed, finishing 9th overall in a blistering 2:08:52. Back in 2022 at Parliament Hill, it was Mahamed who took 1st place, so not much has changed between the two there.
We now hear from Ed Smith, our second club ballot winner; who came face to face with himself - in more ways than one - over the 26.2 miles:
“ London 2025. Finally made the start line for a race many years in the watching and waiting, listening to Ron Goodwin's The Trap and getting emotional that I might do it myself sometime..
I'd give myself 8/10 for the training block leading up to it - more longer runs perhaps the main critique. But despite the forecasted heat, I had a plan and I felt in really good shape.
The first half was perfect, constant pace, not too punchy and knocking off the ks. A big shout to Agnes, who was my running partner for half the race, really nice to run and chat as a Ranelagh pair while we could..
Tower Bridge, though, marked where it became a run of two halves - I'll never forget the crowd packed on both sides and the volume (barring deafeningly at Blackfriars), but also it's where the stomach cramps and sickness started to show.
I dropped a bit of pace to cool and calm down a bit, but my stomach had other ideas. Not getting the benefit of the gels got the leg cramps knocking me out of stride from 25k and eventually having to stop and stretch every few hundred metres.
It was pretty attritional but encouraged by the wall of noise from the crowd all the way - dnf wasn't an option for me after wanting this for so long.
Released from any sort of target that might have been there beforehand I could take it in a little more - thankfully I wasn't hit as hard as many who were getting medical assistance. I lost a few minutes with a few others helping one guy who had clearly got heatstroke and ensuring he was safe.
Seeing my family and the Ranelagh family at 25M was awesome and a highlight, and pushed me over the line. Hopefully I'll get another chance some time to corner into the Mall in better shape, there is some unfinished business there.
Overall, I'll get over the physical pain and the running dejection, but bigger than that I'm immensely grateful to Ranelagh for the opportunity to put myself through it..! Public ballot already entered for 2026... “
The event itself is the largest annual one-day fundraising event on the planet. Which might offer some consolation for those who’ve finished behind runners dressed as a rhino, a sarcoma or whatever amazing costume the imagination can come up with.
2025 set a new fundraising record, with £75 million raised for numerous charities. As with all events, the day would not be possible without the support and commitment of the countless volunteers who selflessly give up their time and energies.
So the final word goes to Maia Rushby, our Club President, who volunteered throughout the weekend:
“ The sky was blue and the Mall looked pristine. As the morning unfolded, teams arrived – the bomb squad, the met police, the security teams; at first it’s all about keeping our athletes safe. Then the volunteers arrive – to give the athletes their best day; medals, water, bags, Lucozade, hugs.
As the race gets underway, your very own Gav, Lloyd and me are checking barriers, signage, adding floor markings, familiarising ourselves with the meeting points, charity party venues, underground stations, all in aid of helping the crowds get home safely so they can celebrate their achievements.
The first bag drop lorries arrive at 10am, it is precision planning that means we get all 34 lorries parked in the correct order within the finish zone, before the main wave of athletes make it to Buckingham Palace and the final 100 metres to the finish line on the Mall.
And then we’re in the thick of it! Thousands and thousands of people are streaming past us, asking for directions, for help or simply offering us a smile, we all know the marathon finishers are champions, and their families and friends have been through the months of training with them, experienced the tears, fatigue, blisters, cramp.
It’s too early for some of them to feel the euphoria of finishing, but over the week let’s hope they can celebrate their achievements.
And it’s not just about directions, we’re stretching cramped muscles, lacing up fresh shoes, hydrating spent runners.
What a privilege to be part of this day, helping runners when they most need it. We see them at their most vulnerable and triumphant, it’s beautiful to be able to share that with them, we know exactly how they feel and it’s beautiful and emotional; London at its best, running at its best.
And one of the most frequently asked questions? “Can you help me please; I’m meeting my mum/son/friend at the finish line” …. yeah, you and the friends, family, coaches of another 60,000 athletes! “
4. CLUB SUBS ⬇️
A gentle 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.
5. TRAINING ⬇️
Once more to our new joiners or those on a taster session, a BIG HELLO, and to all our existing members, please continue to introduce yourselves to make them feel welcome.
For those returning to training after injury, or due to work/life constraints, or after recovering from their marathons, it’s great to see you back.
We’re certainly enjoying these longer days, but with this warmer weather, a gentle reminder to dress appropriately (keep cool), to please stay hydrated before, during and after all your runs and training sessions (but also don’t drink too much!), and to allow plenty of time for your body to adjust and aclimatise.
Do check in on each other, especially as the heat and humidity increases and if you feel faint, dizzy or not well, please slow down or stop running.
A reminder that for Tuesday's session, please meet at our clubhouse for 7pm; and for Thursday's track, please meet at Osterley Park track for 7.30pm.
6. NOTICES:
💛 Ladies Couch to 5k Course: A reminder that our Ladies Couch to 5k Course aimed at complete beginners will start on 20 May. Don’t forget to let your friends, mums, sisters etc know. Full details @ https://ranelagh-harriers.co.uk/news/beginners-2025 ⬅️
💙 Kit Delivery: Thank you to everyone for their patience. Orders were placed to allow ample delivery time before the Ranelagh Half, but due to factors outside our control, this is looking unlikely. We will know more in this coming week, and we will be in touch as soon as we have further information.
💛 Update: Our strategy groups are getting together tomorrow, thank you to everyone volunteering their time in taking part. A communication will follow once the groups have had the chance to work together.
💙 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!
