Howdy Ranelights.
More mud, more miles, more reasons to join in!
The next Surrey XC League match in Beckenham Place Park is calling! Join the team on Saturday 14 November for an afternoon of racing, clubmate cheers and shared muddy miles. Fifty of us lined up at Wimbledon, so let’s bring even more blue and amber to south-east London.
Before then, a shout-out for Page Cup volunteers this Saturday, 31 October. Entries have closed, but there’s still time to help make the Halloween racing happen. If you can lend a hand, please sign up on MyRanelagh or email coordinator@ranelagh-harriers.co.uk.
Looking ahead, if you fancy volunteering with Ranelagh at the 2027 London Marathon, please register your interest by this Sunday, 1 November. Don’t miss out. Find out more here >
November also brings the London XC Championships at iconic Parliament (muddy) Hill on 7 November and the SEAA Masters at Lloyd (muddy) Park on 28 November. On the social front, a reminder to join us for Bonfire Biryani Night on Tuesday 10 November at the clubhouse, for a catch-up after training.
And finally, please save the date for December’s home mob match against SLH in Richmond (not as muddy) Park. All in all, plenty to look forward to, and plenty of reasons to keep those trail shoes handy.
PRIORItY dates
SOCIALS
▪️Tues 10 Nov: Bonfire Biryani Night Social. Clubhouse @ 8.15pm. Details @ https://forms.gle/9DbDgCZxh1TWc3EA8
▪️Tues 15 Dec: Christmas Cracker Social @ The Sun Inn from 8.15pm. All welcome whether you’re running the relay or not.
▪️Sat 17 April 2027: Ranelagh Awards Evening @ Turks Head. Save the date! Further details coming soon.
Volunteer
▪️Sat 31 Oct: For the Page Cup Handicap. Sign up via MyRanelagh or email coordinator@ranelagh-harriers.co.uk >
▪️Sun 1 Nov: For the 2027 London Marathon with Ranelagh. Register your interest NOW @ https://forms.gle/T4udNoHtWJaTU2Nq6
▪️Sat 5 Dec: For the Mob vs South London Harriers. Please email coordinator@ranelagh-harriers.co.uk >
Surrey League XC
Next up: Saturday 14 November at Beckenham Place Park
Pull on your Ranelagh vest and join the team! With 23 women and 27 men at the first match and three more fixtures to go, there’s plenty of time to get involved. You don’t have to be fast or have raced before.
Come for the camaraderie, cheer on your clubmates and enjoy being part of it. You’ll build strength and fitness along the way, with a bit of mud and plenty of encouragement thrown in!
It’s open to all Ranelagh members, and the club pays your entry fee, so it’s FREE to enter. Just make sure your club subs are paid and your England Athletics registration is up to date. Whether you’re a cross-country regular or trying it for the first time, we’d love you to join us at Beckenham.
Contact your captains to find out more, or sign up via MyRanelagh: Women | Men
MyRanelagh
A couple of months in, MyRanelagh is becoming part of club life, with 231 members aged 14 to 79 already signed up. If you haven’t explored it yet, come and join us!
There’s much more to it than event sign-ups. Track your training, celebrate racing and volunteering milestones, see what’s coming up and find out who else is taking part. Whether you race, volunteer or simply want to stay connected, there’s something for you.
Built by a Ranelagh member, it’s simple to use and easy to explore, from your own progress to historical results, club trophies and past winners. Future club fixtures are moving onto MyRanelagh, with social event sign-ups being planned too.
Save it to your phone’s home screen to open like an app, or just access it through the website if you prefer. There’s nothing to download, no technical know-how needed and no extra social media feed to follow.
It’s included in your membership so why not sign up, and have a look around.
Find out more and follow our step-by-step guide to get started >
CIO Update
1️⃣ Work towards the club’s transition to a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) is continuing, with legal support and preparations for the Charity Commission application. At the last Committee meeting, the application had not yet been submitted, but this will be done soon.
2️⃣ Mundays, the legal firm that helped establish the club’s trusts in 2012, is supporting the proposed transfer of land to the CIO.
3️⃣ Draft Terms of Reference are being prepared to support the future Trustees in providing strategic direction for the club. These will act as a practical “code of practice”, setting out how governance will work, how decisions will be made and how members will be consulted. The aim is to make those arrangements clear and help ensure that members continue to have a voice in the club’s future.
4️⃣ If the charity application is successful, the draft will form part of the information shared with members ahead of the second vote. Members will have the opportunity to understand the proposed arrangements and ask questions before deciding on the next stage of the transition.
2026/2027 FIXTURES
The following fixtures are confirmed.
▪️Page Cup Handicap Saturday 31 October @ 2.30pm | Richmond Park
▪️SEAA London XC Champs Saturday 7 November @ Parliament HIll
▪️Surrey XC League #2 Saturday 14 November @ Beckenham Place Park
▪️SEAA XC Masters Championships Saturday 28 November @ Lloyd Park
▪️Mob Match vs South London Harriers Saturday 5 December @ Richmond Park
▪️Milocarian Invitational Saturday 5 December @ Sandhurst
▪️Entries for the above will be through MyRanelagh >
▪️For the current* list of fixtures, please go to www.ranelagh-harriers.co.uk/fixtures >
* Some licences are still pending so dates may change at short notice.
Performance
▪️Latest roundup of the Women’s achievements @ The Blue Wave >
▪️Latest roundup of the Men’s achievements @ The Blue & Amber >
Saturday 10 Oct | Surrey XC League #1
Fifty runners represented the club at Wimbledon Common on Saturday 10 October, getting the Surrey League season under way with a strong turnout across both Division One teams. With 23 women and 27 men finishing, it was a welcome return to racing together.
Betsy Griffiths led the women home in 25th, followed by Cecily Day in 37th, with Lizzie Broughton and Suzy Whatmough both finishing inside the top 60. Aoife Kilpatrick, Emily Fairs and Natalie Haarer completed the scoring seven to secure eighth place overall. Behind them, Laura Collier and Lucy Charkin finished alongside one another, leading a strong supporting contingent that helped the B team to fifth. With Ranelagh represented throughout the field, this was an encouraging start and a good demonstration of the depth in the women’s squad.
Joe Killip led the men home in 62nd, followed by George Roux and Timothy Dowden, both inside the top 100. Callum Olden, Aaron Bruce and Gareth Hopkins kept the scoring moving, with Peter Robins, Marc Leyshon, Ted Mockett and David Lawley completing the first ten. Graham Weller then led home the B team, with 27 Ranelagh finishers in all.
Tenth place reflected the strength of the competition in Division One. It was a demanding opening fixture, with a strong collective effort to build on as the season continues.
A huge thank you to all the volunteers, officials and marshals who made the fixture possible, and to the captains, helpers and supporters who helped bring the Ranelagh teams together.
Next up is Beckenham Place Park on 14 November, and it would be great to see even more Ranelagh vests on the start line. Whether you’re a cross-country regular or curious to give it a go, everyone eligible to race is welcome. You don’t need to be among the scoring runners to be part of the team: every clubmate adds to the occasion. Please speak to your captains if you’d like to join in, or come along to support and enjoy an afternoon with the club.
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Saturday 18 Oct | Cabbage Patch 10
It was a wonderful club turnout at the Cabbage Patch 10 on Sunday 18 October, with 44 finishers, more than 20 water station volunteers and clubmates supporting along the course. A great morning of local racing, with plenty of encouragement and some great Ranelagh moments.
Gareth Hopkins and Natalie Haarer were the club’s first man and woman home, leading a strong showing across the field. There were excellent runs throughout, made all the more enjoyable by familiar faces and cheers along the way.
The Ranelagh water station at River Lane was a particularly welcome sight at 7.5 miles. With our members keeping the water flowing and the encouragement coming, it was proof that many hands make light work. Their enthusiasm gave our runners a much-needed lift before the final stretch back to Twickenham.
A huge thank you to everyone who supported along the route, and especially to the water station team for their time, energy and wholehearted cheering. From racing to handing out water, everyone played their part in making it a memorable morning.
Race results (PDF) >
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Saturday 24 Oct | Surrey Masters XC Champs
Atrocious rain, a fierce headwind and just about everything else the weather could throw at them greeted seven Ranelagh runners at the Surrey Masters Cross-Country Championships at Nonsuch Park on 24 October. This was proper XC, the sort of racing that puts hairs on your chest and makes getting to the finish an achievement in itself. Full credit to everyone who pulled on a club vest and got stuck in.
Clare Fowler flew the flag in the women’s race, finishing sixth in W45. Chris Owens took second in the M70 category, while Marc Leyshon led the Ranelagh contingent home in the M35–M60 race, followed by David Lawley, Graham Weller, Neil Rae and Andrew Mclauchlan. A small but determined club turnout, with plenty of grit on a day that demanded it.
Volunteer
URGENT: We need volunteers for the Page Cup Handicap (Saturday 31 Oct). Please email coordinator@ranelagh-harriers.co.uk if you can help.
Please also save the following dates in your diary.
1️⃣ Mob vs South London Harriers | Sat 5 Dec 2pm | Richmond Park
2️⃣ Ranelagh Half Marathon | Sun 9 May 2027
3️⃣ Ranelagh 10K | 30 May 2027
4️⃣ Sunset Sprint 3K | 18 June 2027
Sunday social runs
We’re coordinating Sunday social runs to help members share their plans and find company. All paces and distances are welcome, including walk/run, with no regular commitment needed. We’d particularly like to hear from women, Inter-2 and Inter-3 runners, and walk/runners.
If you’re happy for others to join a run you’re planning, send over the start time and location, approximate distance, pace and terrain by Thursday evening. A round-up will be shared on the Friday. Plans can be loose: these are informal social runs, and “leading” simply means knowing roughly where you’re going and at what pace.
Please message Andrew Greenstock directly via WhatsApp Community if you can help.
Social
The evenings may be drawing in, but there’s plenty to brighten the weeks ahead at Ranelagh. Our socials are a chance to share food, coffee and good company beyond the finish line. Whether you’re a longstanding member or have only just joined, we’d love to see you there.
Diary dates:
1️⃣ Tues 10 Nov: Bonfire Biryani Night @ 8.15pm
Something warming for a November evening! Join us at the clubhouse for biryani, good company and a chance to linger over a meal together. Book now @ https://forms.gle/9DbDgCZxh1TWc3EA8
2️⃣ Thursday Track Curry Night: 8.30pm, 2nd Thursday of every month. Next date 19 November.
All welcome to the Indian Gymkhana Club for a curry and a catch-up with clubmates. All welcome, whether you’re training or simply coming for the food and company.
3️⃣ Sunday Coffee Club: 8:00 - 11:00am, last Sunday of every month. Next date 29 November.
Make a stop at the clubhouse part of your Sunday run, or simply pop in for coffee and a chat. You don’t need to have clocked up any miles to come along.
4️⃣ Tues 15 December: Christmas Cracker Relay drinks @ The Sun Inn, Richmond.
Save the date for festive drinks & fun after the Christmas Cracker Relay. Whether you’ve been racing around or cheering from the sidelines, come and share a little Christmas joy.
5️⃣ Sat 17 April: 2027 Baker Supper Awards @ The Turks Head
Save the date for a special evening celebrating our trophy winners, our club’s history and the people who make Ranelagh what it is. With our spectacular collection of silverware taking centre stage, it’s a celebration for the whole club. More details to follow.
Training
With cooler weather and darker evenings here, a reminder to please wear reflective kit, bring a charged headtorch or running light during all sessions, and have an extra layer for before and after training.
Please also stay alert to traffic, take care at crossings and never assume that drivers have seen you.
It’s also the beginning of the deer rutting season in Richmond and Bushy Parks. Do keep at least 50 metres away and change your route if needed. Please read the Royal Parks’ deer safety advice here >
From 1 November for up to 6 weeks, the deer cull will take place in Richmond Park during which time the pedestrian gates will be locked from 8:00 PM until 7:30 AM (except on Friday and Saturday nights). Training schedules will be adjusted to reflect this.
▪️For Tuesdays’ sessions, please meet at our clubhouse for 7pm. Find the latest training schedules here >
▪️For Thursdays’ sessions, please meet at Osterley track for 7.30pm. Find the latest training schedules here >
club Subs are due
Please renew your membership subs for 2026/2027
If you’d like to race for Ranelagh, including in the Surrey League, please pay your membership subs so we can renew your England Athletics registration.
Where applicable, this registration is included in your subs and allows you to represent the club in official races. It also gives you a £2 discount on most other race entries, alongside other England Athletics benefits and discounts.
By paying your subs, you agree to accept and abide by the relevant England Athletics codes of conduct for your role(s) within the club. Please visit their website to read these.
Kindly make your payments 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
For all membership queries, please email the Membership Secretary >
Notices
Club
1️⃣ KIT: Winter kit orders are ready to collect from the clubhouse on Tuesday 3 November before training. Women’s shorts and race kit orders will take a little longer, but most race kit orders can be fulfilled from existing stock. If you need your kit sooner, please message Agnes Nagy directly to arrange collection. There are also still items available in the club store >
2️⃣ VOLUNTEER: With Ranelagh at the 2027 London Marathon. Ages 18+. Register your interest by Sunday 1 November, with no firm commitment needed yet. Find out more and sign up >
3️⃣ KUDOS: To superstar Lizzie Broughton who bagged 1st lady in the Beachy Head Ultra (50k) in a standout time of 4 hrs 46 mins.
4️⃣ SHOUT OUT: To club stalwart Bruce McLaren who completed the Autumn 100 miles in 19 hrs 44 mins - 1st V60 and course record!
5️⃣ SHARE: Your running related celebrations & achievements in our ‘General Club Chat’ group - so we can shout you out!
Community
1️⃣ RUN: Elf Festive Fun Run 6 Dec 2026. To support Richmond Borough Mind mental health services. Find out more and sign up >
2️⃣ VOLUNTEER: Wendover Woods 1 Nov 2026. Marshals needed for the marathon, half marathon and 10K. Receive £35 Nice Work race credit or a free entry next year, plus free parking. Email info@nice-work.org.uk to help.
3️⃣ FUNDRAISE: Rainbow Trust has 2027 London marathon charity places available for the Saturday event, supporting families with a child facing a life-threatening or terminal illness. Find out more about fundraising and apply >
4️⃣ RACE: Home of England Rugby 5k. Stadium charity run 7 Jan 2027. Details @ https://allianzstadiumtwickenham.com/hospitality/home-of-england-rugby/5k/information >
5️⃣ RACE: White City 10K 18 Apr 2027. A new flat, closed-road West London race organised by Thames Valley Harriers runners, with a children’s 1K too. 10% off the first 50 club entries with code RanelaghHarriers10. Find out more and enter >
6️⃣ FUNDRAISE: For The Sussex Beacon. Join Team Beacon for the RED RUN 5K/10K (21 November), Brighton Half (28 February 2027) or London Landmarks Half (4 April 2027). Entryfees and fundraising targets vary; email fundraising@sussexbeacon.org.uk for details.
photo Roundup
