Howdy Ranelights.

And there we have it… the last day of ‘summer’, as we step into September and leave August behind.

However, a trawl through ‘tinterweb reveals that in the Northern Hemisphere, the end of summer is marked by the autumnal equinox, which will fall on 22 September this year.

During this time period, the length of daylight and darkness is nearly equal worldwide. So all is not lost and one can take comfort in the fact that we have a few more weeks of wonderful daylight yet.

As we kick off with a new season of fixtures, the warmest of welcome to all our new members, as well as those who’ve joined us fairly recently.

We look forward to seeing you participate in our upcoming fixtures - if you have questions about anything at all, please do not hesitate to speak to our captains, Aoife Kilpatrick, or Jonny Smith, or to your group coaches, or to Claire Warner, or Phil Roberts, our wonderful welfare team.

All can easily be contacted via WhatsApp Community, or you can catch them at the clubhouse on Tuesday, or at track on Thursday. Or simply email coordinator@ranelagh-harriers.co.uk ⬅️

Fixtures aside, we also have plans for some exciting social events for the autumn/winter - so watch this space.

1. Thomas Cup Handicap, BBQ & Award Presentation - SIGN UP NOW!

You’d have to have been under a rock for the past few weeks, to not know about the GRAND plans we have for this season’s Thomas Cup. The 144th running of this event will be a special one; as we have invited several club stalwarts who have greatly contributed to Ranelagh Harriers over the years, to be recognised.

A reminder that the schedule for the day is as follows:

13:30: Thomas Cup Handicap starts at Sidmouth Wood
14:30: Race ends and runners return to the Ranelagh clubhouse for a BBQ* and celebration event
14:45 to 15:15: Annual club photograph in the clubhouse garden. DON’T MISS THIS!
15:30: Mayor of Richmond arrives
15:45: Award presentation by the Mayor, Ranelagh President and the Ranelagh Men’s and Women’s Captains

In short, this is a 3 line whip-like callout to ALL members, young and old, new and not-so-new, to join us on the day to ensure a good turnout. Friends and families are also welcome to attend, especially at the BBQ.

But as with all things - WE NEED TO KNOW you’re coming so we can ensure there’s enough food & refreshments for everyone. For those of running, please note that there will be no tea as we will have the BBQ instead.

So please don't delay, sign up via the following Google Forms to help us plan properly. Thank you 💙💛

🏃‍♀️ RUN: https://forms.gle/oLBDD16cZZV2n7429 ⬅️
🆘 VOLUNTEER: https://forms.gle/a963wjjcZBK4h3Kx9 ⬅️
🍔 EAT & DRINK: https://forms.gle/4kJhYjN1Dd1wca2H8 ⬅️

*For the BBQ, please complete this form @ https://forms.gle/3rQfdFscMPRAWiKC9 for each person attending, then transfer £15 with your name + THOMAS as the reference to:

Name: Ranelagh Harriers
Sort Code: 40-23-29
Account: 81109847

FYI children under 14 eat & drink for free.

For all questions or queries, please email coordinator@ranelagh-harriers.co.uk ⬅️

2. fixtures

▪️Thomas Cup Handicap | Saturday 6 Sept | Richmond Park @ 1.30pm: Entries are open for our traditional opening cross-country fixture. Prizes will be awarded to the first 3 finishers, the 3 fastest open and the 3 fastest women. The first person across the line (non-guest) will take home the Thomas Cup, an ornate trophy originally won by Sid Thomas on 23rd May 1889 in a 10 mile race at Old Trafford Manchester against arch-rival Will Parry of Salford Harriers. Details & entry @ https://forms.gle/k4kYXWpBRc3oRYUa9 ⬅️

▪️Middlesex Road Relays | Sunday 14 Sept | Hayes @ 3pm: 3km per leg for teams of 3. All abilities welcome - if you would like to take part, please sign up on Teamer or contact your captains.

▪️Page Cup Handicap | Saturday 20 Sept | Richmond Park @ 3pm: Entries are open for our next XC handicap fixture; 5 miles/8km to vie for the one of our club’s oldest trophies. Prizes will be awarded to the first 3 finishers, the 3 fastest open and the 3 fastest women. The first person across the line (non-guest) will take home the Page Cup. Details & entry @ https://forms.gle/2usY5xh2uSqRzVYN8 ⬅️

STOP PRESS: 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. 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):

Please keep checking https://ranelagh-harriers.co.uk/fixtures ⬅️ for the latest updates.

3. Volunteering

Time’s a’ticking you all - we really need volunteers on the following dates so please sign up ASAP so we can plan.

Thomas Cup Handicap | Saturday 6 September from 1pm | Richmond Park
Page Cup Handicap | Saturday 20 September from 3pm | Richmond Park
Richmond Runfest Marathon | Sunday 14 September from 7am but flexible | To set up & manage water station & marshal section at Old Deer Park

For the above, please fill in this form @ https://forms.gle/a963wjjcZBK4h3Kx9 ⬅️ or email coordinator@ranelagh-harriers.co.uk ⬅️

Pretty please….

Our club will also be hosting the Surrey XC League #1 Div 2 on Saturday 11 October in Richmond Park. We really need EVERYONE’s help from 11.45am.

There are suitable roles for everyone, even if you’re running. Please sign up for this @ https://forms.gle/nQeerwXKAuSVcUEN8 ⬅️

4. RACE REPORTs

🎽 River Relay | Sunday 31 August | Boveney to Bushy Park

Race report on its way (at some point) but in the meantime, here’s a comment, some pics and the results!

Amazing running day at the River Relays - 3 great teams. Would be fab to get more teams next year! A flat run in the sun at the end of the summer, what’s not to like 🌞 thanks Hadi for organising 😊

▪️Provisional results > (PDF)

WhatsApp Image 2025-08-31 at 14.55.54_0528b0e5.jpg

5. TRAINING

A reminder that for Tuesdays’ sessions, to please meet at our clubhouse for 7pm; and for Thursdays’ track, to please meet at Osterley Park track for 7.30pm.

It’s still tick season, so if you’re running/training in the park, please continue to the appropriate precautions by covering legs, wearing insect repellent and checking for ticks after running in the park.

Detailed info can be found here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/642bec29fbe620000f17dbbe/Tick-awareness-A5-leaflet-April-2023.pdf ⬅️

Autumn also means we need to be mindful of the bigger residents of our beloved park; the deer. The deer mating season, also known as the rut, starts towards the end of September 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.

Male deer are also more likely to attack dogs, so if running with your dog, please keep them on a lead and under close control, or walk/run your dog outside of Richmond Park. If a stag approaches you, let the dog off the lead so it can run away.

We’re delighted to report that there are no danger of ticks or rutting deer at Osterley Track. There is however a curry night planned for 18 September - all 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 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.

7. NOTICES

💙 Club Kit: If you’ve recently ordered kit but haven’t collected it yet, please message Agnes N, our Kit Secretary via WhatsApp Community, or send an email via coordinator@ranelagh-harriers.co.uk ⬅️

💛 London marathon charity place: Doctors of the World - an international humanitarian charity providing medical care to those most in need across the globe - have 20 charity spots available for the 2026 London Marathon. In return for the chance to run with them, they’re asking for support in raising awareness and fundraising for their mission to provide essential healthcare to vulnerable communities. Applications can be made here >

💙 261 Fearless Club UK: is hosting Take the Baton on 13 September 2025 in Bicester, a landmark event for the UK women’s running community, bringing together celebration, education, inspiration, and empowerment. The day will feature keynote speaker Kathrine Switzer, trailblazer of the 1967 Boston Marathon and founder of the global 261 Fearless network, alongside a host of other inspiring women. Open to all genders, tickets cost £55 (£50 with discount code RunClub25) and sales close on 5 September. More details are available here >

💛 Magic of Mull Running Retreat: Roland Arnison and his partner Louise, members of Chagford Runners in Devon, are hosting their inaugural running retreat from 13–18 October 2025, featuring guided trail runs, yoga, nature exploration, evening talks, hill skills training, delicious food, and comfortable accommodation. Full details are available on their Facebook event page, and they welcome questions via email roland@shearwater.me.uk

💙 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!

September 2025