Sunshine and warmth is delayed I'm afraid but April is now underway, and looking busy with the first fixture tomorrow...
Tomorrow! Easter Saturday 4th April - Mike Penman Memorial 10km Road Race - 2pm start
This annual event is generously put on by the Roche family in memory of club member Mike Penman who was taken from us suddenly some years ago (the elegant wooden bench outside the clubhouse entrance is in his memory). This free-to-enter 10km is always a great event with the added fun of a mob-match against other local clubs (Orion, Eton Manor, Woodford). There is usually some food and drink laid on afterwards. Come along and race, support, and soak up the atmosphere.
This Thursday 9th April - Assembly League Starts - Evening Races
A reminder that this brilliant series of 6 summer road races starts this week. Each is held on a Thursday night, usually 3-3.5 miles in length. The club did very well in the league last year (our senior men won both the A and B leagues, our women came 2nd + we had a number of category wins, including men's champion) If the fast, free, fun racing isn't enough for you there's usually a post-race social as well.
- 9th April Beckenham Sports Club - 7:15pm start
- 7th May Victoria Park - 7:30pm start
- 4th June Battersea Park (Grandstand) - 7:30pm start
- 2nd July The Dome (North Greenwich)- 7:30pm start
- 30th July Victoria Park - 7:30pm start
- 3rd September Beckenham Sports Club - 7:30pm start
Lots more info about the races on the noticeboard - click here.
Sunday 19th April - Celebration of Life Run 6 miles - Victoria Park 10:30am
This is a nice event, organised tirelessly by a local volunteer Dave Wilkinson in support of St Joseph's Hospice on Mare Street. All the details are on the website here. Register on the site if you would like to run, I'm sure volunteers would be appreciated as well.
Saturday 25th April - Southern Women's Athletics League - Lee Valley Athletics Stadium
Don't forget the season kicks off this month. The women's athletics team is still seeking participants, particularly distance runners who normally run on the road or XC to compete in the 1500m or 3000m but all areas welcomed of course. Please contact Women's Athletics captain Charlotte Nicholls [ Nicholls.charlotte |at| gmail.com ] . Newcomers to track & field competition are welcome of course, training and orientation can be provided.
Sunday 26th April - Virgin Money London Marathon
Of course it's marathon day later this month. Many club members will be running, if you wish to cheer them on you can do so, our traditional spot is outside St Georges Pool on the Highway, where you can cheer runners past at the 14 + 22 mile points. In the evening we plan to open up the club bar for a celebration. Come along and have a drink to celebrate and admire the medals. Folk are welcome to bring along a food contribution to share if they wish (no organised catering this year as hard-working bar manager Rob is also running)
Thursday 30th April - Monthly Handicap 5 mile - Victoria Park 7:15pm
The monthly handicap moves to the summer 5 mile course now that lighter evenings are here. Keep an eye on the noticeboard for details.
Saturday 2nd May - Southern Men's League - Tooting Bec
The first fixture of the southern mens league is our men's athletic focus this season. We still seek athletes for all disciplines, and especially the800m, 1500m, 5000m and 3k stee
Hackney Marshes Parkrun - Every Saturday at 9am
Our friends at Hackney Marshes Parkrun have been in touch. The event has grown significantly in the last year, but unfortunately the volunteer side is still catching up. Many will agree what a fantastic community this is. It is and always will be free but runners are asked to volunteer at least a couple of times a year. If you haven't yet and would like to, or perhaps if it's your turn, sign up here.
Simeon
Men's Road & XC Captain
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