DPR January 2026 Newsletter
Happy New Year! I’m sure that you’re raring to go, excited about another year of DPR fun and frolics. But if not, don’t worry! We have lots of ideas below to get you out from under the duvet and into your trainers.
First up it’s cross country on Saturday. Now you may not think that’s the prime candidate to get you going, but it’s at lovely Oxshott which is a beautiful course, it’s free, not too early, very near the train station and there is a wonderful pub nearby! Picture below of us in 2025 – it’s suitable for all paces so if you’re interested or want to ask any questions join the what’s app cross country chats, or speak to Alison May or Alan Brown, our brilliant captains! (and just saying it’s currently Women 20 vs Men 7…..)
If that’s a bit too much and you have fallen out of a running routine, we will start a free short programme of sessions for members on Tuesdays or Sundays later this month. Everyone welcome – if you’re interested, let James H, our co-chair know – we’ll be designing the offer round participants and really want all of our members to get back into the running habit over the next few weeks. We are here for you!
Our brilliant coaches are always around to support anyone who would like general help with their running, to increase their weekly mileage, or specific help with training for a race, especially if you’d like to start a schedule in the New Year for a spring Marathon or Half Marathon. For coaching advice of any kind please contact them (Susan, Tom, Katia or Zach) at coach@dulwichparkrunners.co.uk It’s all a bit last minute now but if you need help to get your Paddock Wood training underway, do get in touch!
Also remember if you’ve been running more than 10 miles a week for the last couple of months or more you can join the free Thursday Improvers Sessions. For January and February we have two sets of sessions running alongside each other. One will be technical with hills and few miles, the other less technical, less hills, more miles. These sessions are good preparation for the on-going cross country season, for strength and increased speed over any distance, and for encouraging a 3rd run a week for those looking to increase their mileage. Think of them as preparation for the spring 5 miles or 10k races, and for longer races such as 10 miles and half marathon. If you have any questions, would like to join us, or would like general coaching advice, please email coach@dulwichparkrunners.co.uk
The Parkrun Ladder is another great way to get running back into your 2026 weekly schedule – it’s on through January culminating in our Mob Match Home Game against Crystal Place Fun Runners at Dulwich Park on the 31st. And this Saturday the 10th if you run Parkrun and the Cross Country you get bonus points! Here is the schedule Parkrun Ladder – Winter 2025.
Dates for your Brand New Diary
24th January – South of England Cross Country Champs at Beckenham Place Park – too late for new entries but lots of us will be running so do come along to cheer us on. They are also looking for marshalls, get in touch with James H if you can help!
1st February – Dash for the Splash – a fun London 10km with free chocolate pudding at the end!
7th February – the final (sob!) cross country of the season in the Surrey League at Lloyd Park – it’s free!
15th February – London Winter 10k – and the club will provide a £20 subsidy for any member for whom this is their first 10k running event. There is a final release of remaining places TOMORROW. To claim the subsidy, please email treasurer@dulwichparkrunners.co.uk races@dulwichparkrunners.co.uk chair@dulwichparkrunners.co.uk with a receipt of entry and your bank details.
14th March – our DPR Annual Dinner at the Lordship – no, it’s not a race but it’s very important!
2026 Club Championships
Sunday 8th March – Paddock Wood Half Marathon (39 DPRs entered so far). Remember you can claim a £13 subsidy for this race by sending your receipt and bank details to chair@dulwichparkrunners.co.uk, treasurer@dulwichparkrunners.co.uk and races@dulwichparkrunners.co.uk
Saturday 9th May – 5k at Dulwich Parkrun
Tuesday 19th May – 1 mile in Dulwich Park in place of the normal Club Run
Sunday October 4th – 5 miles – DPR will again be hosting our public event so keep the date free!
10 mile – Cabbage Patch 10 in October (date to be confirmed)
10k – one of the second two Summer League Events
Cross Country – one of the Autumn Surrey League events
December Achievements Round Up
Lots of great running in December amongst the boogieing, Bailey’s and baubles. Adrian Frost ran a super time and was first in his age category at the Cheddleton 10k Xmas Pudding Run. James Asfa ran his first 10k race at Battersea’s Chase the Moon event and managed an admirable sub-40 minute time. Ilaria got another sub-hour time in the 10k event at the Birmingham Running Festival.
We had our two fabulous and contrasting weekends away in December – shout out to my fellow junkies Tom and Alan who did them both. The first weekend saw over 20 of us head to the Sussex Hills for a weekend of running and feasting. We had members running both the 12 and 21k in cold, windy weather – it was a beautiful course and we all embraced the mud and hills (and dorm beds). Congrats to Carlisle (9th man overall) and Martha who were our first finishers in the 21k, and Dan and Rosemary in the 12k. Rosemary was first in her age category despite having never run more than 10k before!
The following weekend we were flying the DPR green and white in Malaga swimming in the sea, eating paella, drinking vermut and generally having a jolly good time. There were some fantastic results in both the half and full marathon distances. We were delighted, and most of us surprised, to see Susan (now known as the Secret Squirrel) running the marathon. She ran a sensational time of 4:16:07 which meant another update of the Club Records!
In total 2025 saw a sensational 13 new Club Records – including Amanda’s magnificent record breaking time of 3:20:32 at the Valencia Marathon. Susan and Amanda both got 5 each along with Alicky, James and Carlisle. Amazing work! Here are the Club Records.
Some of us have already got medals to brag about in 2026 with David W running the Mornington Chasers 10k and a group of us running the Tadworth 10 – a gorgeous sunny snowy run round the Epsom Downs racecourse finished off by a very nice roast!
We held our first Marathon Club Championship in 2025 with results included for any member who ran a marathon in the calendar year – 27 people with 3 people (Amanda, Andrea and Adam W) all running two! Our fastest women were Amanda, Martha and Melissa, our fastest men Seb, Tim and Carlisle with Susan, Tim, Amanda, Seb and Carlisle leading the way in the age grading. Congratulations to everyone – it’s a very long way!
Running one in 2026? Do let Lucy Ross know. Will you join those already set to run in Brighton, London, Hamburg, Seville, Lake Garda and Lyon? The full list of our 2025 Club Championship winners is now available here.
We would love to know what races you are entering in 2026 and your goals for the year – let everyone know on the DPR what’s app chat or drop Lucy Ross, our Club Captain a line!
Our 2026 Attendance Award
A new year has also begun for our DPR Attendance Award. Points are gained for attending all our major events throughout the year with detail here Attendance Award 2026. Importantly you need to have attained at least 4 points (up from last year’s 2) to be able to enter the London Marathon club ballot when it is drawn in November. Points from 2025 are now being totted up and the prestigious trophy and other prizes will be presented at our Annual Dinner on Saturday 14th March.
Our Sunday Runs
Remember as well as our regular Tuesday Social Runs, we also run on Sunday mornings! In 2025 we finished on a bonkers high, with Chris Ince and Darren Cheek organising a comedy ‘DPR treasure hunt’ route. This involved challenges such as – our runners skateboarding (almost), seeking out racist haunts (maybe), joining the ‘Ministry of Silly Runs’ (confidently) and eating lots of mince pies (gluttonously)!
The Sunday Runs are a super relaxed way to get some miles in and are suitable for runners of all speeds, fitness and abilities – with the added bonus of an invitation for coffee after. We have a rota of 8k – 10k route suggestions, and whatever route we choose each week, shorter or longer versions are always available; and we always have at a least a couple of people who will very happily run / jog / trot as gently as required – nobody runs on their own!
January 18th sees our next DPR member designed and led route. We are informed that this one will be a tribute to the back streets (boys) by none other than Faheem. When asked why – his answer was simple – “I want it that way!”…for details of this run, more terrible gags, or just info about the Sunday runs – please do ensure you are added to the DPR Sunday Social Runs WhatsApp group.
Meet a Member
This month we meet Emma!
What got you into running/DPR and what do you most enjoy about being a part of DPR?
As a kid, I did track at school – mainly because sprint distances meant it was over quicker! I then traded running for hockey until my mid 20s, when work started getting in the way of regular training. Retiring my hockey stick, I turned back to running as an easy, efficient way to stay active around work travel.
I wanted to join a run club to help push my speed and distances (especially during the winter months). DPR came highly recommended for its friendliness and inclusivity, and from my very first interaction, I have been blown away by how incredibly friendly and encouraging everyone is. It really is a special bunch of people.
What do you most enjoy listening to when you run?
Usually a rotation between a disco house / electronica playlist and a podcast or audiobook – depending on whether I need motivation or distraction.
What is your next running goal?
Last month in Malaga I ran my first half marathon in nearly eight years – and surprisingly, really enjoyed it. Riding the endorphin high, I booked the Wokingham Half that same day. My main goal now is to get round a little quicker…and not regret my post-Malaga enthusiasm!
What is your fave post-run meal?
Despite being labelled a food snob by my friends, I have a soft spot for a cheeky Nando’s – hotter the better and always with macho peas. It’s my go to treat after a long run. Otherwise, my first stop post-run is always an obnoxiously priced flat white.