Welcome to an early edition of our August newsletter. The big news this month is the launch of our members’ survey – details below. But we also look back at a very successful summer league event at Dulwich, and ahead to our remaining races at Regent’s Park and Battersea Park.
Club Survey
We are now launching a feedback survey for members to give their views on what the club does well currently, and what we could implement to be even better.
We last carried out a survey in February 2022, and the findings were very positive. They also helped the committee identify how the club could improve our offer to members. This included informing the introduction of Sunday morning runs, the option of earlier runs on Tuesday and the club WhatsApp group.
As well as general improvements to how the club operates, the committee are also keen to obtain feedback on diversity and inclusion. We regard the club as really welcoming to new runners, and are proud of what everyone brings to the club. Nevertheless, running remains a sport in which some groups are over-represented. We therefore think we should challenge ourselves on whether we are doing all we can to ensure that the club is open and inclusive to everyone in a diverse local area. The committee believes this is essential to help the club achieve our mission (‘Creating a healthy local community through running.’), and is consistent with our vision and values (all described on the club website here).
The findings of the survey will feed into the club’s diversity and inclusion plan, which is a commitment in the club’s annual plan agreed at our AGM. We intend to present this at the mid-year club forum planned for 19 September. We would also like to conduct one or two focus group sessions as part of this – an ask for volunteers to participate will come around shortly.
The survey can be accessed here – it is not long, and we really do value everyone’s responses. It will be open until Thursday 17 August.
Updating Diversity Information
As part of this, we are keen to monitor how well the club’s membership reflects the local community and to do this effectively we obviously require certain data. We are therefore asking members to update their individual profiles on the England Athletics website.
Summer League
Firstly, a look ahead to our next Summer League fixture, which is at Regent’s Park next Sunday (30 July). This time it is a 10k race starting at 9.30am, followed by the tenderfoot race and relays. It would be fantastic to have a good turnout to build on our success at Dulwich (more on that below).
The race HQ is at Regent’s Park Sports hub, towards the north-west of the park. There is unfortunately no Overground service south of New Cross Gate on Sunday, so the best options appear to be to take the bus to Brixton and then tube to Baker St, or to brave a rail replacement bus followed by tube from Canada Water to Baker St – both leaving Forest Hill around 7.45.
The final summer league event of the year is at Battersea Park on 20 August – more details to follow.
Away from next weekend, a massive thank you to everyone who made the Summer League Event we hosted such a success. We had great feedback from our fellow running clubs. And it was a successful day running-wise – we came in 3rd place, a mere 37 points behind 2nd. This was buttressed by a strong display in the relays – times for those who took part are here (thanks to Susan for noting these).
Full results of the Dulwich Park and Perivale summer league fixtures are here.
The Big Half – 3 September
We’re pleased to (unexpectedly) have been allocated more community places for the Big Half race on 3 September. These were balloted to the following members: Barbara Wren, Beth Simpson, Ciaran Williams, Fiona Callister, Jess Hodgson, Jules Irenge, Ollie Gilbert, Sonia Burrows, Steve Lewis and Will Tyrell. If balloted a place, you’ll receive more information by email.
If you’ve received a ballot place, but no longer think you will run the race, please let us know ASAP so that we can reallocate it to someone else.
August rounders – 18 August
Our next social event is a friendly game of rounders and some drinks in Dulwich Park on the evening of Friday 18 August – hope you can all make it!
DPR Club Kit
Everyone looks good in DPR kit! Contact Lynne (clubkit@dulwichparkrunners.co.uk) or catch her at the club at 7.30pm on Tuesdays if you would like to get your hands on some DPR kit. We now have DPR running caps (see below) at £10, and extra vests and T-shirts at £20 each.
If you’d like a hoodie for when the weather gets chillier in the Autumn, let Lynne know so that she can put an order in.
The Dulwich Park Runners Autumn 2023 Beginners Course starts on Saturday 2 September. As usual it’s an 8 week course, with a 5 week course for the 5k-5milers. Please circulate the news to any friends or family or work colleagues who may be interested. All info will be on the club website, and applications open 1 August.
Dulwich Dash
Lastly, a reminder that the Dulwich Dash returns on Tuesday 1 August. We’re once more on the summer park route.
July’s Dash saw damp conditions, but they were no match for Anna who ‘stormed’ home to first place. Full results below.
