Hello everyone – welcome to your DPR February newsletter! There is a huge amount of events, news and running on this Spring – so get out your calendars and lace up your trainers for it all!
Annual Dinner
Our wonderful annual dinner takes place on Friday 8 March on International Women’s Day.
All for just £29.50 pp.
Cross Country – Saturday 10 February
Well done to those who ran at Oxshott and Beckenham – results lower down the email.
Our final cross-country fixture of the season is at Lloyd Park in Croydon on Saturday 10 February – so nice and local. Our current understanding is that the the men’s race will start at 12pm, followed by the women’s at 2pm.
Before cross country, we’re also doing another one of our takeovers of Dulwich parkrun. Come along in the morning to be part of the volunteer group that runs the parkrun. We will need lots of volunteers – email dulwich@parkrun.com if you’re able to help out.
If you thought you had missed your chance to win DPR 2023 silverware, then you’d be wrong! Our postponed 2023 10k club championships are taking place at the Runthrough 10k in Hyde Park on Saturday 17 February. Entries are here , and you can use a discount code HYDEPARKFEB24SONIAGROUP to get a reduced price entry. The race is a 9.30 start. It was a great event last year on a fast course, so plenty of opportunity for a 10k PB.
Lots of upcoming races as the cross country season starts to bleed into Spring half- and full-marathon season:
- Dash for the Splash (4 February): a regular DPR favourite, this trail race on Wimbledon Common returns this Sunday. Entries available here.
- Wokingham Half Marathon (25 February): several DPRers have entered this, but it is now full, so if you’re looking for a half and you’ve already entered the club event at Kew…
- Paddock Wood Half Marathon (3 March): …is a well-regarded half and still has spaces. Flat and fast, the race starts at 9.30am. Entries here.
A reminder that this year’s club AGM will be on Tuesday 26 March.
Beginners
The arrival of Spring also means the arrival of our Spring beginners and 5k-5miles courses, which start on Saturday 2 March in Dulwich Park. Applications are now open so if you know someone who might be interested in getting into running, please do point them in the direction of the courses. As previously our Beginners have a choice of 8am or 9am start, 5k-5milers at 10am. We meet inside Queen Mary’s Gate. More information and the signup link is here.
As usual we’ll be asking for volunteers to help out as running buddies. There’s no need to do a whole morning, or any more Saturdays than suit you, but we couldn’t do it without you! If you’re new to this and would like to know more, please email beginners@dulwichparkrunners.
We are delighted to reintroduce the club’s attendance award for 2024. This will be awarded based on points scored throughout the year, which are available for attending cross-country, club championships, summer league, beginners, our 40th anniversary event in October and Dulwich Dash events.
Thursday coaching courses
Our Thursday track sessions are continuing on the newly laid Dulwich College track, with an emphasis on improving your endurance and speed.
The sessions are free. We don’t know of any other clubs who offer free sessions of this nature, so it is a fantastic opportunity to improve your running. You need to be running at least 10 miles per week to take part.
If you are not already in Susan’s list for Thursdays, please email her at coach@dulwichparkrunners.co.uk for more info. Or if you would like help with race schedules, or coaching tips for general running please drop Susan an email.
Dulwich Dash – 13 February
This month’s Dulwich Dash is on the later-than-usual date of 13 February – as usual, it’s a 7.30pm meet at the Rosebery Gate.
Three social events over the next month:
Recent racing has focussed on cross country. We started 2024 with our third Surrey League fixture at Oxshott, including a super turnout of 27 women and 13 men. The women’s A team came in 14th and the B team 20th in Division 2, while the men’s team were 8th in Division 4. Full results are here.
The parkrun ladder is back this week after a break for cross-country. Bonus points galore available as we enter the final weeks – can anyone catch Shannan and David? Latest standings here.
Thank you to everyone who ordered a DPR 40th anniversary T-shirt – the orders are now in and we expect the kit to arrive in March.
Dulwich Park Friends are always looking for help in keeping the beautiful park we love to run around neat and tidy – their next volunteering session is Sunday 3 February; meet at the Francis Peek building and bring strong shoes/wellies and gloves.