DPR May Newsletter
Happy May Day! And as we are truly in Marathon Season we are starting off the celebrations this month shouting out our amazing marathon runners. Surya, Beth, Jess W, Martha and Steve B all ran Brighton Marathon, Harris took on a 50k Ultramarathon along the River Thames – an epic achievement! Andrea, Alex G, Courtney, Natalie FC and Carlisle all tackled the Paris Marathon while Ib ran in Newport. Tim and Amanda both ran (slightly different…) Boston Marathons and then in London Helen, Adam, Conor, Imogen, Will B, Alison M, Debbie, John O’B and Zsuzsanna ran in very hot conditions and Jo F ran in Manchester. We’ve seen some amazing performances with several PBs and many running their first ever marathons, which takes such commitment, grit and determination. Congratulations!
Thank you to everyone who came to the post-Marathon social where we got to ogle the ginormous medals earned (pic above). It was also a celebration of the brilliant marshals who gave much needed hugs to random runners, amongst other tasks, and who were shouted out by organisers for their enthusiasm and dedication. Our most recent Marathon runners were treated to massages provided by The Vale Practice who are based on Grove Vale, East Dulwich.
Good luck to anyone taking part in races this month, whatever the distance, including James H and AJ who are running the Edinburgh Marathon on Sunday 25th May.
This Week
If that has got you thirsty for success, we of course have the monthly Dash on Tuesday where we will be using the park route for the first time this year. Meet as usual at the clubhouse or by the Roseberry Gate entrance. And next Sunday 11th May you can watch the next generation of Dulwich Park Runners compete when we host a Junior Fun Run as part of Dulwich Festival. It’s for those aged 4-14 and if your children or someone you know would be interested, you can register here. We also need volunteers to help for a couple of hours at the event – please contact David Mullany if you can!
If you have keen running kids, our club coaches are holding junior coaching sessions in Dulwich Park on Saturday 17th May and Saturday 7th June at 11am for junior members accompanied by their parents. We are looking for someone to act as a coordinator for these sessions, and help out on the day. For more information on the role or the sessions, and to sign up to join a session, please contact coach@dulwichparkrunners.co.uk.
Upcoming Dates for your Diary
Tuesday 20th May – 1 Mile Club Championship – Dulwich Park (in place of normal Tuesday evening social runs). We will meet at 7.30pm in Dulwich Park where parkrun finishes. We’ll do a warm up and aim to start the race at 7.45pm. We’ll then head to a local pub for post race refreshments. If anyone (who isn’t intending to run) would be able to help with timing and result recording for the race please message Lucy R (or e-mail lucy.ross@gmail.com).
Sunday 25th May – our next monthly DPR Sunday Social member-led slot, with Usman Ahmed designing and leading a route. As a reminder our informal and relaxed DPR Sunday Social runs are a great chilled way to get some miles in, and are suitable for runners of all speeds, fitness and abilities. We meet at Dulwich Park Café each Sunday at 9.30am, with 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 also always available – nobody runs on their own. Do be sure to add yourself to the Sunday Social WhatsApp to keep up to date. Pic below of Catherine McLaughlin’s “Hills are alive” run from April, thanks Catherine!
Saturday 31st May – Dulwich Parkrun Takeover – a great opportunity to help publicise the club and show what a friendly and supportive bunch we are, and to give back to one of our local events. Plus there will be the opportunity to socialise afterwards! Do keep an eye out on Whatsapp to sign up to help!
Tuesday 24th June – our summer social and fun relay races at the clubhouse – more info to follow!
Sunday 10th August – our 10k Club Championship – Summer League event – Battersea Park
Sunday 5th October – our 5 Mile Club Championship – we will be repeating last year’s inaugural DPR 5 Mile Open Run in Dulwich Park
Sunday 19th October – our 10 Mile club championship is the Cabbage Patch 10 which has this week sold out! We have 30 members who have entered and are looking at options to see if we can allow more people to take part in the club championship via another race.
A reminder that the Summer League dates are 15th June at Headstone Manor, 29th June at Perivale, the BIG ONE – 13th July at Dulwich where we will need runners and helpers, 27th July in Regents Park and 10th August at Battersea Park.
After every Summer League race there are TEAM RELAYS. We have so many new members and it would be great to see you there, and for you to take part. In order to assist selection for one of the four relay teams (not necessarily by speed, as age gets us points too!) you are invited to submit your 400mt time to coach@dulwichparkrunners.co.uk . Dulwich Park is marked out in 100mt sections, or you are invited to come to Dulwich College track on Thursday evenings in May to join the Improvers warm up at 7.15pm, or just come along at any time up to 8pm to self-time on the track.
For Improvers in May and June we are concentrating on shorter speedwork but with adaptations for anyone keen to run just a bit faster generally. There’s a new section to introduce newcomers and to welcome back those who have been absent for a while either through injury, work, lack of diligence or marathon training (or any other excuse!). You need to have been running at least 10 miles a week over the last few months, and be willing to commit to the training in order to get the most of the sessions. But it’s free to club members! If you are interested and would like more information, or have specific questions, please email coach@dulwichparkrunners.co.uk By the way, the Improvers WhatsApp is used just for last minute communication between current members, so if that’s not you, please don’t request to join!
Many thanks to everyone who turned up on one or more Saturdays to help with the Beginners groups, many of whom have joined the club – welcome! We are in need of a new Membership Secretary urgently with Paul leaving us shortly, please get in touch with our Co-Chairs, James or David, if you’re interested – no particular experience/knowledge needed except for being a friendly face!
Meet a Member!
And finally our new feature – Meet a Member! This month we feature Conor, who was so busy celebrating at the Marathon Social that he lost his medal and missed the photo! Thankfully he found it again. You might not see Conor often at the club as he is busy feeding the good people of East Dulwich – you can find his stall Souvlaki Street on a Saturday at North Cross Market, and if you take part in the monthly Dash you might just win a voucher to his wife’s restuarant, Evi’s. We asked him some very important questions….
Fave song to run to?
A track called Perpetual Motion by Max Cooper. He makes brilliant electronic music and this tune in particular is really hypnotic and helps me zone out.
Best thing about DPR?
Even though I haven’t been to that many Tuesday evening club runs, I’ve met lots of great people – whether at parkruns or the Saturday stall on North Cross Road and it’s made living in the area feel much more connected, with familiar faces popping up almost daily. I’ve also learnt loads about training from other members and really enjoyed taking part in the Summer League events. It’s been great having a bit of competition back in my life after a 25-year gap!
Fave post-run food?
Gemista – it’s a Greek dish of vegetables stuffed with rice, a bit like dolmades (stuffed vine leaves). My favourite is the stuffed tomato.
What got you into running?
It started during Christmas in 2021. My sisters and their husbands went out for a 5k each morning, and on the last day I tried to join but ended up walking most of it. I remember thinking, next year I’m going to keep up with them.
Thanks Conor! If you’d like to take part in a future feature, drop me a line at comms@dulwichparkrunners.co.uk, all welcome!