DPR July Newsletter
WE NEED YOU!!!
It’s July and therefore one of the biggest events of the DPR Calendar and we are struggling for volunteers! Sunday July 13th is our DPR hosted Summer League event where we not only put on an amazing 5 mile race where we compete with other clubs in the league, but also provide the best picnic ever!
We want as many club members as possible to run on home turf. But we also need lots of volunteers to make the event happen – marshals, timers etc. So if you don’t plan on running, why not volunteer? And if you are running can you get a friend or family member to help?
The roles are straightforward and volunteers will get all the instructions and support they need to do a great job. You can sign up here! If you have any questions, please contact summerleague@dulwichparkrunners.co.uk
And if you’re reading this on the 1st – it’s not the Dash tonight! That’s next week for July only 🙂
June Race News
Congratulations to all our June racers! And imagine needing to wear a puffa coat?!! A huge well done to everyone who ran The Midnight Sun half and full marathons in Tromso, Norway on the longest day of the year. David W and Will T were running their first full marathons and also managed to raise over £1000 for the Club Charity, Southwark Day Centre for Asylum Seekers – absolutely brilliant and thank you to them both. Also running the Marathon were Usman and Seb while Ib, Alison and Beth did the Half.
Amanda was the first woman home in the Stapleton 10k on 8th June – a fabulous achievement. We had a great evening at the Dulwich Midsummer Relays on Wednesday 18th June with a scrummy picnic afterwards – pic below. We had nine full teams (with some last minute very welcome reserves stepping up). Our first team to finish was Mind the Gap – James, Ronnie and Nat – in an impressive 10th position. There were some super fast times including from Kate G who ran the lap in 6:19 and James in 5:08. Congratulations to Susan also who achieves a Club Record for the mile in her new age category. Club Records can be viewed here
Kate G and Helen B both ran the 25km distance of the Beyond Trails race on what was a scorcher of a day. Huge kudos to them for getting out there and running in that heat! Nicole ran the Maverick South Downs short course race achieving third woman and third place!
Club Championships
Sunday 10th August – 10k – Summer League event – Battersea Park
Sunday 5th October – 5 Mile – DPR 5 Mile Open Run – Dulwich Park
Sunday 19th October – 10 Mile – Cabbage Patch 10.
We realise that many of you were disappointed when the Cabbage Patch 10 sold out in super-fast time this year. For the purposes of being considered in this year’s 10 Mile Club Championship we will consider a result from any other officially measured 10 Mile race completed between now and 19th October (excluding races that take place on a track, e.g. those at Lee Valley Velodrome). If you would like to be included in the Club Championship results please let me know, prior to your chosen race, which one you intend to do (lucy.ross@gmail.com or whatsapp). There will likely be some opportunity nearer the time to pick up a Cabbage Patch place if we have members who are unable to run who would like to transfer their place, but this should not be relied upon.
Saturday 1st November – 5k – Dulwich parkrun
Other Upcoming Races
Crystal Palace Dinodash – Wednesday 2nd July
This is a super fun evening with teams of 3 running approximately 3.5kms around Crystal Palace Park and the dinosaur lake. We have 7 teams taking part. The race kicks off from the Stadium at 7.30pm. Do come along to cheer the teams on if you can. We will be heading to The Bridge House pub afterwards for some refreshments.
https://crystalpalacefunrunners.co.uk/dino-dash
The Big Half – Sunday 7th September
We have 25 people entered for this race with Community entry places. There is a whatsapp group in the DPR WhatsApp community if anyone else has a place and would like to join
https://chat.whatsapp.com/Gg8B3EcISJlBsuVz6cAcsZ
Sunday Runs
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.
Big thanks to Di Suter for her June member-led route, that took us along the waterless Surrey Canal, with brilliantly informative stop points and beautiful hidden local views along the way – pic below! Sunday July 20 sees our next monthly DPR Sunday Social member-led slot, and this time Lucy Ross will design and lead a route – we’ll be aiming to follow some of the old train line that ran from Nunhead Junction, through what we now know as Sydenham and Dulwich Woods – up to the old Crystal Palace High Level Station. More details on WhatsApp nearer the time, so do ensure you’re added to the group!
And fyi – the recently restored Subway that enabled rail passengers to pass under Crystal Palace Parade, and into the Palace, is open for visitors on Saturday 19 July – if anyone wants to go and see it, to tie in with the run on Sunday 20 July. Info and link to book (free) tickets: https://www.crystalpalaceparktrust.org/pages/how-to-visit-the-crystal-palace-subway.
We aren’t just a running club you know!
Coaching News
Thursday evening Improvers continues throughout the summer. We’ll be working technique, and how to improve yours! There’ll be some self assessment, group assessment, exercises and games to improve and strengthen. And some running to practice!
The sessions are free to members and open to anyone who has consistently run over 10 miles a week for the last few months. If you have any questions or would like to join us, please email Susan at coach@dulwichparkrunners.co.uk
Our next Coaching Surgery is in the Crown and Greyhound after the July Dash on Tuesday 8th July. The sign up sheet is available on the club whattsapp for 15 minute sessions starting at 8.30pm, with Susan, Tom, Zach or Katia
Meet a Member
Thanks to Blanche for taking part this month, let Jess know if you want to play!
Fave song to run to?
There is nothing quite like the feeling of a good run combined with a good tune, it is like stars are aligning! I run to my little running playlist to help me through the harder runs! Right now, my favourite song to run to is One Life Stand by Hot Chip!
Best thing about DPR?
Where to start? The inclusivity of the club and how everyone is so friendly and welcoming are the absolute strengths of the club. There is a real sense of community and so many different things to get involved with for all different abilities. I love the Dash on the first Tuesday of the month!
Fave post run food?
Definitely an oat latte first and then I love a good avo and egg on toast with a bit of marmite after a run!
What got you into running?
I’ve been running on and off for years but was struggling with recurring injuries for a long time. I did Di and Susan’s Beginner course a couple of years ago and that completely changed my approach to running – running based on feeling and building the distance progressively. I now really look forward to my long runs!