April Update Newsletter

I'm in shock, the sun has come out and the temperature is in double figures.  Have I been transported to another country? Time for an April update.

This Thursday 18th April - Assembly League Starts - Evening Races

A reminder that this brilliant series of 6 summer road races starts this week. Each held on a Thursday night, usually 3-3.5 miles in length.  The club often does well in this league, with some good competition at every level.   If the fast, free, fun racing isn't enough for you there's usually a post-race social as well.

• 18th April New Beckenham
• 9th May Victoria Park
• 13th June Dulwich Park
• 4th July Battersea Park
• 8th August Victoria Park
• 5th September New Beckenham

A bit more about the Beckenham race...
The season starts and ends with the Beckenham fixture.  There are good facilities and transport links to this event, with somewhere to leave your gear and shower afterwards, there's even a bar.  
It's really important we get as many out for these events.  We traditionally do very well at this event but fail to take the prizes because we've sent insufficient runners to the Beckenham matches. Remember, if you run for the club you will make a difference to the results, so don't worry about whether you think you're fast enough.  Like cross-country, it's your finish position that counts and by running ahead of another runner you prevent them scoring as highly - so you help the club score more points. 
Travel to Beckenham:
The race venue is Beckenham Cricket Club on Foxgrove Road, which is a short walk from either of the stations A link to the map is below:
http://www.streetmap.co.uk/newmap.srf?x=537714&y=170099&z=1&sv=537714,170099&st=4&ar=Y&mapp=newmap.srf&searchp=newsearch.srf

Trains:
There are frequent trains and plenty of routes to get there + you can use your Oyster card - so no need to buy a ticket. Given the start time aim for a train as close to 6pm as possible. It's very easy, I've given you the times:
- From London Bridge: trains at 17:52, 18:00, 18:13, 18:23, 18:35 and take around 18 mins.
- From Victoria to Beckenham Junction trains depart 17:45, 18:00, 18:15, 18:30 and take around 21 mins.
-  There are also trains from London Blackfriars either direct or with a change. 
Check www.nationalrail.co.uk for times and further details and any last-minute delays or changes.

- You can also take the DLR to Lewisham and take an easy train to either to Beckenham Junction or to New Beckenham station at 17:50, 18:11, 18:33, 18:43, taking around 10 minutes.

Driving:  It's not too tough to get to by car and makes coming home easier.  There is sufficient parking on the streets around the cricket club.  If you are driving and can share a lift, please post on the noticeboard.

Sunday 21st April - Virgin London Marathon 2013

I've put more info about the day on the noticeboard.  Please see this post for more info about who is running, how to support and the evening party.

Thursday 25th April - Monthly Handicap - 7pm 

Time for the handicap once again.  Now with a bonus 2.1 miles - yes the clocks have changed, spring is here, so we move to the 5 mile course in the park.  As usual, details and previous results will all be on the noticeboard.

Track & Field Athletics - 2013 Fixtures

Please see this post on the noticeboard and keep an eye on the fixtures page at the front of the website.  Please contact me if you are interested in competing / participating and I can put you in touch with Tony MacDowall or Emily Mosedale - the club's directors for senior athletics.

Subscriptions - Another reminder

Some of you will have received a reminder to update your monthly subscription standing orders.  Please do take the time to update your subs if you have not already done so, they changed in November 2012 so are long, long overdue.  Please contactmembership@vphthac.org.uk for questions or see the membership section of the website.

Open 5 2013 - Thank you

Lastly, a big thank you to all of those who took part in, supported, helped out at, came along to the annual Open 5 race.  It was great to see so many club members out on a great day.  The race was well received, I've seen lots of complimentary emails and comments from others who have taken part.

That's it for now.

Simeon

Men's Road & XC Director

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Remember, there are many ways to keep in touch with your club:

• Find out what your clubmates are up to on the Club Facebook page
• Get the latest news and updates, follow @VPHTHAC on Twitter
• Get news, updates and race results on the club noticeboard
• Keep an eye out for forthcoming fixtures on the club website