Evening all,
Can someone tell me how is it already November?! Anyway, that means it’s the start of the talk about that big event starting with C…
…Cross Country! Oh and there may be a bit of Christmas chat too 😜
Here are this week’s key Alchester updates for you, which include a few deadlines that are this week, so please do read it all and carefully!
🏅Medal Monday 🏅
This weekend saw the return of Cross Country which was also the first race in the 2025/26 Club Championship. It saw a brilliant Alchester turnout by both those running and spectating as well as some fantastic cakes 🍰 Super running, supporting and baking all! 💪🙌👏
Do check out the posts on the Facebook page and Instagram for photos and if we missed you, do let me know and share your pics!
🥳🎉🍾 End of Season Party – Sign Up DEADLINE
It’s been great to see more people signing up in the last week, and we’re delighted to say we have secured some CRACKING raffle prizes for the draw that will take place on the night. But you’ve got to be there to be in with the chance of winning one!
The deadline for signing up and paying for the End of Season Party is the end of the day on Thursday 6th November – that’s THIS THURSDAY! The link is below.
As a reminder, here are the key details you need to know:
📅 Friday 21st November
📍 Bicester Hotel Golf & Spa
⏰ 7pm start
💰 £40 per person
🎉Welcome drink, 3 course dinner, awards, fun and games and more!
✍️ Add your name to this spreadsheet and follow all the details of how to pay and let us know if there’s anyone you’d particularly like to sit with
🏆🗳️ End of Season Awards Voting
The End of Season awards offer you, the members, the opportunity to have your say and to recognise your fellow members for their achievements this year. So, we’d love you all to have your say as to who wins, so please do vote! To help you choose who to vote for, here is a list of all the current members.
To vote, fill in this form by Saturday 8th November. The awards will be presented at the End of Season Party.
🏃♂️ 🕰️ Marathon Times for 2024/25 Club Championship
If you’ve run a marathon in the last year, were a member of the club at the time of running it, and would like your time added to the Club Championship, please add the details to this spreadsheet by Friday 7th November.
Some categories are still very close and your marathon time could make all the difference! Awards will be presented at the End of Season Party!
🗳️ 🏃♂️ London Marathon 2026 Place
Normally Alchester gets one place for the London Marathon that it can give to one of its members to make use of and this year is no different!
To qualify to be in with a chance of getting the club’s place, you need to:
1️⃣ Be a first claim member
2️⃣ Have competed in at least 3 Club Championship events this season
3️⃣ Have volunteered for the club at least once this season – this includes marshalling at the 5k, Cross Country, Mota-vation or parkrun takeover (or helping in some other way)
4️⃣ Have received a rejection email from this years London Marathon ballot
If you meet all of the above criteria and want to be in with the chance of taking up the club’s London Marathon place for 2026, please fill in this form. You then need to send your rejection email to social@alchester-runningclub.co.uk.
Please fill in the form and send us your rejection email by Wednesday 19th November otherwise your name will not be put into the draw.
The draw for the place will then be made at the End of Season Party.
❌ 🏞️ Cross Country Details
It was brilliant to see a good turnout of runners, spectators and cakes on display at the first race of the season at Cornbury on Sunday.
The next race is on Sunday 7th December in Swindon. If you weren’t able to run yesterday but can run in December, add your name to this sign-up sheet by 28th November.
After adding your name, please make payment of £16 to the club account (details below) with the reference of “XC-26 surname”.
Alchester Running Club
Sort code: 30-90-77
Account number: 00792184
We also need someone to volunteer to help marshal at the Swindon race. Please contact Alasdair Kerr or Simon Worfolk if you or a family member/friend are able to.
🥶🌳Winter Social Trail Run
On the fourth Sunday of every month, the National Trust organise a 10k trail run through the grounds of Stowe Gardens. The next one is on Sunday 23rd November and we’ve decided that we will use this as a club social run.
It’s free to run and according to the website it is fully booked, however, Tom Butler has been in touch and we are able to get some places. So, if you’re interested, let Tom know. You can find out more info about the run here.
This week’s Club Night Details
In terms of what’s going on at club nights this week, the details are as follows:
Tuesday 4th November
⏰ 18:55 meet for a 19:00 start
📍 Gavray Drive, the railway track end – here
🏃🏃♀️ The session planned for last week but didn’t up doing, which was: 1000m(60), 5x200m(30), 800m(60), 4x200m(30), 600m(60), 3x200m(30), 400m(30), 2x200m(30), 200m(30), 2x100m(30) – Total = 6000m. Recovery time in brackets. All will be explained on the night if you’re not sure!
Thursday 6th November
⏰ 18:55 meet for a 19:00 start
📍 Bicester Leisure Centre (meet in the car park round the back by the football pitches)
🏃♂️ Various pace groups will take in a variety of routes around the ring road aiming to get back at the same time
🔦🦺 Be seen, be safe. Now that the clocks have gone back, it is definitely worth considering what you wear to ensure that you’re visible but that you can also see on your runs, especially with the ring road light lottery. So do think about wearing hi visibility clothing and bringing torches for the foreseeable!
That’s all for now! Have a great week and hope to see you at some point.
Gleds
On behalf of the Alchester Committee