Week commencing 20 May 2024

Training this week : on Monday, 10k-ish on the roads, or less for those returning to training. On Wednesday, on track for exercises, drill, sprints and stretches. Track fee applies – £5 adults, £4 juniors.

Racing this week : on Sunday, for the over-35’s, at Horspath, the British Masters track championships over one mile and 10000m. You need to have entered by now.

Racing next week : on Bank Holiday Monday, 27 May, at Gravesend Cyclopark at 2 pm, the Cecil Gittins Memorial races over 2.5k, 5k and 10k. Counts for the Enfield League. More details here, enter here by the end of Saturday 25th. And at Tilsley Park on Wednesday 29th, 2000m races in the Southern Counties Vets AC Western Division match. Open to guests as usual. Men at 6:30pm, women at 6:50.

Southern Masters League fixtures 2024

The dates of this summer’s SCVAC Western Division Vets’/Masters’ League, as notified to Oxford City members :

Monday 29 April – Horspath, Oxford – probably no walking event

Wednesday 29 May – Tilsley Park – probably men’s 2000m walk at 6:30 pm, women’s at 6:50

Thursday 27 June – Tilsley Park – probably women’s 2000m walk at 6:30 pm, men’s at 6:50

Sunday 7 July – Palmer Park, Reading – probably no walking event

As usual, people of all ages who haven’t been selected to represent one of the clubs in the League, will be able to compete as guests. The events hosting walking races will be confirmed nearer the time.

Week commencing 19 February 2024

Training this week : on Monday, 10k-ish on the roads. On Wednesday, 3x1k sharp on laps of the estate. Hi-viz and/or lights please. Shorter options for anyone returning from injury.

Racing this week : on Saturday at 11 am, the next event in the Enfield League series. Full details in the current Enfield Walker – enter by Thursday. And on Sunday 25th, at Lee Valley, London, provisionally at 4:05pm, a 2000m race in the England Masters Inter-Area competition. You will need to be invited for this.

Racing next week : None.

Week commencing 12 February 2024

Training this week : on Monday, 10k-ish on the roads. On Wednesday, 3x1k sharp on laps of the estate. Hi-viz and/or lights please.

Racing this week : on Saturday at 5pm, the 3000m race in the British Masters Indoor Championships at Lee Valley, London. On Sunday at 1pm, the 3000m race in the UK Athletics Indoor Championships in Birmingham. For both of these, you need to have entered by now – there will probably be live coverage of both races.

Racing next week : on Saturday 24th at 11 am, the next event in the Enfield League series. Full details in the current Enfield Walker. And on Sunday 25th, at Lee Valley, London, provisionally at 4:05pm, a 2000m race in the England Masters Inter-Area competition. You will need to be invited for this.

Week commencing 5 February 2024

Training this week : on Monday, 10k-ish on the roads. On Wednesday, sprints of 50m, 100m and 150m on Copenhagen Drive. Hi-viz and/or lights please.

Racing this week : no open races.

Racing next week : on Saturday 17th at 5pm, the 3000m race in the British Masters Indoor Championships at Lee Valley, London. Enter here by Wednesday 7th. And on Sunday 18th at 1pm, the 3000m race in the UK Athletics Indoor Championships in Birmingham. If you haven’t already entered you might have a few hours left to do so – details here.

Closing dates : today is also the last day to enter the European Masters Indoor Championships in Torun, Poland, on 17-23 March. Features indoor 3000m races and outdoor 5000m races. More details here.

Week commencing 29 January 2024

Training this week : on Monday, 10k-ish on the roads. On Wednesday, sprints of 50m, 100m and 150m on Copenhagen Drive. Hi-viz and/or lights please.

Racing : no open races this week or next.

Closing dates : next Sunday is the last date to accept invitations to the UK Athletics Indoor Championships 3000m races in Birmingham on 18 February. More details here. And also the last day to enter the European Masters Indoor Championships in Torun, Poland, on 17-23 March. Features indoor 3000m races and outdoor 5000m races. More details here.

Week commencing 8 January 2024

Training this week : on Monday, back to usual with 10k-ish on the roads. On Wednesday, 3 x 1000m on laps of the estate. It’s expected to be cold. Hi-viz and/or lights please.

Racing this week : on Saturday at 10:30am, this year’s Enfield League kicks off at Donkey Lane, Enfield, with races up to 10k. Plus presentations to the winners of last year’s League. Details here, enter here. On Sunday at Coventry, probably from 12 noon, the final event in this year’s Midland Winter League, with races of 5k and 10k. Some details here, enter using this form. More details expected soon.

Racing next week : on Saturday 20th at 2 pm, races of 5k, 10k and 15k near Steyning, Sussex. Be ready to leave the Steyning AC clubhouse at 1:30. More details expected soon.

Closing dates : Saturday is the last day for over-35s to express interest in representing the South in the England Masters Inter-Area Indoors match over 2000m on 25 February.

Week commencing 25 September 2023

Congratulations to Noel, silver medal in her age group in the 5000m race in the European Masters Championships in Pescara, Italy ! Pictured above with her fellow medallists. Next race is a 10k on Tuesday. Sadly, no live coverage.

Training this week : with people unwell, on holiday, and competing in Italy, I don’t propose to prescribe any particular training sessions this week. Those who turn up on Monday and Wednesday can agree a session suitable for all. If you go on the roads, don’t forget that it’s getting dark early now, so bring lights and/or reflective clothing.

Racing this week : on Saturday at 1 pm, a 10,000m track race at Coulsdon, South London. Organised by the Veterans AC but open to all, this race is the Championship race for the Vets AC and also the counties of Surrey, Middlesex, Hertfordshire and Sussex. Enter by Friday. Full details and link for entry here.

Week commencing 11 September 2023

Training this week : on Monday, 200s and 800s on Copenhagen Drive. Plus gentler options for anyone who feels they need one. On Wednesday, on track for warmup exercises, drills, sprints and stretches.

Racing this week : on Saturday, it’s the English Schools championships in Bedford. You need to have been entered by now.

Racing next week : two options on Saturday 23rd. Or three if you count the European Masters Championship 5000m races in Pescara, Italy. In this country, there’s the Enfield League meeting, with a PB Awards races and a One Hour race. What awards races ? Full details here. Enter on the day. And at Sandy, Bedfordshire, a 3000m race at 12:40pm. Full details of the meeting, and link for entry, here. Enter by Tuesday 19th.

Week commencing 4 September 2023

Congratulations to Noel – British Champion in her age group in the British Masters national championships in Derby on Saturday !

Training this week : on Monday, 10k-ish on the Radley Lakes loop. Maybe for the last time this year! On Wednesday, 4x200m and 5x800m on Copenhagen Drive. Plus gentler options for anyone who feels they need one.

Racing this week : none.

Racing next week : on Saturday 16th, it’s the English Schools championships in Bedford. You need to have been entered by now.