Regional and National Championships
Each year races are selected to be the county (e.g. Middlesex), regional (i.e. southern) or national (English or UK) championships at a number of distances, usually 5k, 10k, half-marathon and marathon. In recent years the London marathon has always been the UKA national championship. Faster Serpies are encouraged to compete in these races if possible and we hope to target these races with teams each year. We often get free places. At the national level it is currently quite confusing with the ERRA (English Road Running Association), UKA (via RunBritain) and England Athletics all organising championships at one distance or another, often on clashing dates!
RunBritain Grand Prix 2014
The top 250 male and female athletes in each of the races gain points towards the overall grand-prix, which has a large pot of prize money. The 2014 races are:
- Reading Half Marathon - 2nd March
- Bristol 10k - 11th May
- London 10,000 - 25th May
- British Milers Club Festival of 10,000m - 6th September
- Cardiff Half Marathon - 5th October
- Leeds Abbey Dash - 16th November
See www.runbritain.com for further details.
Veterans (Masters)
In addition to the senior races, there are also vets (masters) championships at 5k, 10k, 10 miles, half- and full-marathon, selected by the BMAF (British Masters Athletic Federation). There are also separate vets races in the southern 6/4 stage relays in Aldershot and a national 6/4 stage relay championship in Sutton Coldfield each year (usually in May). Contact competition@serpentine.org.uk for further info.