The Club Championship is decided by a series of five races during winter, spring and summer over varying distances as the water warms up. This process identifies not just the fastest of the Serpentine swimmers but also a champion who competes in all weathers and temperatures.
Members are eligible for the club championship after competing in at least four championship races.
After today, the other dates in the Championship Series are:
2 March, 100m (110 yards)
30 March, 200m (220 yards)
20 April, 400m (440 yards)
1 June, 800m (880 yards)
Will Luckhurst, first place in a fiercely contested finish
President Rob spoke warmly of Ros and her contribution to the club since being introduced to swimming in the Serpentine by Jan Farmer eleven years ago
In 2013 Jan Farmer convinced Ros to swim in the Serpentine rather than just run round it.
Jan, Ros, and Hilary, 1996. The Serpentine Running Club's finest.
Ros joined the then recently formed Serpentine Running Club in the early 1980s. She went on to take part in all that club’s activities from cross country and track and field to running numerous marathons and ultramarathons. Indeed, aged 49 she ran a marathon in what would have been a British record had she been 50. Sadly she was injured when she was 50 but went on to run the prestigious Comrades Marathon (54 miles, uphill route- Durban to Pietermaritzburg) aged 52. Ros became a keystone of the Serpentine Running Club, holding the position of Secretary and then of Chair, the latter when the Club was rewriting its constitution. She also added age grading and computerisation to the monthly handicap system which is still in use today by those on the other side of the lake.
In addition she has done "a little cycling" on the side. One of her more notable rides was to accompany, by bike, World Ultrarunning Champion Hilary Walker when she set the record for running from Lhasa to Kathmandu. Getting into triathlon in her 60s she started cycle time trialling and last year, some 11 years older, set personal bests on 10 and 25 miles, beating times she did as a “youngster”.
In recent years both Ros and Jan have apparently been competing with each other regarding falling off their bicyles. President Rob announced that Jan had recently had another tumble and was now recuperating at home. All present expressed their best wishes for Jan and a speedy recovery.
Two races this morning. First the not-so-fast crowd.
Maybe not championship contenders they were just as keen, sharp and determined in their pursuit of bragging rights, and avoidance of derision from their contemporaries. Well, some were. Others just enjoyed the procession. (photo: Norman Jones)
Fighting for the line (photo: Norman Jones)
Time to take breath, and decide just whose elbow/knee/foot collided with whom (photo: Norman Jones)
Slow race victor Stu Bowman emerging shyly from the lake (photo: Norman Jones)
Race organisers ready for the contenders
Robin Hunter, pensive. Mike Barron, concentrating.
"Go!"
One or two a bit slow off the mark. Others, a bit too quick!
White water all the way to the finish
No quarter asked. None given.
Race well under way
A hair's breadth at the front (photo: Norman Jones)
Time to chat
President Rob wagged a finger at those that "took a flyer"
They shall remain nameless, known only unto the Handicapper
Results read by Ros
First pick of the spoils for today's winner, Will Luckhurst
Stuart Bowman, first man home in the first race
Flora Spenser, first lady of the first race
Too quick for the camera
No photos captured Katie collecting today's prize, so here is one from ten months ago. The Tony Cuthbert cup, 15 April 2023.
Ros awarded John Reid a prize for the morning's oldest competitor
Ben completely refused to be embarrassed and lapped up the attention. His pointer, Heath, was determined to also get some notice. (photo: Norman Jones)
Poppy Lund, well on her way to recovery after a long term foot injury (photo: Norman Jones)
(report compiled by Brian Thomas)