📰 July News📰 

July was a month that included two big events in the TRC diary – a #runandtalk with Andy from @sharetheweight247 and a running trip to Southend seaside!

The #runandtalk took place on Thursday 3rd July. The aim of the session was for social connection and to raise awareness for mental health. 18 runners attended and together we enjoyed a gentle 5K+ run to the Curly Whirly and back. We were joined by the infamous Andy Baines-Vosper who is well known in the running sphere for running with his 24.7kg bag of worries on his shoulders. His aim is to ask a million people to share the weight as a representation of encouraging people to verbally share their worries to support mental health and lighten the load. Our TRC runners took to the challenge and all eagerly took turns to carry Andy’s bag of worries.  As well as this being a great opportunity to talk about an important current societal concern, it was also great exposure for the club after we collaborated with Andy on Socials. You can see what we got up to here.

Towards the end of the month, our TRC runners had their summer outing to Southend-on-Sea, which was accurately named “Fish ‘n’ Chips Run”. The 15 runners enjoyed a 10K social run along the seafront, including the longest pleasure pier in the world. Afterwards, they had fish and chips at Ye Olde Chippy followed by another Southend tradition – Rossi’s ice cream. After all, runners enjoy their food as much as their running, right?

In parkrun news, Will continues his touring streak with Ashford, Walmer and Deal Seafront, and Chalkwell Beach bringing his tourist streak total to an impressive 43 parkruns! Yat represented TRC abroad again with New York Central Park Trails (NB: a parkrun not in New York…), and then also toured locally to Sutcliffe. Alessandro also represented TRC abroad at Favorita parkrun, Sicily. Other adventures included Kevin to Midleton Greenway and Alderley, Gemma and Alex to Frogmary Green Farm and Mount Edgcumbe and Christos to Hoblingwell and Foots Cray Meadows. Liam also mixed it up a little with Sutcliffe parkrun. Others kept to our regulars at Thames Park, Bexley and Charlton.

Finally, in non-running news, our club members have been expanding their sporting skillset with regular meetups to go kayaking and canoeing on Southmere Lake. These are being organised informally by club runners so please keep an eye out on our WhatsApp 5K running group for more information.

‼ Club Updates ‼

🗓  The next Beginners Group (C25K) will be starting on Saturday 20th September. This is a 12-week course FREE for both members and non-members. Please help us spread the word.

🎉 Our clubs AGM will be taking place soon, please keep an eye out on the WhatsApp Community Announcements for the confirmed date.

🎉 July things to celebrate🎉

We said hello to new members Gemma, Paul and Rebecca 👋

Christos achieved a 15K PB on a club run ⏱️

Andrew completed the Brands Hatch 10K 🏅

Rachel completed the JP Corporate Challenge race, knocking off 3-minutes from her 2023 time, despite the scorching heat 🏅

Ana completed the Standard Chartered 5K Race 🏅

Patty completed the Sittingbourne Striders 10-miler, achieving 1st in her age category and 7th female overall 🎉

Will completed the Sandwich 10K 🏅

Liam achieved a course PB at the Salcony 10K 🎉

We welcomed our newest and youngest member of TRC as Leanne gave birth to a baby boy named Kai. Congratulations Leanne!! 😊

The club was represented in two more countries – Canada & Sicily 🌍

Sam got her London Marathon 2025 tattoo 🎉

⭐️Runner of the Month ⭐️

This month it goes to Hindu for her comeback to running after having surgery. Hindu completed TRC’s 12-week beginner course in January as a way of supporting her return to running and has been slowly continuing to build up again since the course finished in April. Hindu is now up to a very respectable 15KM and continues to train for the Big Half in September. Coming back from surgery, and feeling like you are starting over again, can be one of the hardest things we face as runners but Hindu’s commitment and mental stamina to keep going is admirable. Well done Hindu!! 😀👏