May 2017 – LUCA

UCL win athletics quadruple

May 28, 2017 James Findon

UCL have won the LUCA Outdoor Series and University of London Outdoor championships, adding to the two indoor championships they won in November. There was no doubt at the start of the third stage that UCL would win the Outdoor Series. But for the majority of the afternoon, LSE led the University of London Outdoor Championships. Strong showings in the relays saw UCL leapfrog LSE into the lead, winning the championships with 233 points to LSE’s 209 and King’s 201. Full results available here and on powerof10 soon. More results […]

LUCA Outdoor final build-up

May 26, 2017 James Findon

Battersea’s Millennium Arena will once again host the LUCA Outdoor Series final tomorrow. UCL are expected to win the series but there will be plenty of drama in the individual events and between teams competing for the University of London Outdoor Championship. If the UofL championships had been held at Twickenham or Woodford, UCL would have won both times. However, LSE and King’s have increased the size of their teams for tomorrow’s meet. Barts will also be competing for the first time. Points for the UofL champs are calculated in the same […]

LUCA Outdoor Final Entries

May 23, 2017 James Findon

169 athletes have entered 357 events and 39 relays at the LUCA Outdoor Series Final this Saturday 27th May. A full list of entries can be found below. Fifteen LUCA teams will go head to head for points in the LUCA Outdoor Series, with UCL firm favourites to win the championship for a second year in a row. Nine University of London clubs will also be competing for the University of London Outdoor Championships, the first time the championships have been held since 2009. Due to low entry numbers in the Hammer […]

Colin McCourt – the comeback kid

May 19, 2017 Emma Butcher

Lucky LUCA got the chance to catch up with Colin McCourt recently, a former St Mary’s student with bundles of running talent and an interesting challenge on his hands this year. 1. For any readers who haven’t heard, can you explain what led to you being challenged to a bet to run a sub-16 minute 5km time by the end of the year (or receive 17 tattoos on your body!)? Well, it’s a bit of a mad story to be honest. I found a picture on my phone, an old […]

Personal Best

May 16, 2017 Dan Richards

Not only did you do it, you did it better than ever before! You jumped further, you ran faster, or you threw further than EVER before! A personal best, a lifetime best, a personal record, however you phrase it those two words make it all worthwhile. Even if this was the first time, it’s official now! You were nervous during the warm up when they told you to “do your best”, but you did exactly that! Maybe that start was perfect, your form was better or you nailed the take-off […]

My London Marathon: Part I

May 14, 2017 Rahil Sachak-Patwa

There was a nervous but hopeful atmosphere in the red starting area an hour before the London Marathon was to commence. It was akin to a music festival with big screens, portaloos and a sea of excited individuals in shorts. We were funnelled into the start zone and it was only when we were crammed into the pens that the scale of the race dawned on me. We stood there for an endless amount of minutes, making small talk and prepping ourselves for the quest ahead of us. Eventually the clock […]

How Running Can Help Fight Depression

May 11, 2017 James Findon

Living with anxiety and depression is a real and agonising struggle for millions of students. I know because I was one of them. It is estimated that one quarter of the population will suffer from some kind of mental health issue each year, with depression affecting nearly a fifth of UK adults. It is a growing problem. Suicide is now the biggest killer of British males under the age of 50, leading to the deaths of around 100 men every week. And it’s not just a rising problem in men. Women are actually […]

#Breaking2 Hour Marathon – Close But No Cigar

May 8, 2017 Seth Kennard

Early on Saturday morning (6th May), Nike made their bid to make history with a sub-2 hour marathon. Three runners, Eliud Kipchoge, Lelisa Desisa and Zersenay Tadese, started together on the Monza’s Formula One race course in Italy. Only Kipchoge came close in the end, crossing the line in 2:00:25. That time takes 2:30 minutes off the previous record, held by Dennis Kimetto. This was an impressive 2:02:57, set in competition at the 2014 Berlin marathon. Technically though, Kipchoge’s incredible run won’t count as a world record because it was […]

Motspur Ground Records Released

May 7, 2017 James Findon

The LUCA Alumni club, Motspur AC has published grounds records of Motspur Park. The “all comers’ records of the former University of London stadium, were provided by David Morgan, honorary Chairman of UL. Motspur Park was sold to Fulham Football club and the track torn up in 1988. It had hosted the University of London Intercollegiate Championships and acted as the training venue for London Athletics Club. National and regional championships were also held there. The intercollegiate championships are still held today – nested within the LUCA Indoors and Outdoor Series championships. Roger Bannister […]

AGM, awards and after-party plans announced

May 5, 2017 James Findon

LUCA is proud to announce details of this years AGM, awards and after-party. The AGM and awards evening will be held on Sunday 28th May, followed by an after-party in South Kensington. Imperial College will host the evening at their student union at the Beit Quad, Prince Consort Road, SW7 2BB. The AGM will start proceedings at 1500. Delegates from all LUCA member clubs are invited. To nominate a motion for discussion or nominate yourself for a committee position, click here. All nominations must be received before the AGM. All committee positions […]