October 2016

Roll up, roll up: Mitcham Common race details 2nd November 2016

October 31, 2016 Emma Butcher

Name: Mitcham Common LUCA London Colleges League race What is it: Part of a series of cross-country races run by LUCA for all students from London universities – see more details at http://www.london-athletics.com/lcl/ When is it: 2nd November at 3:15p.m. Where is it: Mitcham Common Race HQ: Mill House Ecology Centre, Windmill Rd, Mitcham CR4 1HT Closest train station: Mitcham Junction (from Victoria in 22mins or St Pancras in 39 mins) or Mitcham Eastfields (from Victoria in 19mins or St Pancras in 34mins). Who is it for: Any student from a […]

Parliament Hill XC Race Report

October 29, 2016 Rahil Sachak-Patwa

With Autumn in full swing and the athletics season over, runners once again turn their attention to cross country. The first London Colleges League meet of the season took place on Wednesday 21st October at Parliament Hill, a course familiar to many runners around the country and the annual starting location for the league. With a record 252 athletes competing, each club was keen to make a strong start. St Mary’s have had a stronghold over the men’s league in recent years, winning the […]

Laviai Nielsen ‘inspired’ by Jessica Ennis-Hill

October 28, 2016 James Findon

London 2012 was a pivotal moment for GB heptathlete, Jessica Ennis-Hill. The poster girl for the games had a chance to win Gold in front of a home crowd. It was a chance that she seized and the rest, as they say, is history. But Jess’ victory had a profound and lasting effect. Standing behind her on the track, was a young Laviai Nielsen – a kit carrier volunteer. Nielsen, 20, is now the European Junior 400m champion and BUCS 200m champion. My inspiration always ❤️ #JessicaEnnisgoodnight 😢 A photo […]

Calling all girls – ‘This Girl Can’ neon rave run

October 27, 2016 Lucy Patchett

Are you ready to get your running shoes on and be part of something huge?! As part of the nationwide ‘This Girl Can’ Campaign, LUCA are inviting all you lovely ladies to show London what you are capable of by joining us on our Neon Rave Run on the 10th November. Let’s celebrate active women who are doing their thing, no matter how well they do it, how they look or how red their face gets – or in our case, how much neon paint is on it. The last […]

Injury Anxiety: the path to recovery

October 25, 2016 Sophie House

All athletes experience injuries from time to time. But the thought of being injured, and taking time out from our sport, often evokes a hell of a lot of frustration, self-doubt, and anxiety. So, besides the obvious physical pain of injury, we are often left feeling heartbroken and a little bit empty too, torn away from our love affair by shin splints. There are plenty of incredibly useful articles out there about how to recover physically from sports injuries; from stretching to strengthening techniques, or ice and elevated resting. Many of […]

Parliament Hill XC results now available!

October 21, 2016 William Jones

Congrats to everyone who raced at the first LUCA Cross Country race of the season, with a record turnout of 252 athletes! Placings can now be found on the results page

First XC Race set to begin at Parliament Hill

October 17, 2016 Emma Butcher

Race: Parliament Hill LUCA London Colleges League race What is it: Part of a cross-country series run by LUCA for all students from London universities – more details at http://www.london-athletics.com/lcl/ When is it: Wednesday 19th October at 3p.m. Where is it: Parliament Hill, Hampstead Heath – the start is to the right of the athletics track Who is it for: Any student from a LUCA member club, it doesn’t matter whether you’re trying out cross-country for the first time or are well-acquired with extensive amounts of mud already! How far is it: Around […]

The Mindset of a Runner

October 16, 2016 Rahil Sachak-Patwa

At the elite level, there is a nature versus nurture debate in long distance running. Specifically, the question many people ask is, “why are East African runners so good?” Although many scientists have tried to answer this question, the running community is still unsure on the whole. Geneticists have shown that there are ‘athlete genes’, which predispose some people to be better runners than others, for instance determining how much athletes benefit from training. All thing considered though, we are all genetically very similar. If most people have the ability to […]

Farewell, Jess.

October 13, 2016 Lucy Patchett

The day of Jessica Ennis-Hill’s retirement has come. Team GB’s poster girl had been battling with the decision of when to retire since winning Silver in Rio. Ennis-Hill announced her retirement via social media earlier today. “Winning silver in Rio capped an amazing career for me and I feel the time is right for me to step away from the track and competing. I am so grateful to everyone who has supported me and worked with me over the years.” The 30 year old renowned Heptathlete has enjoyed major success since […]

London Students’ Run: Two Months To Go!

October 5, 2016 Jay Reynolds

This December, London Universities and Colleges Athletics (LUCA) is hosting the first ever London Students’ 5 & 10K run. Taking place on December 4th, the two fun races will start and finish outside the London Stadium, former host of London 2012 and now home to West Ham United, by the iconic ArcelorMittal Orbit in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. To be outside an arena that has held some of the greatest athletics spectacles ever will certainly be something! You will be running through the Parklands, a route that is part […]