The event is open to wheelchair athletes and runners over a certified course in Victoria Park. To this day, this remains a core event in the annual club calendar, and holds a very special sentiment to our club members. This is a volunteer-run event, and we look forward to welcoming you to the next edition of this race at our clubhouse.

The next annual event will take place in 16th March 2024.

Race timetable as below. Entries to all races will be on the day.

The origin of the race

In 1966, Victoria Park Harriers held its first-ever Open 5 race. It was run in conjunction with the Club’s Open Boys 3 x 1.5 mile road relay which had been established in 1959. In the first 5-mile event, John H. Roberts of South London Harriers led the 39 finishers in 23:23 with VPH’s own Mike Quanne running a fine 23:43 for 4th place.

2022 saw the renaming of the event in memory of Mike Penman, taking over from the Mike Penman 10km race, which had been held in his memory every spring since he was suddenly taken from us in 2003. A more comprehensive account of the history and evolution of the event is available here.

Race timetable

12:00Registration opens
13:30Registration deadline – junior runners
13:40Race start: One mile for U11 (7 – 10 year olds)
14:00Race start: 2.6 mile for U17, U15 and U13 runners
14:15Registration deadline – seniors & U20 / wheelchair athletes
14:25Race start: wheelchair race (seniors & U20: two laps [5 miles] / juniors: one lap [2.6 miles]
14:30Race start: 5 mile race for seniors & U20 runners

Race results