We are a very friendly club catering to all abilities, but we still have a competitive streak!
Eagles take part in races and events at all distances - from a matter of metres on the track to going the distance at ultras and everything in between. Here are just a few examples of the sorts of races and events we take part in - this is just a sample, and it's rare to find a weekend when Eagles aren't racing somewhere!
Club Championship
There is an annual internal Club Championship with specific target races throughout the season at distances between 1 mile and a full marathon (although not everyone has to cover every distance to compete). This injects a bit of healthy competition between members and encourages runners to aim to beat the club records. The Championship is open to all of our runners of every ability and is a great way to track improvement year on year as well as seeing how you measure up against your club mates!
Relays
The club takes part in various relay events throughout the year, notably the prestigious Welsh Castles Relay, and the Green Belt Relay around London.
In 2016 the ladies team took 2nd place in their division at the Welsh Castles Relay, and the open team increased their position on the leaderboard to 12th place out of 64 teams, just 4 minutes off a top ten spot. There were also two stage winners amongst the Eagles flock. These amazing achievements led to the Eagles being labelled as a 'team to watch' for the future!
Summer League
The Eagles race in a Summer League during the warmer months. This is a series of competitions between 8 London running clubs. The main race at each event is either a 5 mile or 10km run, which covers all standards. Following this, there is a 'tenderfoot' (1.5-2km) run which is suitable for children, runners returning from injury and runners who prefer a shorter distance. Finally, there is a series of optional, age-graded, 300-400m relays, suitable for all ages and abilities.
Trophies are awarded at the end of the year for individuals in their age categories based on their best three performances in the five races.
Again, all runners are welcome to compete in Summer League. The race series is a fantastic opportunity to meet other clubs in the running community. From 2016 the Eagles have also started to host one of the races, so there are also volunteering opportunities.
Cross Country
We participate in two Cross Country leagues, the Met League and a local Sunday League. Runners of all abilities can take part in these events, as it is all about placing higher up the field than runners from rival clubs. During the 2015-2016 season, the ladies Sunday League Masters team took 1st place and the ladies A team came second. The ladies Met League team won promotion into division B. The 2016 season is just getting underway!
Track and Field
Lots of people do track and field athletics at school, but then don't do it later on in life. There is no particular reason why that should be so - track and field is for everyone! Ealing Eagles is primarily an offtrack (road running, cross country and trail) club, but we have started taking part in track competitions.
Ealing Eagles 10k
Our flagship race has is held in Gunnersbury Park during May, and has been staged since 2011 and continues to grow every year, with 575 runners taking part in the 2016 event. 34 different running clubs were represented including several of our local neighbours from West4 Harriers, Ealing, Southall & Middlesex and Clapham Chasers but also runners from as far afield as York, Southampton, Cardiff, Norwich and Leighton Buzzard!
Ealing Half Marathon
Although the Ealing Half Marathon is not organised by the club, we are closely associated with this brilliant Autumn race and many Eagles play an active role in the planning and organisation. The club also runs specific training sessions (notably for those infamous Ealing 'undulations') open to anyone running EHM in the lead up to the big day.
In 2016 over 200 Eagles took part in the race, and a large number of the volunteers acting as marshals, manning water stations or dealing with the baggage were members of the club.
Ealing Half Marathon was voted the UK's best half marathon three years in a row in 2014, 2015 and 2016 at The Running Awards.
London Marathon
As affiliates of England Athletics, Ealing Eagles receives a number of places for the Virgin Money London Marathon (VMLM) each year. These places are available to members via a club ballot.
All Races Count!
On top of the key races for the club throughout the season, any result recorded at any event can be shared with the club via our Race Officer, so everyone's achievements are recognised. From the Marathon de Sables to a Santa Run or Beer Mile, every race run by an Eagle counts!
Remember, whenever you are racing as an Eagle you are representing our club. There are strong UK Athletics rules against running with another runner’s number and if any Eagle is found to have done this, or to have passed on their number to another runner without an official transfer being recorded, we will report it to the race organiser and ensure they are DQ’d from the race, further consequences up to and including expulsion from the club may also be applied. The same goes for following the rules of individual races, e.g. headphone use in races on non-closed roads. DON’T LET THE CLUB DOWN!