Assembly League

Thanks to the runners of the past who now give up their time to help make traditional running league meetings happen. Tonights race was at Victoria Park...here's some history....The Assembly League takes place on Thursday evenings during the summer from April to September. The six road races provide competitive, fast paced runs over 4.6 to 5.6km (2.9 to 3.5 miles) for men and women. Races are for club runners only and culminate in prizes for individual and team performances at the final race.
The League was set up in the mid 1970s as competition between the London Business houses, such as the banks, stock-exchange, Post Office and major local employers (many since closed) such as Molins and Johnston & Phillips at Deptford. Top class runners were initially excluded as the races were meant to encourage club runners. As the banks and industries reduced in number the league organisers allowed running clubs in South and East London to join; many of the established clubs such as Cambridge Harriers, Kent AC, Eton Manor and Victoria Park Harriers have supported the league since the 1970s. Over the years courses and venues have changed, but for the past few summers the venues have remained at Beckenham, Greenwich and Victoria Park. The races are fast and furious and give runners of all abilities an excellent opportunity to prove themselves on the road over the shorter distances.