Hola amigos!
Grand to see you all this morning, and although the weather was cool, the atmosphere was as usual warm and friendly. 
Thanks to all the volunteers who helped out this morning, Team Barcelona and 'on the day' helpers - you all did a stellar job, and the event went as smoothly as it could possibly go, so well done!
We said hello to visitor Eric from Dulwich parkrun this morning and 27 first timers - you're all very welcome and hope to see you back here soon.
We also said congratulations to Oscar Brown, the winner of this month's Sweatshop prize - Oscar runs in the J14 category and in 39 runs, he has achieved 14 PBs, 6 of those being in parkruns this year. His time improvement is a fantastic 10:36, and he has now tipped over 72% age grading firmly makling his mark in the upper running centiles for his age group. Oscar deservedly gets the prize of a new pair of fitted running shoes - many thanks to Hugh Brasher of Sweatshop for their continuing sponsorship of parkrun events - well done Oscar and we expect to see you sub 21 before long!
Simon GREENWELL (SM35-39) of Esk Valley Fell Club, was first in 17:27 - first win in 4th appearance.
Tom GIBBONS (SM30-34) of North York Moors Athletic Club, was second in 18:14.
An unknown runner was third.
Current standing in the Men's annual points competition:
Paul CHRISTON (North York Moors Athletic Club) 9236 pts.
David AINSLEY (North York Moors Athletic Club) 9202 pts.
Brian FIELDING (North York Moors Athletic Club) 8438 pts.
Women's placings:
Sharon GAYTER (VW45-49) of North York Moors Athletic Club, was first (42nd overall) in 21:25 - 31st win in 110th appearance.
Eleanor MULLEN (JW15-19) of Middlesbrough AC, was second (48th overall) in 22:07.
Cheryl GARDENER (VW35-39) (Unattached) was third (50th overall) in 22:15.
Current standing in the Women's annual points competition:
Jessica TYERMAN (Unattached) 8272 pts.
Pauline FERRIER (Unattached) 7905 pts.
Heather PEARSON (North East Veterans AC) 7741 pts.
The following runners recorded the best Age Grade scores:
Shirley Rose GIBSON (VW65-69) was graded 90.68 % for the time 22:42 (59th overall).
Simon GREENWELL (SM35-39) was graded 77.65 % for the time 17:27 (first overall).
Julian BARWICK (VM50-54) was graded 77.63 % for the time 19:09 (9th overall).
This week there were 306 starter and 293 finishers - 45 of you recorded new Personal Bests, including Andrew Featherstone who shaved an incredible 31 seconds off his PB!!! Well done Andrew and much deserved also. Well done all runner for taking part too, including representatives of 18 different athletics clubs.
Good luck to any folk taking part in the inaugural Sunderland marathon tomorrow, and the Tees Barrage 10k on Monday.
Time for me to say adios - this is my last parkrun as Barcelona team leader, and may I say a big thanks to all the folks involved in our team, past and present, Mary Conway, Allison Rae, Claudia Garrido, Paul Fallows, Keith Brown, Esther Kavanagh Dixon, Chris and Linda Salter, Rob Nichols, Sam Smethurst, Amanda Donoghue, Louise Dykes, Andy Johnson, Isaac and Erin Johnson Caddell, and me dear old (she'll kill me!) mum, Deirdre Forth - you've been a smashing bunch and thanks for helping out because I certainly needed the help when the core teams started off. More importantly, though, thanks to Barcelona and all the Albert volunteers because parkrun events depend on everyone volunteering at least 3 times a year to keep them going, and these folk have certainly done their bit at helping out their local parkrun.
As most of you know by now, I'm stepping down from team leader and will be heading up the road to concentrate on the development of the new Stewart parkrun, which is likely to start around end of June 2012. I'll be back for the 4th birthday/ Jubilee run briefly, but I do hope some of you will make a visit up there from time to time, although, be warned - it's not a flat course! Good for a bit of hill work though.
I hope to be able to have some weeks free, once its bedded in, to come back and visit Albert. But what I really hope is that the hills up at Stewart will improve my fitness so that I can come back to Albert and get a PB!!!
Have a great Bank holiday weekend everyone and happy parkrunning!
Adios, and see you soon,
Sharon