Report by Tim Ellis
As we near that two hundred Basingstoke parkrun milestone, it seems we also regularly turn out two hundred plus runners. Being a bit of a softy myself as one who enjoys the warmer weather, I was heartened to speak to a fellow parkrunner who also likes a bit of warmth. Most of you it seems, like to run in temperatures that some consider at least three layers of clothing a necessity. I take my hat off to all of you – or though not literally – as during a recent 10km I was about the only person wearing a hat. Do none of you get cold ears, I ask? I guess you are all made of harder stuff.
OK – let's talk about personal bests. It was another bumper week with 46 of you breaking your own previous best times. So well done to all of you. We know as runners that it is not all about PBs – any runner will tell you but we also know you can't beat a day when you do it. It was pleasing to see so many of you very young runners so rightly elated at your achievement and they are:
Daniel Pengelly JM14
Mark Gillingham JM14
Grace Carley JW14
Tom Dainton JM14
Tristan Little JM14
Cameron Coveney JM14
Another parkrunner to hit the fifty run threshold is Alison Willson who also runs very consistent times probably because she is a self confessed 'never have an easy run' – Well done. Congrats too to Steve Fleck who ran his 100th parkrun, 99 of them have been here at Basingstoke with the one ‘away’ parkrun being Glasgow back in April 2010.
The Ladies race was wrapped up convincingly by Jackie Perrin (VW45-49) in 19:31 giving her an impressive 12th overall and an excellent age grade of 81.38%. Naomi Shaylor (VW40-44) came in second and Caroline Leppard (SW25-29) completed the podium. In the Ladies points, Clare Murgatroyd (VW40-44) still leads with 2922 points with Victoria Dick (VW40-44) in second with 2459 points and Sarah Aldridge (SW25-29) in third place with 2282 points.
Well done to Thomas Watson for getting up to 2nd in the Mens race, Thomas appears to have moved into the senior mens category but that has yet to be clarified. He was closely followed by Ian Carley (VM40-44) from Farnham runners who recently joined the 50 parkrunner club and has cross country duties tomorrow. John Mosquera still leads the points with 2609 closely followed Steve Fleck with 2544 points – so all to play for here.
There have been some approaches made to organisers about car sharing. We would always encourage runners to car share where possible and of course we hope that as many as possible find alternative means of getting to the events. I am sure everyone appreciates that it will be necessary for runners to organise this amongst themselves as this falls outside of our volunteers remit. We would welcome news of how any car sharing may be progressing as we like to share good examples of such practices.
See you all next week.
Basingstoke parkrun
Event number 193
28th January 2012
Men's placings:
Tim ELLIS (VM50-54) of Vets AC, was first in 17:52 - 16th win in 103rd appearance.
Tom WATSON (SM---) (Unattached) was second in 18:03.
Ian CARLEY (VM40-44) of Farnham Runners was third in 18:05 - 2 previous wins.
Current standing in the Men's annual points competition:
John MOSQUERA (Unattached) 2609 pts.
Steve FLECK (Tadley Runners) 2544 pts.
Tim ELLIS (Vets AC) 2542 pts.
Women's placings:
Jackie PERRIN (VW45-49) of Reading Roadrunners, was first (12th overall) in 19:31 - 9th win in 14th appearance.
Naomi SHAYLOR (VW40-44) of Cani-Cross, was second (35th overall) in 22:26 - 8 previous wins.
Caroline LEPPARD (SW25-29) of Hart Road Runners, was third (37th overall) in 22:29.
Current standing in the Women's annual points competition:
Clare MURGATROYD (Basingstoke & Mid Hants AC) 2922 pts.
Victoria DICK (Running 4 Women Club) 2459 pts.
Sarah ALDRIDGE (Unattached) 2282 pts.
The following runners recorded the best Age Grade scores:
Tim ELLIS (VM50-54) was graded 83.86 % for the time 17:52 (first overall).
Jerry CLEALL-HARDING (VM55-59) was graded 81.54 % for the time 19:30 (11th overall).
Jackie PERRIN (VW45-49) was graded 81.38 % for the time 19:31 (12th overall).
This week there were 210 runners, of whom 19 were first timers and 46 recorded new Personal Bests. Representatives of 17 different athletics clubs took part.
Basingstoke parkrun started on 5th July 2008, and since then 2,860 different runners, including participants from 146 athletics clubs, have completed 22,349 runs covering a total distance of 111,745 km, and there have been 4,644 new Personal Bests.
The Women's course record is held by Sophie MORRIS who ran in a time of 16:56 on 29th November 2008 (event number 21).
The Men's course record is held by Brian WAKEM who ran in a time of 15:54 on 18th July 2009 (event number 54).
The Age Grade course record is held by Jane GEORGHIOU who recorded a 90.46 % run (20:47) on 31st July 2010 (event number 110).
Today's full results and a complete event history can be found on the Basingstoke parkrun Results Page.