A new attendance record was set at Bedfont Lakes parkrun this morning! We had 117 runners finishing in today’s chilly conditions to beat our previous record of 114 runners set on 14^th June 2011. This included 7 first time runners and a very impressive 28 new personal bests were recorded.

We welcomed fledgling Run Director Dan Soutar who directed today's event perfectly for his first time, thank you Dan! A big thank-you also goes to our team of 13 dedicated volunteers that braved the cold weather this morning.

We also welcomed two regular Bedfont runners to the parkrun club, Merilyn Davis (100 runs) and Bob Bannister (50 runs). Congratulations to Merilyn and Bob!

And here are todays results:

Men's placings:
Jon WORCESTER (SM25-29) of Metropolitan Police AC, was first in 17:00 - second win in third appearance.
Ian CHARLTON (VM45-49) (Unattached) was second in 19:13 - 11 previous wins.
Simon STONE (SM35-39) (Unattached) was third in 19:23.

Current standing in the Men's annual points competition:
David LLOYD (Unattached) 3254 pts.
Ian CHARLTON (Unattached) 3199 pts.
Graham SHAW (Unattached) 3135 pts.

Women's placings:
Victoria Louise EDWARDS (VW40-44) of Runnymede Runners, was first (10^th overall) in 21:26 - first appearance.
Merilyn DAVIS (VW50-54) of Stragglers, was second (27^th overall) in 23:12 - 12 previous wins.
Jill BURGE (VW45-49) (Unattached) was third (52^nd overall) in 26:34.

Current standing in the Women's annual points competition:
Toni CALLEN (Unattached) 3116 pts.
Merilyn DAVIS (Stragglers) 2674 pts.
Theresa BUTCHER (Unattached) 2462 pts.

The following runners recorded the best Age Grade scores:
Ian CHARLTON (VM45-49) was graded 76.15 % for the time 19:13 (second overall).
Gary RUSHMER (VM50-54) was graded 76.03 % for the time 19:24 (4^th overall).
Jon WORCESTER (SM25-29) was graded 75.88 % for the time 17:00 (first overall).

Bedfont parkrun started on 9th May 2009, and since then 1,619 different runners, including participants from 115 athletics clubs, have completed 10,515 runs covering a total distance of 52,575 km, and there have been 2,161 new Personal Bests.

The Women's course record is held by Vicky GILL who ran in a time of 17:50 on 1st August 2009 (event number 13).
The Men's course record is held by Tim HAUGHIAN who ran in a time of 16:07 on 30th April 2011 (event number 100).
The Age Grade course record is held by Paula FUDGE who recorded a 85.71 % run (21:56) on 11th December 2010 (event number 82).

Today's full results and a complete event history can be found on the Bedfont parkrun Results Page.

Before I go on to the race report for last Saturday, can I ask all runners not to run through the finish line a 2nd time.  Unfortunately one of the runners who was warming down did this and it has distorted the times slightly as this was recorded on the the timer.

Men's placings:

1. Cameron SMART (SM20-24) of Windsor, Slough, Eton & Hounslow AC, was first in 17:18 - first win in second appearance.
2. Jon WORCESTER (SM25-29) of Metropolitan Police AC, was second in 17:23 - 1 previous win.
3. Steve FELL (SM35-39) (Unattached) was third in 18:32 - 2 previous wins.

Current standing in the Men's annual points competition:

• David LLOYD (Unattached) 3174 pts.
• Graham SHAW (Unattached) 3135 pts.
• Ian CHARLTON (Unattached) 3100 pts.

Women's placings:

1. Hayley GAMBLE (SW25-29) (Unattached) was first (22^nd overall) in 23:56 - first appearance.
2. Merilyn DAVIS (VW50-54) of Stragglers, was second (23^rd overall) in 24:04 - 12 previous wins.
3. Gerty SINGH (VW40-44) of Fetch Everyone RC, was third (33^rd overall) in 24:58 - 2 previous wins.

Current standing in the Women's annual points competition:

• Toni CALLEN (Unattached) 3040 pts.
• Merilyn DAVIS (Stragglers) 2575 pts.
• Theresa BUTCHER (Unattached) 2382 pts.

The following runners recorded the best Age Grade scores:

• Cameron SMART (SM20-24) was graded 75.34 % for the time 17:18 (first overall).
• Jon WORCESTER (SM25-29) was graded 74.21 % for the time 17:23 (second overall).
• Gary RUSHMER (VM50-54) was graded 73.32 % for the time 20:07 (5^th overall).

This week there were 108 runners, of whom 11 were first timers and 7 recorded new Personal Bests. Representatives of 14 different athletics clubs took part.

Bedfont parkrun started on 9th May 2009, and since then 1,612 different runners, including participants from 115 athletics clubs, have completed 10,398 runs covering a total distance of 51,990 km, and there have been 2,133 new Personal Bests.

The Women's course record is held by Vicky GILL who ran in a time of 17:50 on 1st August 2009 (event number 13).

The Men's course record is held by Tim HAUGHIAN who ran in a time of 16:07 on 30th April 2011 (event number 100).

The Age Grade course record is held by Paula FUDGE who recorded a 85.71 % run (21:56) on 11th December 2010 (event number 82).

The full results and a complete event history can be found on the Bedfont parkrun Results Page.

Today's icy conditions didn't put off runners at Bedfont Lakes this morning, quite the opposite, and ultimately proved to give exceptionally good running conditions.

We had another record attendance for January of 111 runners, two more than last week and only 4 runners short of an all time attendance record! We welcomed 17 first time runners and recorded an amazing 22 personal bests.

A huge thank you goes to the 16 hardy volunteers that braved today’s cold conditions and to quote one of our runners: “Running was cold enough but to have been standing still you must have been freezing. Very grateful to you all :-)”

We also had a very special guest at Bedfont this morning – “Spencer the Bear” who is on tour at the moment. Spencer finished with a very impressive first time performance of just over 23 minutes. Well done Spencer, we hope to see you again soon...

And here are todays results:

Men's placings:
An unknown runner was first.
Robert Harvy Paul YOUNG (SM25-29) (Unattached) was second in 19:01.
Grant RUSSELL (SM35-39) (Unattached) was third in 19:19.

Current standing in the Men's annual points competition:
David LLOYD (Unattached) 3090 pts.
Graham SHAW (Unattached) 3047 pts.
Ian CHARLTON (Unattached) 3005 pts.

Women's placings:
Julie BARCLAY (VW45-49) (Unattached) was first (38^th overall) in 24:20 - first win in second appearance.
Toni CALLEN (VW40-44) (Unattached) was second (49^th overall) in 25:18 - 22 previous wins.
Mandy SOUTH (VW40-44) of Runnymede Runners, was third (50^th overall) in 25:25.

Current standing in the Women's annual points competition:
Toni CALLEN (Unattached) 2950 pts.
Merilyn DAVIS (Stragglers) 2476 pts.
Theresa BUTCHER (Unattached) 2301 pts.

The following runners recorded the best Age Grade scores:
Ian CHARLTON (VM45-49) was graded 74.79 % for the time 19:34 (4^th overall).
Martin KEEGAN (VM50-54) was graded 69.36 % for the time 21:16 (9^th overall).
Grant RUSSELL (SM35-39) was graded 69.11 % for the time 19:19 (third overall).

Bedfont parkrun started on 9th May 2009, and since then 1,601 different runners, including participants from 115 athletics clubs, have completed 10,290 runs covering a total distance of 51,450 km, and there have been 2,126 new Personal Bests.

The Women's course record is held by Vicky GILL who ran in a time of 17:50 on 1st August 2009 (event number 13).
The Men's course record is held by Tim HAUGHIAN who ran in a time of 16:07 on 30th April 2011 (event number 100).
The Age Grade course record is held by Paula FUDGE who recorded a 85.71 % run (21:56) on 11th December 2010 (event number 82).

Today's full results and a complete event history can be found on the Bedfont parkrun Results Page.

Photograph © Ciara Savage

Please note that as Princes Club will be closed until the New Year we will not be
able to use their car park as an over-flow option.
 
The car parking at Bedfont Lakes Country Park (Clockhouse Lane entrance) will
therefore be full very early - we encourage all our runners to car share were
possible and also utilise the other car park on at the Bedfont Lane entrance.
 
Many thanks, Sharon Gibson & the Race Directors

Congratulations to Ian Charlton on joining the 100Club and also to David Lloyd on joining the 50Club.  Well done :)