The sun was shining and the silverware was polished - it was going to be a great 3rd anniversary.  Cakes came from everywhere (thank you all) and it was great to see faces from the original Bedfont team come back to celebrate another year.

A few minor hiccups, like one of the trophy plates being wrong thus renaming one of my winners :( plus a certain RD cycling half way to Bedfont and then realising the kit bag was not on his back - phew, I thought I was going to have to ask Heather to do a re-run of her warm up like the other year - just for the record it wasn't the same RD without the kitbag ;)

I was a little stressed as my brilliant timer (Sandra) was also on holiday so I would have to set up the equipment whilst remembering to present trophies and make a few announcements.

Today was filled with mix emotions as I was also to announce the news that Charlie and Paul had been successful with their visas and will soon be departing for a new life in Canada - I can feel a Bedfont holibob coming on ;)

So with the trophies were on display, the kit bag just about making it and mountains of cake waiting to be devoured, I kicked off the pre-race briefing.

We wished one of our original Bedfontos (Rich K) a happy birthday and then awarded the Sweatshop Prize to Ian for the highest WAVA (Thanks Rich K for the idea).

Now it was on to the trophies - during March and April the parkrun talk is always full of who the top 3 are and challenges taking place to snatch the first prize so it's great to get to this time of year to make the presentations and also award the juniors.  I called out the winning names and asked them to step forward, 3 of the 4 did (one unfortunatley could not be with us today).  Norman got busy snapping photos whilst I shouted out that they didn't have their trophies yet (oops), a quick dash to the table and some helpful volunteers made sure that they had their trophies in hand for more photos - bless, one of the winners was rather bemused by all this attention - yes, in all the excitement I had forgotten to announce what the prizes were for - Toni was picking up the women's points prize for the 3rd time running so no need to explain the process, David had been clocking up the points whilst keeping an eye on his challenger so again he was expecting his silverwear but poor Evan was left in the dark - I did eventually explain but not until he had run 5km ;)

So to clear up the confusion, here's the annual points winners and WAVA award:-

• MENS Prize = David Lloyd
• WOMENS Prize and a special award for the hat trick = Toni Callen
• MENS (Jnr) = Evan Poole
• WOMENS (Jnr) = Kate Wilkins [who will receive the award next week]
• WAVA award = Ian Charlton

Apologies to those at the back of the pack that couldn't hear what was going on - with our largest attendance (for the second time) we are going to have to arrange a different set-up for next year.

Right it was time to get this show on the road, runners were becoming twitchy, fingers paused on Garmins so I started the count down and then heard "WAIT" shouted by a few volunteers.  Runners now frozen to the spot, whilst I clocked Mrs Mobility Scooter heading through the gate and straight across the start line.  So we had to delay for a couple of minutes whilst Mrs MS motorised along, stopping to have a look around and then sort of clearing the path - this was going to take ages so once safe to do so I shouted "GO but be careful" and off they went (phew).

To sign off - I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the volunteers for all their hard work during the year and also a big thank you to everyone that brought cake along and made it a special occassion.  Bedfont rocks :)

- Sharon Gibson, Event Director 

So now it's time to confirm all the stats for the first run of the new season ...

Men's placings:

1. Jason HARRIS (VM40-44) of Woking AC, was first in 17:29 - 7^th win in 8^th appearance.
2. Grant RUSSELL (SM35-39) (Unattached) was second in 18:37 - 3 previous wins.
3. Dean ALLAWAY (SM30-34) of Reading Roadrunners, was third in 18:47.

Women's placings:

1. Vanessa MITCHELL (VW40-44) of Stragglers, was first (28^th overall) in 23:37 - second win in 6^th appearance.
2. Toni CALLEN (VW40-44) (Unattached) was second (32^nd overall) in 24:06 - 22 previous wins.
3. Yvonne DAVIES (VW35-39) (Unattached) was third (33^rd overall) in 24:24.

The following runners recorded the best Age Grade scores:

• Jason HARRIS (VM40-44) was graded 78.07 % for the time 17:29 (first overall).
• Ian CHARLTON (VM45-49) was graded 77.43 % for the time 18:54 (4^th overall).
• Carl MORAN (VM45-49) was graded 72.64 % for the time 19:59 (7^th overall).

This week there were 123 runners, of whom 11 were first timers and ?? recorded new Personal Bests. Representatives of 13 different athletics clubs took part.

[note: the event also had a little hiccup in the timing where 1 runner was missed - so the published results are still in draft format and are likely to be 1 time out thus impacting on the PB number - sorry parkrunners.  This is being dealt with and revised results will be published mid week.]

• 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).

There is a missing time in today's results (between positions 55 and 70).  The draft results have been published and will be corrected when the actual position has been identified.  If you have recorded your time today and wish to query this then please contact bedfontoffice@parkrun.com stating your name, position number and recorded time.  Many thanks, Sharon Gibson - Event Director

The visitors were giving the Bedfontos a run for their money this week with Matthew Alexander taken first place on his 2nd visit at Bedfont and Fiona Wright being the first for the women on her debut here at Bedfont.

So this week sees the end of the Point Prizes and Gabbana is busy polishing the trophies - although she thinks that Toni Callen should give her a hand as she seems to be collecting most of the parkrun silver ;)

Don't forget, it's our 3rd birthday on the 9th and we shall therefore we celebrating the past year and everyone's achievements on Saturday 12th May - anyone for cake ;)

OK, onto the run report ...

Men's placings:

1. Matthew ALEXANDER (SM30-34) of Elmbridge RRC, was first in 18:16 - first win in second appearance.
2. Gavin BROWN (VM40-44) (Unattached) was second in 18:55.
3. Jason EAST (SM35-39) of Farnham Runners, was third in 18:59.

Current standing in the Men's annual points competition:

• David LLOYD (Unattached) 4336 pts.
• Ian CHARLTON (Unattached) 4171 pts.
• Gary CLEMENTS (Unattached) 3709 pts.

Women's placings:

1. Fiona WRIGHT (VW35-39) of Portobello RC, was first (19^th overall) in 22:58 - first appearance.
2. Merilyn DAVIS (VW50-54) of Stragglers, was second (21^st overall) in 23:19 - 15 previous wins.
3. Keiley BRAY (VW40-44) (Unattached) was third (25^th overall) in 23:46.

Current standing in the Women's annual points competition:

• Toni CALLEN (Unattached) 4480 pts.
• Merilyn DAVIS (Stragglers) 3663 pts.
• Theresa BUTCHER (Unattached) 3591 pts.

The following runners recorded the best Age Grade scores:

• Ian CHARLTON (VM45-49) was graded 75.82 % for the time 19:18 (4^th overall).
• Merilyn DAVIS (VW50-54) was graded 74.70 % for the time 23:19 (21^st overall).
• Gavin BROWN (VM40-44) was graded 74.36 % for the time 18:55 (second overall).

This week there were 98 runners, of whom 16 were first timers and 15 recorded new Personal Bests. Representatives of 10 different athletics clubs took part.

Bedfont parkrun started on 9th May 2009, and since then 1,762 different runners, including participants from 121 athletics clubs, have completed 11,871 runs covering a total distance of 59,355 km, and there have been 2,426 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.

The Sweatshop Prize (a new pair of running shoes) is awarded to Kathyrn Edwards.

The prize is awarded each month to someone who has demonstrated consistency, dedication and enthusiasm for parkrun.  Well done Kathryn :)

We would also like to take this opportunity to thank Hugh Brasher of Sweatshop for his generosity.

Speedbirds Ladies 5km run

Date: Wednesday 9th May 2012

Time: 6.30 pm

Venue: British Airways Parklands, Harmondswoth Moor

Entry fee: £6 in advance or £8 on the day - £2 discount if you are a Registered Member of England Athletics

Please contact Sharon Gibson (bedfontoffice@parkrun.com) for more information or see me at parkrun for a flyer.