Sunday 19th February 2012 at 10:30am. Harrow Hill 6 mile road race. 
Location Harrow School sports field, Watford Rd,Harrow (HA1 3HP). £10.00/£12.00 
Details. www.metros.org.uk.

Monday 20th February to Sunday 26th February. Get Running in 2012. Be more active before, during and after the London Games. Sign up for free sessions at one of the ReActivate sessions in Bucks. More information 01296 585215 or info@buckssport.org. Search other activities www.reactivatebucks.org.

I've been notified that the Evreham Sports Centre at Iver Heath will be hosting the "Sport Relief Mile" on 25th March. Besides the mile there is a 3 mile and 6 mile race/run.

You can sign up to run on

http://my.sportrelief.com/search/event/result?id=1384&location=iver

Black Park parkrun congratulates Rebecca Mia Brown JW15-19 on being the winner of the Sweatshop prize for December. She will receive a pair of shoes kindly donated by Sweatshop, the runners shop.

Rebecca has been a regular runner at Black Park since she came for the first time on the 12th February 2011. On that day she ran in a time of 30.26. She is now cruising around with a PB last week of 25.42. I can count on one hand (well I suppose 2 hands) the number of times she’s missed since then.

Now here is an astonishing statistic. Rebecca had no problem with the parking charge for the first 6+ months of her running at Black Park. Being a junior she has no car so she came by taxi at £14.00 return. Now she has teamed up with another parkrunner who brings her each week.

Over the period Rebecca has completed 37 runs during which time she has recorded 7 PBs.

That was the spirit that placed Chris Brasher as a leading runner of his day leading to an Olympic Gold Medal in 1956. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Brasher. Though he is no longer with us his legacy is identified with his son Hugh Brasher at the helm of the “Sweatshop” store he started. We are indebted to the company for supporting parkrun and the monthly prize.

Things just get better!

I’m referring to the race statistics. Today’s winner was our second runner since Black Park started to finish inside the 16 minute target. Ben Livesey of Birchfield Harriers ran the course in 15:50. See the side picture of him on the run in to finish. This was just 17 seconds outside the current course record held by Rowan Axe of Cardiff AC.

Lead bike.
We were aware that Ben was coming today so decided to lead the race with a bike. Not many of you would have been aware. The biker was Steve Breagan who appeared more mud splattered than Ben on his return.

Age Category records.
However Ben did not go away empty handed. He has returned a record in his age group SM30-34 so his name is recorded until someone decides to do better.

Whilst we are congratulating on Age Category records 2 more were improved today. Margaret Mardall in the VW65-69 category recording a run time of 24:38 and 83.56% age grading. This was the highest score today.

Then there was Maureen Fitzgerald in the VW70-74 category with a run time of 27:50 and 80% age grading.

The 100 club.
And it did not finish there. We had 4 runners achieving the 100 runs mark. They were Ryan Brookling, Vince Ellerby, Geoff Oliver and Alison Allen. They all qualify for the adidas 100 run t-shirt. The next target is 250 runs.

T-shirts.
I know quite a few have now qualified over the past month or so for various club t-shirts and have not yet received one. They are usually sent out in batches monthly. The next batch is overdue. I will email individually when I have them in from adidas.

 Results.

If you have any query regarding the results drop me an email. We cannot see what has been collected in the scanners. It is only on download that any problems come to light. These are usually barcodes not being read correctly leaving the results team with a finish token but no recorded person. To complete the results processing it is necessary to give that position “unknown” until someone tells us otherwise. It is not a cop-out for forgetting your personal barcode. In this case no position is recorded in the first instance.

Race summary report.
This week there were 330 runners, of whom 37 were first timers and 90 recorded new Personal Bests. The race day director was David Priddy who also produced the results for you.

Men's placings:
Ben LIVESEY (SM30-34) of Birchfield Harriers, was first in 15:50 - first appearance.
Ryan BROOKLING (VM40-44) (Unattached) was second in 17:01 - 9 previous wins.
Benjamin TANNER (SM20-24) (Unattached) was third in 17:43.

Current standing in the Men's annual points competition:
Vince ELLERBY (Gade Valley Harriers) 2624 pts.
John COBB (Windsor, Slough, Eton & Hounslow AC) 2270 pts.
Nick GREATOREX (Unattached) 2153 pts.

Women's placings:
Alex GRUAR (SW30-34) (Unattached) was first (52nd overall) in 21:54 - 4th win in 9th appearance.
Zonika RAMSEY (SW30-34) (Unattached) was second (65th overall) in 22:55.
Gillian MCALISTER (VW45-49) of Hillingdon Triathletes, was third (71st overall) in 23:14 - 2 previous wins.

Current standing in the Women's annual points competition:
Barbara ALLEN (Datchet Dashers) 2291 pts.
Alison ALLEN (Burnham Joggers) 2184 pts.
Carolyn LOCKETT (Maidenhead AC) 2044 pts.

The following runners recorded the best Age Grade scores:
Margaret MARDALL (VW65-69) was graded 83.56 % for the time 24:38 (103rd overall).
Ryan BROOKLING (VM40-44) was graded 82.66 % for the time 17:01 (second overall).
Ben LIVESEY (SM30-34) was graded 82.42 % for the time 15:50 (first overall).

The Women's course record is held by Pippa WOOLVEN who ran in a time of 17:36 on 24th December 2011 (event number 129).

The Men's course record is held by Rowan AXE who ran in a time of 15:31 on 5th March 2011 (event number 86).

The Age Grade course record is held by Margaret MOODY who recorded a 91.49 % run (21:45) on 9th April 2011 (event number 91).

FA

Top age grading score.
Only one runner has gained over 90% age grading at Black Park over 134 runs. Today she is our feature runner on the side picture. Margaret Moody (VW60-64) of VAC and Handy Cross Runners. Today, with a time of 22.34, she recorded a 87.22%.

Friendly rivalry.
Another fine day of parkrun friendly rivalry with and some notable performances thrown in for good measure.

Fast ladies.
Of some note is the fact that 52 runners recorded personal best performances (PBs) that included the first and second females, Samantha Amend and Julie Murphy. Samantha’s run also placed her in 3rd position overall so well done to her.

The Saturday morning fix.
Today’s attendance was another record which improved on the previous one set on Christmas Eve. This was helped by 48 runners being with us for the first time. Welcome to you all and hopefully this will become your regular Saturday morning fix.

Belongings.
The additions to my “shed” this week amounts to one 30 lap Timex “stop watch” - Ironman Triathlon branding, one silver Seiko wrist watch with gold lettering on black face and a brownish/greyish fleece jacket with grey inner lining – small size. Please get in touch if you want any of the items back. It looks as though I shall shortly be upsizing the shed to make room for more.

Self-selecting “pecking order” at the start.
Thank you all for the way you chose the pecking order at the start. It’s pretty obvious not everyone will squeeze onto the marked start line. To have slower runners on that line is a recipe for an accident as more competitive runners force the issue to get through. We’ve done a “fag packet” calculation and it’s hardly 20 seconds for 300+ runners to get away.

Tokens.
Today we lost 2 tokens. Numbers 207 and 311. If you have them please return to us. You can email and we’ll give you post details if necessary.

First Aid.
Always remember if you are in any way feeling unwell after your run please make us aware. We have trained first aid persons with us who can give an appraisal of the situation. It would be unwise to leave the area and drive away until fully recovered.

Upcoming Event. See the upcoming events list for a new addition - Harrow 6 mile road race, 19th February. 

Race summary report.
David Priddy was today’s race director supported by an excellent team of volunteers. They are pictured grouped together on the photos album. Let me remind you all that any of the pictures can be downloaded for your personal albums. The preferred site is
http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/georgemardall

Men's placings:
Chris BRADFIELD (SM35-39) of Datchet Dashers, was first in 17:31 - 8th win in 17th appearance.
Joe CARTON (JM15-19) of Hillingdon AC, was second in 17:57.
Austin SWAIN (VM45-49) of Berkshire Tri, was third (4th overall) in 18:22 - 1 previous win.

Current standing in the Men's annual points competition:
Vince ELLERBY (Gade Valley Harriers) 2530 pts.
John COBB (Windsor, Slough, Eton & Hounslow AC) 2186 pts.
Nick GREATOREX (Unattached) 2068 pts.

Women's placings:
Samantha AMEND (SW30-34) of Belgrave Harriers, was first (third overall) in 18:12 - 5th win in 5th appearance.
Julie MURPHY (VW35-39) of Lagan Valley AC, was second (14th overall) in 19:50 - 1 previous win.
Alex GRUAR (SW30-34) (Unattached) was third (39th overall) in 21:29 - 3 previous wins.

Current standing in the Women's annual points competition:
Barbara ALLEN (Datchet Dashers) 2210 pts.
Alison ALLEN (Burnham Joggers) 2088 pts.
Carolyn LOCKETT (Maidenhead AC) 2044 pts.

The following runners recorded the best Age Grade scores:
Margaret MOODY (VW60-64) was graded 87.22 % for the time 22:34 (55th overall).
Samantha AMEND (SW30-34) was graded 81.50 % for the time 18:12 (third overall).
Austin SWAIN (VM45-49) was graded 79.04 % for the time 18:22 (4th overall).

The Women's course record is held by Pippa WOOLVEN who ran in a time of 17:36 on 24th December 2011 (event number 129).

The Men's course record is held by Rowan AXE who ran in a time of 15:31 on 5th March 2011 (event number 86).

The Age Grade course record is held by Margaret MOODY who recorded a 91.49 % run (21:45) on 9th April 2011 (event number 91).

The side picture shows James MERREY finishing in second position on a cold and frosty morning. A click on the image will reveal a study in concentration and effort.

Messages at the start.
Today a clear message was delivered to request that all finish tokens are returned at the end of your run. They are not souvenirs but part of the recording system that has to marry up with the times taken.

Today token 159 was not returned. If you have it please send it back. If finisher 160 knows who the guilty party is just drop us a note anonymously in an envelope and we’ll follow it up.

Volunteers on duty.
Being on volunteer duty on a cold day is not the pleasantest of pastimes but I think you will all agree the operation to get you over the finish line and publish results was as faultless as ever.

In a warped sort of way I suppose we get pleasure in helping you reach your goals. As you know quite a lot goes on behind the scenes in bringing these runs to Black Park. Within the parkrun community we are regarded very highly.

Undercover Boss
Do you remember the TV programmes “Undercover Boss”. Well I suppose I was that person today as I ran the 5k course with you all. I was discreetly disguised as a runner. However quite a lot saw through my disguise.

But the finish team didn’t and I also slipped through the scanners without raising an eyebrow. On a Halloween run, 2009, I dressed as the “grim reaper” and fooled everyone.

My reward today was to establish an age category record. I can still hear the reverberations “well done Fred”.

Numbers holding up.
It must be the success of Black Park parkrun that causes the weekly numbers to continue to grow. It is also very evident you all enjoy getting your Saturday morning 5k “fix”. This can continue but only with the support of you all and not the few who are regularly visible.

We already have a fairly good data base of volunteers to keep this going but nobody is turned away. So if you feel you gain from having these runs on a Saturday then perhaps from time to time you could give a little back by volunteering.

Parking at Black Park.
This is now an issue I want you all to address and read into the consequences.

Please go back a few weeks and read the paragraph on parking within the race report for event #127, 10th December. This was a polite but clear message that we should be aware of actions that could jeopardise our presence at Black Park.

Regrettably the issue has escalated to the senior park rangers as there has been no reduction in cars parking along the side road.

Today I received an email following the run from the senior ranger. He advised that we are now on last orders to do something about the issue of verge parking along Black Park Road.
If we cannot control the issue it will escalate still further to Bucks CC and the police. If it does we would lose out.

Next Saturday there will be patrols out on Black Park Road to advise runners not to park outside of the authorised Country Park car park.

If you read this please pass on the message to those who may not.

Car Parking and the Annual  Car Pass.

Parking for our Saturday morning parkrun costs £2.50. Besides addressing the thorny issue referred to above it provides funds for the upkeep of the car park, tracks, forest and toilets. These are used by runners and we should be prepared to pay our way.

A more cost effective manner to visit Black Park is to purchase an annual pass at a cost of £45. These can be purchased online through the Bucks CC website - http://www.buckscc.gov.uk/bcc/parks/carparking.page

Alternatively, here's a link to the mail-in application form:

http://www.buckscc.gov.uk/assets/content/bcc/docs/countryside/parks/BP_Parking_permit_app_form2010.04.01.pdf

This pass can be used at any of Bucks Country Parks at any time, and can cover up to 2 cars if you're a multi-car family. My calculation is 18 visits will break even, and it's even better value if you visit at other times during the week, over weekends and bank holidays with your family or to run.

A personal overview of Black Park parkrun.
My personal overview of Black Park parkrun is that the first kilometre is a killer-metre. It’s that gradual climb along Queen’s Avenue for 600+ metres from cold standing start (very cold today) that takes the puff out of you. Besides that it takes some time for me to get up a decent head of steam these days.

The next kilometre was not such a killer as it is slightly downhill and for me I had Liz Annetts for company for a very short time. I held my own through the next 2 kilometres to still have Liz in my sights. That stretch is completely flat.

The gradual climb to 4k and the devilish dip and climb just at the time one is wishing it would come to an end pulled my time back. 4k to 5k was my slowest killer-metre.

Summary race report.
The race day director today was David Priddy. David, together with Barbara Allen, produced results from your crumpled pieces of paper masquerading as race barcodes.

The second placed runner was James MERREY whose barcode would just not read on our scanners. So the provisional result showed him as unknown. We have managed to correct this “in house” problem and he is now credited with his second place.

Men's placings:
An unknown runner was first.
James MERREY (VM35-39) was second in 18:25.
Tom NORTH (VM40-44) of Gade Valley Harriers, was third in 19:01.

Current standing in the Men's annual points competition:
Vince ELLERBY (Gade Valley Harriers) 2434 pts.
John COBB (Windsor, Slough, Eton & Hounslow AC) 2105 pts.
Nick GREATOREX (Unattached) 1986 pts.

Women's placings:
Julie MURPHY (VW35-39) of Lagan Valley AC, was first (13th overall) in 20:04 - first appearance.
Alex GRUAR (SW30-34) (Unattached) was second (37th overall) in 21:26 - 3 previous wins.
Alison ALLEN (VW50-54) of Burnham Joggers, was third (73rd overall) in 23:27 - 1 previous win.

Current standing in the Women's annual points competition:
Barbara ALLEN (Datchet Dashers) 2110 pts.
Carolyn LOCKETT (Maidenhead AC) 2044 pts.
Alison ALLEN (Burnham Joggers) 1993 pts.

The following runners recorded the best Age Grade scores:
Margaret MARDALL (VW60-64) was graded 82.66 % for the time 24:31 (92nd overall).
Maureen FITZGERALD (VW70-74) was graded 78.82 % for the time 28:15 (164th overall).
John COBB (VM55-59) was graded 77.24 % for the time 20:04 (14th overall).

This week there were 319 runners, of whom 42 were first timers and 53 recorded new Personal Bests.

The Women's course record is held by Pippa WOOLVEN who ran in a time of 17:36 on 24th December 2011 (event number 129).

The Men's course record is held by Rowan AXE who ran in a time of 15:31 on 5th March 2011 (event number 86).

The Age Grade course record is held by Margaret MOODY who recorded a 91.49 % run (21:45) on 9th April 2011 (event number 91).

FA