*Please note the extreme running conditions in the park this Saturday*

This Saturday’s run will go ahead but it’s important that you are aware of a number of factors that will make the course difficult.

The path works has resulted in the path being closed in a number of places and you will need to run on the grass and a narrow opening which has become extremely water logged with the rain.  The grass has become muddy and slippery in places particularly downhill.  It doesn’t look as if the wet weather is going to clear before Saturday, so if you decide to run you’re asked to slow down and take extreme care.

The car park is also closed this Saturday and you will need to enter the park by the Cafe or Herne Hill gate.

Can you also please try and keep bags etc to a minimum.

Many thanks

Clare

Our biggest turnout for Brockwell parkrun yet. 243 braved possible rain, but in true Brockwell parkrun style, the rain held off. 

We were joined by Windrush Triathlete, Crystal Palace Triathlon Club, and Greenwich Tritons as they battled for points in their mob run.

The atmosphere was great fun and we hope many of the new runner will be back. 

A big thanks to the volunteers who managed admirably with the increase in numbers.

If you ran in the London Marathon today, let us know how you got on.  We hope it went well. 

A few things to mention for the weeks ahead:

• The carpark will be closed for a week starting next week
  
• Work to the pathways may mean a few changes to the route - so please arrive on time
  
• Next week is Russell's birthday and he'll be bringing cakes for runners and volunteers
  
• Windrush Aquathon takes place on 28 May - details here: http://www.windrushtri.co.uk/page/windrush-aquathlon
  

So this week's summary of results:

Brockwell parkrun
Event number 69
21st April 2012

Men's placings:
Orlando EDWARDS (SM35-39) of Shaftesbury Barnet Harriers, was first in 17:11 - first appearance.
Mark FALLOWFIELD-SMITH (SM25-29) of Sandhurst Joggers, was second in 17:37.
Jonathan HOTCHKISS (SM---) of Windrush Triathlon Club, was third in 17:48.

Current standing in the Men's annual points competition:
James TURNER (Unattached) 1525 pts.
Tommy HAYCOCKS (Herne Hill Harriers) 1440 pts.
Will HUXTER (Unattached) 1208 pts.

Women's placings:
Freddie SUMPTION (SW30-34) of Greenwich Tritons Triathlon Club, was first (11^th overall) in 19:07 - first appearance.
Lisa COLLINS (SW25-29) of Crystal Palace Triathletes, was second (37^th overall) in 21:10.
Nichola ROBERTS (SW30-34) of Windrush Triathlon Club, was third (43^rd overall) in 21:21.

Current standing in the Women's annual points competition:
Vanessa LENNIE (Unattached) 1539 pts.
Jennifer Y WATSON (Unattached) 1449 pts.
Katherine PRICE (Unattached) 1360 pts.

The following runners recorded the best Age Grade scores:
Jon HORSMAN (VM45-49) was graded 77.98 % for the time 18:19 (5^th overall).
Freddie SUMPTION (SW30-34) was graded 77.77 % for the time 19:07 (11^th overall).
Orlando EDWARDS (SM35-39) was graded 77.21 % for the time 17:11 (first overall).

This week there were 243 runners, of whom 83 were first timers and 45 recorded new Personal Bests. Representatives of 13 different athletics clubs took part.

Brockwell parkrun started on 11th December 2010, and since then 1,846 different runners, including participants from 108 athletics clubs, have completed 7,241 runs covering a total distance of 36,205 km, and there have been 1,761 new Personal Bests.

The Women's course record is held by Una ENGLISH who ran in a time of 17:12 on 3rd September 2011 (event number 35).
The Men's course record is held by Kevin QUINN who ran in a time of 15:16 on 20th August 2011 (event number 33).
The Age Grade course record is held by Ros TABOR who recorded a 93.85 % run (20:53) on 11th December 2010 (event number 1).

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

Best wishes

Clare Bawden

Event Director, Brockwell parkrun

The carpark by the Lido will be closed for one week from the 24 April and various other works will be taking place to the pathways over the coming month.  We may need to change the route at short notice so please try to arrive earlier than usual so we can manage any changes.

Thanks

Clare

Hello Parkrun People,

In the last few weeks I ran my first official race – The Silverstone Half Marathon and got a time of just under 2 hours so was pleased with that. It all seemed very manageable until the last mile. The brain tells the body it’s just about over I think, then it’s all the more difficult. If I had had another 5 miles to go I’m sure the same would have happened, in that I would have kept it together until very close to the end. It wasn’t the most picturesque of runs, winding my way round the track but a very useful experience to run in a proper event. I refrained as much as possible from making F1 style car noises and screeches on the bends – important to preserve the breath!

I am starting to ask myself once the Marathon is but a memory and my body has fully recovered how much running will I do? I wasn’t a runner much before I won the place you see. Now I am absolutely sure Parkrun will stay in my life forever and I have grown to love running in general so of course it will stay. But running for 3 hours on a Sunday on my own is never something I am chomping at the bit to go and do if I am honest. I enjoy it a lot once I am out but it is the fact that April 22^nd is fast approaching that makes me get out there in the first place. Once that motivation has gone will I want to regularly run alone? Running with others is what I really like so I may do more in the way of the running club. I have a feeling I may try Cross County running. But Parkrun is a keeper for its community feel and the fact that you just feel so good after your 5K and your shower to start the weekend off with.

See you in the park.

A fellow parkrunner is organising an orienteering event at Westfield Stratford City shopping centre on 15 April. 

Please follow link for more info http://joshjenner.co.uk/2012/03/02/orienteering-at-westfield-stratford-city-15th-april-2012/