Please join us for a specially arranged 'Freedom' run to mark the longest day of the year. Dont forget though, you can run our course anytime you want and log your efforts online via your parkrun profile

The event will mark the 1st staging of Conkers parkrun extra, an additional loop around Sarahs Wood for those that want to go the extra mile.

If the weathers nice (fingers crossed) i reckon its BBQ and beer all the way after we finish somewhere!!!

110 runners ran in damp conditions at Conkers parkrun this Saturday. 14 runners were first-time visitors to the free, weekly, timed 5k run at Conkers and 9 were new to parkrun. This week visitors from Braunstone, Gunpowder and Milton Keynes parkrun joined the regulars.  

In the men’s run Hatton Darts took 1^st and 3^rd position with Ashley Hurdman winning in 16.10 and Matthew Wagstaffe coming third in 17.56. Cory Parker from Burton AC was the sandwich filling and the first junior home in 16.50. 

For the second week running a visitor from Braunstone parkrun and Leicester Triathlon Club took the honours: Gina Vaughan in a time of 20.46. Taking second place was Ivanhoe Runners’ Rebecca Enion who set a new Conkers best time of 21.36 as did Elsie Butler from Charnwood AC 22.01 in third.

Behind Cory in the junior run was Charlie Pickering (20.05) and Myles O’Hanlon (Burton AC, 22.16) both setting new best times.

It was another fast week with 18 runners going under 20 minutes and 31 runners setting personal best times for the Conkers course. The biggest improvement was from David Holton who took over 5 and a half minutes off his Conkers debut time to finish in 21.21. Joining him in breaking the 22 minute barrier were Andy Lindley (Ivanhoe Runners) and Matthew Joyce.  Other barriers ‘cracked’ for the first time were the 20, 28 and 30 minute barriers.  Sub 20 was was conquered by Peter Armstrong and Peter Mann both from Hermitage Harriers RC.  Maria Allen broke the 28 minute barrier whilst Rebekah Kirkwood was encouraged round by dad Joe to go under 30 minutes taking nearly 2 minutes off her time in 28.57.

Taking over 2 minutes off her time was junior Jessica Robertson in 37.41. Over 1 minute was knocked off best times by James Watkins, Robin Barber, Nick Johns, Grace Pickering, Vaughan Morris, Rebekah Kirkwood and Andy Pole.

This week three people made it 3-in-a-row for best times: Nick Johns, Michael Sharpe and Mark Boast however this was bettered by Robin Barber and Grace Pickering who have now set best times for their last 4 runs. Grace is sitting comfortably at the top of the handicap table and has not only set 4 consecutive best times but has broken a different minute barrier each week; this week going under 27 minutes in 26.58. Second and third in the handicap table are Antony Ward and Simon Reynolds.

The 58^th Conkers parkrun even will take place at 9am this Saturday .To take part in the 5km timed run visit www.parkrun.com, register your details then bring your barcode along with you. All abilities are welcome including runners with dogs and pushchairs and jogger/walkers.

On the first sunny Saturday morning this year 80 runners set off in the beautiful setting of Conkers parkrun. It was the 56^th event this week of the free, weekly, timed 5k run. The field of 80 included 11 first timers to conkers including visitors from Braunstone, Whitstable and Walsall and 6 running at their first parkrun.

In the men’s’ run first home was Craig Hinds of Hermitage Harriers in a new personal best time of 18.11. Taking second and third position were Hatton Darts’ runners:  Stanislaw Knopik and Jason Tilley in 18.42 and 18.45 with Jason going under the 19 minute barrier for the first time at Conkers.

It was first-time runner at Conkers and visitor from Braunstone parkrun Joanna Toon who took the honours in 19.11 to become one of only 8 women to run under 20 minutes at Conkers.  Helen Jeffery  set a new best of 22.29 to be the second woman home whilst Dawn Storer of Barrow Runners showed a return to form in third position with a time of 22.44.

Megan Lewis was first junior home in 24.28. Cameron Saddington went under 30 minutes for the first time to come second in the junior run at 26.40 and an in-form Grace Pickering posted her third best time in as many weeks to take the third position in 27.56. Grace has taken over 3 minutes off her time in the past month.  Younger sister Madeleine also took nearly 1 minute off her time in 30.24 to be the second biggest improver this week.

25 personal best times were set this week in the cracking conditions.  Both Ian Schofield and Mark Taylor were guided round by Stephen Lee’s motivational 25 minute paddle to go under 25 minutes for the first time. Going under the 30 minute barrier for the first time were Fiona Price, taking one minute off her time in 29.59, Cameron Saddington and Kelly Chamberlain.  Taking over 30 seconds off their Conkers parkrun times were: Maria Allen, Roger Cobb, Paul Feltham and Alex Dutton. Andy Lindley and Anthony Ward took 27 and 26 seconds respectively off their times.

It was the first week of the 6 week handicap competition where runners were allocated a handicap time based on their best performance over the past 4 weeks or a long standing best time plus 2 minutes. Simon Reynolds took first place in the points table after a return to form following the London Marathon. He is currently trailed by the Pickering sisters: Grace and Madeleine who are having some great runs at the minute and are placed in second and third.

The 57^th Conkers parkrun even will take place at 9am this Saturday .To take part in the 5km timed run visit www.parkrun.com, register your details then bring your barcode along with you. All abilities are welcome including runners with dogs and pushchairs and jogger/walkers.

On Saturday 104 runners ran round the 5km Conkers parkrun course in the weekly, free, timed run. To celebrate the FA Cup Final happening later that day many of the runners had dug out a variety of football shirts to create a colourful parade around the trails and along the canal. All of the runners were treated to half time/way oranges and pies at the finish. The group included 14 first timers and visitors from Milton Keynes parkrun. The run was started by head referee, Andrew Harris, who took charge with an authoritative whistle and some of the runners even chose to complete the course dribbling a football round!

Conkers will be staging a special FA Cup Final 'Twist' Event this week to celebrate the big match. Please come dressed in your best football kit, the more obsure the better. Orange segments will be avalible at the canal turn and pies are being prepaired for after the run.