Forest-of-dean parkrun
Event number 108
19th May 2012

A drier week than lately. Very little rain the course was still soft though. After some light drizzle early it was a pleasant if chilly morning. The weather was clearly right for gnats.

Men's placings:
Steven Harris (SM35-39) Chepstow Harriers, was first in 19:32 - 6^th win in 8^th appearance.
Gareth Andrew Hall (SM30-34) Lliswerry Runners, was second in 20:20.
Marcus Bennetto (JM15-19) Forest of Dean AC, was third in 20:25 - 1 previous win.

Current standing in the Men's annual points competition:
Marcus Bennetto (Forest of Dean AC) 393 pts.
Julian Michael Boon (Forest of Dean AC) 385 pts.
Martin Joyce (Forest of Dean AC) 354 pts.

Women's placings:
Deborah Phelps (SW30-34) of Holme Pierrepont RC, was first (10^th overall) in 22:37 - first appearance.
Victoria Williams (JW14) (Unattached) was second (34^th overall) in 26:37.
Stefanie Francis (VW45-49) of Forest of Dean AC, was third (36^th overall) in 26:53.

Current standing in the Women's annual points competition:
Karen Barnett (Forest of Dean AC) 383 pts.
Tracy Hale (Unattached) 329 pts.
Carole Fiona Tremlett (Unattached) 319 pts.

The following runners recorded the best Age Grade scores:
Walter Leach (VM50-54) was graded 70.41 % for the time 20:57 (6^th overall).
James Piercy (JM14) was graded 68.18 % for the time 21:16 (7^th overall).
John Russell (VM40-44) was graded 67.67 % for the time 20:28 (4^th overall).

This week there were 72 runners, of whom 14 were first timers and 7 recorded new Personal Bests. Representatives of 9 different athletics clubs took part.

Forest of Dean parkrun started on 24th April 2010, and since then 958 different runners, including participants from 105 athletics clubs, have completed 5,433 runs covering a total distance of 27,165 km, and there have been 1,255 new Personal Bests.

The Women's course record is held by Kim Mazzucca who ran in a time of 17:26 on 16th April 2011 (event number 51).
The Men's course record is held by Ian Reade who ran in a time of 16:37 on 16th April 2011 (event number 51).
The Age Grade course record is held by Kim Mazzucca who recorded a 94.74 % run (17:26) on 16th April 2011 (event number 51).

It was a good day for young athletes James Piercy was the only runner with 10 previous runs to clock a pb. James reduced his time by 20 seconds. Josh Mathews was completing his 50^th. A 13 year old Josh is the youngest Forest of Dean parkrunner to complete 50. His dad Mark has now run 93, mum Kirsten 8 and younger brother James 19. They must be the family with the most parkruns completed at the Forest of Dean.

Steve Harris at the front was having a break from decorating at home. The way he went round looked like he was in a hurry to get back to it. First lady Deborah Phelps who comes from Nottingham was visiting her mum for the weekend.

Forest-of-dean parkrun
Event number 107
12th May 2012

Another week of heavy storms and high winds. The morning though started with full sun and stayed like it most of the day. The course was still very wet and heavy going in places.

Men's placings:
Steven Harris (SM35-39) Chepstow Harriers, was first in 19:49 - 5^th win in 7^th appearance.
Leyton Fleet (VM40-44) Forest of Dean AC, was second in 20:13 - 5 previous wins.
Julian Michael Boon (VM40-44) Forest of Dean AC, was third in 20:16.

Current standing in the Men's annual points competition:
Peter Ward (North Gloucestershire Orienteering Club) 300 pts.
Dave Lucas (Forest of Dean AC) 300 pts.
Marcus Bennetto (Forest of Dean AC) 295 pts.

Women's placings:
Claire Tremlett (SW20-24) (Unattached) was first (30^th overall) in 26:22 - first win in 15^th appearance.
Stefanie Francis (VW45-49) Forest of Dean AC, was second (31^st overall) in 26:42.
Claire E Morgan (VW50-54) Forest of Dean AC, was third (32^nd overall) in 26:50.

Current standing in the Women's annual points competition:
Jacqui Wynds (Forest of Dean AC) 292 pts.
Karen Barnett (Forest of Dean AC) 287 pts.
Claire Tremlett (Unattached) 285 pts.

The following runners recorded the best Age Grade scores:
David Charles Jones (VM55-59) was graded 69.95 % for the time 22:21 (13^th overall).
Mark Blake (VM40-44) was graded 69.01 % for the time 20:23 (4^th overall).
Alan Robertson (VM55-59) was graded 68.87 % for the time 22:42 (16^th overall).

This week there were 60 runners, of whom 5 were first timers and 6 recorded new Personal Bests. Representatives of 6 different athletics clubs took part.

Forest-of-dean parkrun started on 24th April 2010, and since then 944 different runners, including participants from 103 athletics clubs, have completed 5,361 runs covering a total distance of 26,805 km, and there have been 1,248 new Personal Bests.

The Women's course record is held by Kim Mazzucca who ran in a time of 17:26 on 16th April 2011 (event number 51).
The Men's course record is held by Ian Reade who ran in a time of 16:37 on 16th April 2011 (event number 51).
The Age Grade course record is held by Kim Mazzuca who recorded a 94.74 % run (17:26) on 16th April 2011 (event number 51).

2 runners with 10 or more runs recored pbs. Toby Stevens took 1 minute 36 off his time in his 10 run. Callum Francis knocked 26 seconds off his time. Since he started on the 3^rd March this year Callum has got a total of 6 minutes 42 off his time.

Several runners scarified their own time to help others this week. Josh Mathews was 9 minutes outside his best. He had the satsfaction of helping mum Kirsten to a new pb in her 7^th run.

Younger brother James had a friend sleepover. James brought him along to his first parkrun. James was also 9 minutes outside his best. As his friend was seen walking on te first lap it will probably be a while before he has another sleepover at the Mathews house.

Tom Tremlett took an extra 6 minutes and Walter Leach 18 minutes helping other runners.

Once again I have to remind runners it's not me being a miserable old so and so no barcode no name. Even if you have to drive 5 miles there and back to get it.

One of our new features is that I will be asking each Sweatshop prize winner to give a brief itroduction to themselves and what parkrun means to them.

This months winner is Tess Tremlett. Tess was an major inflence in starting the Forest of Dean parkrun. As a manager of community engagement at the Forest of Dean District Council it was Tess who was heading up the Forest Activity Network. The FAN as it was known was a combination of a number of activity providers. It included the Forestry Commission where there were close ties. The original plan was set a number of Women's running network groups in the district. When we found out about parkrun Tess agreed to put some time and apply for some funding for it. The funding helped to pay half with the FODAC towards installing the permanent posts. There were a lot of hours initially setting the parkrun up that the FAN covered. Having seen the success of the Coleford parkrun Tess is keen to see other FOD communities develop parkruns of their own. 

There are many reasons why; it’s a great opportunity to meet up with friends and family and be active together in a friendly environment where all abilities are welcomed, encouraged and take part. It gets me up in the morning so where else would I rather be – great start to the weekend!

Forest-of-dean parkrun
Event number 106
5th May 2012

The pleasant bright morning was a great surprise. After another wet week the course was still very muddy.

Men's placings:
Peter Ward (VM40-44) North Gloucestershire Orienteering Club, was first in 19:40 - 7^th win in 9^th appearance.
Marcus Bennetto (JM15-19) Forest of Dean AC, was second in 20:32 - 1 previous win.
Mark Mathews (VM40-44) Forest of Dean AC, was third in 20:40 - 4 previous wins.

Current standing in the Men's annual points competition:
Dave Lucas (Forest of Dean AC) 200 pts.
Peter Ward (North Gloucestershire Orienteering Club) 200 pts.
Marcus Benetto (Forest of Dean AC) 199 pts.

Women's placings:
Lucy Doughty (VW40-44) Swindon Harriers, was first (7^th overall) in 21:18 - second win in second appearance.
Samantha Harris (SW30-34) Chepstow Harriers, was second (10^th overall) in 21:38 - 1 previous win.
Rosanna Jane Lucy Mutsaars (JW14) Bourton Roadrunners, was third (26^th overall) in 24:13.

Current standing in the Women's annual points competition:
Wendy Lawrence (Forest of Dean AC) 200 pts.
Rachel Sandra Nash (Forest of Dean AC) 200 pts.
Janet Dimmer (Forest of Dean AC) 197 pts.

The following runners recorded the best Age Grade scores:
Jacqui Wynds (VW55-59) was graded 72.89 % for the time 25:31 (36^th overall).
Lucy Doughty (VW40-44) was graded 72.22 % for the time 21:18 (7^th overall).
Peter Ward (VM40-44) was graded 69.92 % for the time 19:40 (first overall).

This week there were 71 runners, of whom 10 were first timers and 4 recorded new Personal Bests. Representatives of 10 different athletics clubs took part.

Forest of Dean parkrun started on 24th April 2010, and since then 939 different runners, including participants from 102 athletics clubs, have completed 5,301 runs covering a total distance of 26,505 km, and there have been 1,242 new Personal Bests.

The Women's course record is held by Kim Mazzucca who ran in a time of 17:26 on 16th April 2011 (event number 51).
The Men's course record is held by Ian Reade who ran in a time of 16:37 on 16th April 2011 (event number 51).
The Age Grade course record is held by Kim Mazzucca who recorded a 94.74 % run (17:26) on 16th April 2011 (event number 51).

John Ward set a new age category record for 70-74 with a time of 26.13. It was John's first parkrun so we don't know anything about him at the moment.

There were only a couple of pbs from fairly new runners. None of those with over 10 runs managed a pb.

Peter Ward has become a regular first placed runner recently. He is one of several runners whose children train with the FODAC NU Starz while he runs.

Last week at the second anniversary a guesser was run. The aim was to find the total time for all the runners at last weeks run. Piers Tremlett was only 8 out with 1910. Josh Mathews was only 12 seconds out at 1932. Josh received a prize of £5 as second prize for being so close. Thanks to catering sales at last weeks we were able to cover the cost of the awards and expenses and give a little extra to the guesser.The original plan was to go 50/50 with the winner and the event. We had 32 entries and were able to give out prizes of £25. Piers has kindly donated the £20 winnings to the parkrun funds. There has been £65 previously donated. To see has donated see http://www.parkrun.org.uk/aboutus/donations

Message from Mark Mathews.
I will be providing a cake for the next 8 or so parkruns (leading up to my 100th run) this is to raise sponsorship for the 'Great Oaks Hospice'
I plan to ask you for a kind donation each week (totally optional) that donation being 50p up to a maximum of £1 And for this you can help yourself to a slice of cake free to go with your tea or coffee.
On the day I make my 100th parkrun I will also be running the whole course backward running!! Yes facing backwards!!
Any feedack will be great!
Cheers all, and the first cake has been made and eaten.

Following on with fundraising I will over the coming weeks be offering up some household goods, to help with raising more money.
At present I have a very good tv set (samsung) I think it's 21" but not lcd, silver in colour with remote, but you will need a digi box. any offer over £15 secures. would suit all those college people, that are in digs.
Freestanding punchbag and Gloves £5+ secures
a black and silver BMX nearly new in very good condition with stunt pegs £25 +
Other stuff to follow!