GREENWICH PARK RUN 14 APRIL 2012
The going was good (good to soft in places) for the 109th running of the Greenwich Park Run. A temperature of around 6 degrees greeted the 77 runners who lined up at the start. The park was green and lush, having been freshened up by the midweek rains. But under threatening skies the runners were confronted by a cool, stiff breeze as they made their way along the bottom of the park. Not a day for particularly fast times.
Performance of the day came from Annabelle Stearns who ran strongly from the off to win in an impressive 19.16. In doing so she became only the third female winner of the Greenwich Park Run (on her third visit) – following in the footsteps of Lara Hawkins (event 7) and Claire Elms (event 93). Annabelle was also one of three female runners worldwide to win a Park Run this weekend! She remains the third fastest female over the Greenwich course. Come back again soon!
Second overall was a mystery man (‘unknown’ male athlete – now unmasked as Ryan Gros) who, after running stride for stride with Paul McCrone in laps 1 and 2, pulled away in the final lap. To finish with a sprint for 19.34. Paul was third On His Own in 19.45. Completing the male placings was Duncan Potts (20.11). Joanne Murphy (24.51) and Jules Williams (25.39) finished 2nd and 3rd respectively in the women’s competition.
We welcomed 7 First Timers to Greenwich this week. And were pleased to note PBs being achieved by 5 athletes (four of whom were on their second visits to Greenwich). Special mention here then to Sam Brown, Oliver Winstone, Barry Bevan, Shannen Banfield and Sally Salter. I’m sure there’s more in the tank there! The Junior (JM 15-19) winner was Sam Brown in 20.13. And State of Play in the overall points table for 2013 showed Paul McCrone as the leading male, and Jules Williams the top female.
And so to the winners enclosure for news, views and anecdotes. It’s a big winners enclosure – everyone’s a winner at Park Run - and is hardly Organisedconfusion. Was the ground like Treacle in the far corner? Who was suffering from the Midnight Haze? Was Giles really Cross? What is the furthest planet from the sun (got to get Neptune in there somewhere…..). Then it’s tea, coffee and Hot Chocolate. And all too soon the curtain comes down on Park Run for another week.
Final thought. Three was definitely the female number of the day here. Wish I’d worked that out before the National started…..
Report written by David Bullas - volunteer 14 April 2012 - Thanks David