A little look at the Haigh Woodland parkrun news page draws you to a little post asking for parkrunners to think about doing a run report…though it’s inviting local participants to share their story, its also an opportunity for tourists to give a little back. Though the offer hasn’t been taken up particularly well, I thought I’d make the offer and Lisa (RD for the day) was more than happy to accommodate the ramblings of a visitor. I don’t know about you, but I quite like the run reports each week…they add a little colour, and background to the weeks event that can only enhance the whole experience.
A visit to any parkrun over the Christmas period is always a little extra special, as, though, parkruns are traditionally friendly, welcoming events in general, they are always a little more so over this time and Haigh Woodland this morning was no exception – warm smiles and greetings exchanged by locals and visitors both.
As a southern parkrunner tourist (home parkrun St Albans) living in the North West for a while, I’m blessed with a whole new region of parkruns to discover and enjoy, Haigh Woodland was todays destination. Another bonus, which I was to discover later, was that this was my 161st parkrun and Haigh Woodlands 161st event – a happy coincidence. Those in the know know that tourists like their stats!
Local parkrunners are very lucky to have this amazing location as their home parkrun – large car parks, plenty of toilets and a great café - all needs covered!
After a helpful, friendly new runners briefing, where it was suggested that perhaps the runners were there more for the Wigan Tea cakes than the hill, a warm RD briefing welcomed visitors from Cambridge, Sheffield, a couple attending a wedding at the hall, and even Stockholm, the runners were started in lovely mild bright conditions for the year. Some would say that perhaps Haigh Woodland is not the best parkrun to do after overindulging during the festive season, and they would be right! A beautiful woodland course, meandering out and back with a loop at the far end, is a steady 2.5K downhill that obviously has to be followed by 2.5k back uphill! The uphill struggle though, was compensated by great scenery and runners of all ages encouraging one another as they puffed up the hill Was great to hear youngsters encouraging the more senior folk, and vice versa, a true community vibe. All topped off with encouraging, smiling marshals and volunteers. ! I even overheard one runner counting down the cheesy chocolates he was burning off as each uphill K passed!
To add to the day, the core team had decided to use a traditionally busy day for parkruns to trial the new mobile app technology – not afraid of change! This decision obviously proved to be a great success, as the results were out by 10:44 – fast by any parkrun standards.
Joseph Dare and Alice Alcock led the runners home, Joseph only missing a PB by 11 seconds, and Alice getting a PB on only her second visit with a gap of 12 months! Well done both.
Welcome to the ten brand new parkrunners who did their first ever parkrun at Haigh this morning – we hope you’ll be back to join in this amazing family story!
A great big thank you to Lisa and the team for another great parkrun experience – I thoroughly enjoyed the visit, and recommend Haigh Woodland unconditionally!
Final note goes to Sarah Edwards, who completed her 100th time of volunteering today!!! Thank you Sarah

Paul Bliss

We will be holding our New years day event at 10:30 start. This means you can run another local event first and double up on runs, or volunteer at one and run another.

I was tail runner this morning. I arrived at 8.30(somewhat earlier than necessary), collected my hi-viz and lanyard (with in case of emergency details) from Trish the run director and positioned myself at the back of all of the runners (seemed to be loads today!) and near a dog that was way too excited at the prospect of running 5k! Once the run started (the dog was off like a rocket) i set off keeping behind all of the runners and walkers.
About half way down the hill, near to Paul 'the motivating marshall' the front runners started to emerge on their way back up the hill. This is what i like about volunteering at parkrun as you get to see a side of the run you wouldn't normally see if you were running, particilarly that the faster ones at the front are dreading pigs hill as much as those at the back!
When i reached the bottom of the hill i let the marshall know i was the last person, and then completed the rest of the route, collecting the other marshalls on the way.
I finished, got my barcode scanned (tail walker counts towards both volunteer milestones and completed parkrun milestones) and helped to pack up.
I was away by 10am and back home, showered and with a brew by 10.30am!
Tail walker is a really easy volunteer job to do, and you get a good brisk walk of it. All you have to do is stay behind everyone else, and come last on purpose. Its a particularly good role if you've been injured, feeling a bit unfit or have a race the next day. Let Haigh Woodland Parkrun know if you would like to give it a try!
Bernie Haddock