26.01.2019; Harrow Lodge parkrun #303 report. (Danny Gillard)

Another windy and cold day here at Harrow Lodge parkrun. Winter weather is definitely here to stay but it won’t stop HL parkrunners from enjoying their weekly 5k! A warm well done to all 186 runners for taking part this week and special callout’s to Robin Smith (18mins 32secs – first male), Emily Dixon (22mins 37secs – first female) and those 19 that delivered the holy grail… a pb! (David King, Andrew Houseago, Reece Maycock, James Vale, Kieran Martin, Ronnie Maguire, Jacqui Farleigh, Colette Coyle, Gary Clare, Russ Bradman, Stephen Earle, Neil Windley, Alison Kerr, Nicola Surridge, Alex Kersey, Rachel Anne, Sophie Bolt, Helen Sommerville, Lisa Merrill). Real heroes don’t wear capes… they wear parkrun apricot.

 It was my 50^th parkrun on Saturday and I felt, after completing my first official milestone, it was prime time to reflect and say thanks to parkrun. I’m not one for early mornings at the weekends (and yes a 7.50am alarm is early on a Saturday when you don’t have kids, as I keep telling my brother) but the last 50 counts of parkrun Saturday mornings have had 0 counts of regret. Forget the time, forget the exercise and health benefits, what makes parkrun special is the community. I don’t know half of the people that turn up and run each week as individuals but as a collective I know them all. From the barcode scanners to the volunteer cheering me on at that last bend around the lake (when I’m about to pass out), they are all good and positive people. Whether they know it or not they have a good and positive impact on me and the 185 other runners every week. Because, despite all the glitz and glamour, likes, friend requests and re-tweets, all that really matters is being good and having a positive impact. And (for me, at least) that is what parkrun is all about. And why, on Saturday coming, my alarm will be set once again for 7.50am.

 Have a brilliant week and look forward to seeing you all on Saturday.

 Same time. Same place. Same parkrun enthusiasm.

 Best,

Danny Gillard

A lovely report from Jodie Schubert, celebrating her Dad's success. Plus a mention (warning?) for her hubby-to-be.

19th Jan, pr #302 & pr #303, 26th Jan

A super cold start to today with temperatures of just above freezing. Now the winter weather has truly kicked in we are learning who the true hardcore parkrunners are! A big well done to the 171 runners who made it today. It is usually around this time of year that Harrow Lodge parkrun could get called off due to the horrific mud – it’s not been too bad as yet, so let’s hope it stays that way!

A huge well done to Frank Schubert (my dad!) who celebrated his 300^th parkrun today! Whilst not an official milestone, Frank was delighted to celebrate with everyone and of course bring cake! The huge cheer Frank received when leaving the café after parkrun shows what a supportive bunch everyone at parkrun really is – the parkrun family!  A big thank you to everyone for showing their support, anyone who has celebrated any parkrun milestone will know how wonderful it feels. I am very proud!

Frank’s son-in-law-to-be Danny Gillard celebrated his 50^th parkrun the following week (26th Jan, pr #303)  – keep up those parkruns Danny or the wedding may get called off!

pr #302 - John Whitehead was first across the line in a super speedy time of 18.14. First female to cross the line was junior parkrunner Jessica Wright in a time of 23.29. Awesome stuff!

pr #303 - Robin Smith was first home in 18:32, while junior parkrunner Emily Dixon was first female in 22:37

With marathon season approaching I am sure many of you are training for various distances. It’s not easy (or fun!) with the cold weather and the dark nights but keep it up, spring will be here soon!

Have a wonderful week and see you all next Saturday!

Well…what can I say? This has been a really great fun morning!! It was really muddy all around (apart from the few tarmac stretches) and some of the runners were covered in mud all the way up their backs. The muddiest part was up by the lake where you go both ways on the course. It wasn’t too cold this morning which was good. It was great fun running the course in reverse, it definitely made a change, and I don’t think it was any harder or easier in reverse. I think it was about the same as the normal way round.

We had 27 first timers today at HL, a big welcome to all of you. You are more than welcome to come and visit us at any time. Well done to 9 of you that got a PB!

Well done James Stubbs for reaching 100 Parkruns that’s a great achievement. Also a big well done to the runners doing the 0 to 5K challenge this morning.

Every week we rely on Volunteers to make the event possible. If you would like to volunteer please either speak to the run director at the event or email harrowlodgehelpers@parkrun.com

It’s always appreciated

Male placings

Gavin Watts (SM30-34) of Defence sports and recreation was 1st over the line in 18.53

John Barker (VM50-54) of Thrift Green Trotters was 2nd over the line in 19.59

Robin Smith (VM35-39) (unattached) was 3rd over the line in 19.18

Female placings

Natalie Sewell (JW11-14) of Havering Athletic Club was 1st (13th overall) in 22.17

Leanna Romano (SW30-34) (unattached) was 2nd (28th overall) in 25.29

Danielle Last (VW40-44) (unattached) was 3rd (36th overall) in 26.42

Age grades

The three highest age grades were

1st highest was John Barker (VM50-54) - (78.24%) in the time 19.09

2nd highest was Natalie Sewell (JW11-14) - (71.65%) in the time 22.17

3rd highest was Gary Flint (VM50-54) - (70.63%) in the time 21.34

Rory

Well it was very chilly to begin with however it was so nice to have the sun out while we were running, it made me think it was summer or spring and actually it will be soon. The ground was frozen today with one soft bit of mud towards the end. It was really good to see 116 people complete the course this morning with 10 of you getting a new PB (well done) and a huge welcome to the 10 first timers to Harrow Lodge I hope you had fun and come back at any time.

Male Placings

Finn Hutton (SM 18-19) of Havering Athletics Club was 1^st over the line in 18:25 (new PB)

Robin Smith (VM 35-39) (unattached) was 2^nd over the line in 18:45

Barry Smith (VM 35-39) of Havering Athletics Club was 3^rd over the line in 18:54

Female placings

Juliet Ward (VW 50-54) of Havering Athletics Club was 1^st (34 overall) in 25.37

Tracy Bailey (VW 50-54) was 2^nd (39^th overall) in 26:08

Jodie Schubert OF Havering Athletics Club (SW 30-34) was 3^rd (42^nd overall) Club in 26:26

Age Grades

The 3 highest age grades were:

Barry Smith (VM 35-39) - 71:69% in the time 18:54

Finn Hutton (SM 18-19) - 71:58% in the time 18:25

Robin Smith (VM 35-39) - 70:31% in the time 18:45

Thank You to all the volunteers that made HL parkrun happen today. Remember you are always more than welcome to volunteer at any time by emailing harrowlodgehelpers@parkrun.com or by speaking to the run director. See you all next week

Rory Burr

The park still needs to dry out, so we are cancelled again on Feb 10. However, we are definitely going ahead on February 17 as the extra week of drying should be enough.

Enjoy your tourism or lie in.

Harrow Lodge parkrun is cancelled again on Feb 3 due to conditions in the park. Hopefully, we will be back on the 10th as the weather forecast is set fair.

Enjoy your tourism or lie in.

We are cancelled again on January 27 because the park is too muddy in places.

Until next week.

The council parks dept advises us that we have to cancel this week due to muddy patches still present and more rain forecast. Until next week.