It's coming home, it’s coming home, it's coming, football’s coming home. Day 33 of the unseasonable heatwave continued unabated producing the hottest start to parkrun for a long time, but the weather did not put off the brave 133 souls who turned to support parkrun. Apart from the heat, the park was in perfect condition for some seriously well supervised running. Some run for glory, some run for PB’s, some run to give back and help others achieve PB’s and some have never even ran a parkrun. Let’s encourage those who haven’t to do at least one parkrun and bring a friend as parkrun would like us too, and on your tenth visit, you get a free barcode scan.

The important and must be listened to parkrun briefing, was given by our new co-event director Andrew, with thanks to our sponsors , our pacers introduced and our guests welcomed from Norfolk, Surrey and Basingstoke. Alas, we were bereft of milestones, so we carry on. Today, we ran our summer course, with cut back grass which made it excellent for pb’s. The core team are always open to comments and suggestions, so please don’t be shy and let us know if you have any ideas/concerns/or issues. Parkrun would also like to extend its thanks to all our participants and to those willing and wonderful volunteers, who turn up week in, week out in all weathers. To volunteer, please join and post on the march parkrun volunteers Facebook page or email marchoffice@parkrun.com.

The event was made possible by 24 volunteers:

Justin ELVIDGE • Gary NORMAN • Gaelle BRYANT • Paul BRYANT • Samantha WOOL • Raymond FEW • Karen DANDO • Andrew WOOL • Patricia NORRIS • Sally MILLS • James MOTTRAM • Wendy HART • Nicola FUNNELL • Paul GIBSON • Joanne ANDERSON • Dawn LONG • Megan AYLING • Michelle FOVARGUE • Victor JEEVES • Al DUNCAN • Susie HANDLEY • Maddie GIBSON • Rowan MURRAY • Dawn BURBIDGE
For those of you who get their geek on over stats, here they are :-

Gentlemen
1st Jevan Robertson (Tyne Bridge Harriers) 17:47. 2nd Simon Pocock (Epsom & Ewell Harriers) 18:09. 3rd Justin Elvidge (March AC) 19:37.
Ladies
1st Carli McGann 23:49. 2nd Sarah Starr (March AC) 24:14. 3rd Kati Nicholson 24:23.

The following runners recorded the best Age Grade scores.
Simon Pocock (VM35-39) 74.10% for the time 18:09..
Justin Elvidge (VM45-49) 73:41% for the time 19:37.
Jevan Robertson (SM20-24) 73.29% for the time 17:47.

This week 133 people ran, jogged and walked the course, of whom 11 were first timers and 22 recorded new Personal Bests. Representatives of 14 different clubs took part.
Today's full results and a complete event history can be found on the March parkrun Results Page.
The female record is held by Lisa MARRIOTT who recorded a time of 19:08 on 21st May 2016 (event number 18).
The male record is held by Glen WATTS who recorded a time of 16:12 on 1st October 2016 (event number 36).
The Age Grade course record is held by Catherine WRIGHT who recorded 87.35% (22:32) on 6th May 2017 (event number 67).
March parkrun started on 23rd January 2016. Since then 2,581 participants have completed 18,684 parkruns covering a total distance of 93,420 km, including 4,138 new Personal Bests.
See you all next weekend for Bastille Day. Bonne chance.

Peace out, one love.

Justin

I was lying on the grass on Saturday morning of last week indulging in timekeeping duties admiring the heroics and wondering if I would ever achieve the same. But I digress. In the middle of an unseasonable heatwave, the weather accommodated us and made perfect conditions for some serious running on Armed Forces Day and Canada Day. Some run for glory, some run for PB’s, some run to give back and help others achieve PB’s and some have never even ran a parkrun. Let’s encourage those who haven’t to do at least one parkrun and bring a friend as parkrun would like us too, and on your tenth visit, you get a free barcode scan.

The important and must be listened to parkrun briefing, was given by our new co-event director Andrew, with thanks to our sponsors , our pacers introduced and our guests welcomed from York and Bournemouth, and Stephen from across the river, and not forgetting our friends from Three Counties Running Club for bringing a delegation to brighten the day with smiles and encouragement. Congratulations from the March parkrun team to our achievers, David Watts on his 25th volunteer, Steven Clarke, Louise Mottram and Andrew Woolley all reached the 50 milestone and earned their coveted red t-shirt. Today, we ran our summer course, with cut back grass which made it excellent for pb’s. The core team are always open to comments and suggestions, so please don’t be shy and let us know if you have any ideas/concerns/or issues. Parkrun would also like to extend its thanks to all our participants and to those willing and wonderful volunteers, who turn up week in, week out in all weathers. If you feel the need to join the volunteer team, please post on the march parkrun volunteers Facebook page or email marchoffice@parkrun.com.

Today’s volunteers:-
Andrew HAMMOND • Andrew WOOL • Annabelle BRAND • Chris MURRAY • Chris UDEN • Daniel HAMMOND • David WATTS • Debra WATTS • Emma UDEN • Gaelle BRYANT • Georgina JACKMAN • Gillian HOLMES • Grace WOOL • Hilary RANGER • Joanne ANDERSON • Justin ELVIDGE • Kathryn BRAND • Kay DEDMAN • Lily BRAND • Maddie GIBSON • Michelle BIRD • Patricia NORRIS • Paul GIBSON • Raymond FEW • Rowan MURRAY • Samantha WOOL • Stephen COWELL • Vanessa MURRAY • Victor JEEVES

For those of you who get their geek on over stats, here they are :-

Gentlemen
1st Glen Watts (Shaftesbury Barnet Harriers) 16:18. 2nd Justin Elvidge (March AC) 19:27 and 3rd Geoffrey Brewster (Hunts AC) 19:56.
Ladies
1st Sarah Starr (March AC) 23:02. 2nd Arabella Gingell (Ryston Runners) 23:35 and 3rd Carli McGann 23:52.

The following runners recorded the best Age Grade scores:
Geoffrey Brewster (VM55-59) 79.77% for the time 19:56.
Glen Watts (SM30-34) 79.55% for the time 16:18.
Justin Elvidge (VM45-49) 74.04% for the time 19:27.

This week there were 163 runners, of whom 13 were first timers and 33 recorded new Personal Bests thanks to our pacers. Representatives of 14 different clubs took part. March parkrun started on 23rd January 2016, and since then 2557 different runners, including participants from 195 athletics clubs, have completed 18388 runs covering a total distance of 91940km, and there have been 4083 new Personal Bests.

See you all next weekend.

Peace out, one love.

Justin

This week’s run report has been written by Andrew Fovargue, a regular runner with the Monday Night Beginners Group, which provided the majority of the volunteers for this week’s ‘takeover’ event.
First things first, I know what you’re thinking, “how can beginners be as honed and athletic looking as those guys? Some of them looked borderline professional.” Well, the truth is we’re mixed ability, beginners and up. It’s just a friendly group, led by Lee Carey and supported by Active Fenland, which anyone can turn up to and you’ll find someone of a similar level to plod round the mean streets of March with. We meet where City Road ends and West End Park starts. 6pm every Monday, all welcome, and, most importantly, it’s free!
Right, with the recruitment drive out of the way, let’s get busy with today’s parkrun action…
Today saw 170 participants complete 5km at West End Park. We had 17 first-timers, and thirty runners cover the distance today quicker than they ever have before. Well done to you, and to everyone else who came out to support today’s event.
I forgot to make a mental note of where we welcomed tourists from, Kettering rings a bell, but I could be wrong. Thanks for visiting, and I do hope my inattentiveness hasn’t deterred you from coming back. Tina Lambert was wished a happy birthday, and Linda Retchless ran her 50th parkrun, as did I, and will soon be sporting her hard-earnt red t-shirt. Congratulations Linda!
Louis, a young runner in the 11-14 age category, was the first runner to finish. Louis has made some remarkable progress recently, achieving 6 PBs since 21st April, including today’s 19:28 effort which saw him shave over a quarter of a minute from his previous best. Great work young man, how much faster can you get!? Rebecca Judge, of RunDMC, was the first lady home with her own March PB of 22:38.
Today’s most experienced parkrunner was Peter Swales, of Dereham Runners, who completed 213th parkrun, this being his first at March. Well done Peter, that’s put my 50 into perspective!
Being a part of the team that provided volunteer support this week I’ve found myself with more of a handle on the work that’s undertaken behind the scenes that allows parkrun to happen. Sam, Amy, Gaelle ensure the roster is filled week-in week-out. Someone is out at 7:30am putting out cones, signage, and setting up the finishing funnel and tables etc. The work continues to 11am (all going well!) as results are processed and times and positions are fed into the big parkrun laptop with fingers crossed hoping that everything will marry. The last bit is not that hellish, it all takes place in the Tea Parlour, but it’s still a big undertaking, and without someone giving their time to ensure it’s done there’d be no parkrun. If today’s given me anything it’s a newfound respect for the Core Team and the time they give every week. Thanks guys!
Incidentally, today was Teilo Pearce’s last stint on the Core Team for a while, he’s taking a well earnt break after two years. I, as I’m sure we all are, am grateful to the part he’s played in March becoming such a well-attended and organised event.
Thank you to my fellow the Monday Nighters for making yourselves available, especially Graeme Dedman who was thrown in the deep end with the Run Director role. Thanks too to Rowan and Dawn, and to everyone else who played a part in giving March its 123rd parkrun. I think we did ok. Maybe they’ll let us do it again sometime?
This week 170 people ran, jogged and walked the course, of whom 17 were first timers and 30 recorded new Personal Bests. Representatives of 12 different clubs took part.
The event was made possible by 27 volunteers:
Justin ELVIDGE • Lee CAREY • Samantha WOOL • Teilo PEARCE • Mark OAKERBEE • Raymond FEW • Karen DANDO • Sally MILLS • Sydney DAVIS • Gary DAVIS • David MUFFETT • Graham PEARCE • Graeme DEDMAN • Kay DEDMAN • Jackie NOSWORTHY • Carole DAVIS • Sean SEARLE • Andrew FOVARGUE • Emma FOVARGUE • Michelle FOVARGUE • Mary BETTLES • Natasha HARDY • Roger MONEY • Jim REEVES • Rowan MURRAY • Daniel MOTT • Dawn BURBIDGE
Today's full results and a complete event history can be found on the March parkrun Results Page.
The female record is held by Lisa MARRIOTT who recorded a time of 19:08 on 21st May 2016 (event number 18).
The male record is held by Glen WATTS who recorded a time of 16:12 on 1st October 2016 (event number 36).
The Age Grade course record is held by Catherine WRIGHT who recorded 87.35% (22:32) on 6th May 2017 (event number 67).
March parkrun started on 23rd January 2016. Since then 2,557 participants have completed 18,388 parkruns covering a total distance of 91,940 km, including 4,083 new Personal Bests.

This weeks run report by Carole and Gary Davies.
A bit about us first – Carole started attending the Monday Night Group in May 16 and soon got the running bug. Enjoying getting back into running, she started attending parkruns and has now completed 49, including being a tourist at a few other courses (Abingdon, Berlin and Wimpole). Gary played football on a Saturday afternoon and couldn't manage to complete the Parkrun and play football on the same day so did a lot of volunteering to start with, and is also on 49 parkruns. There's been a bit of a role reversal recently with Carole being injured and volunteering and Gary now doing the running!!!
So for this week’s parkrun, there was several other themes going on. These included a Foodbank (which was well supported collecting nearly 75kg of items, greatly received thank you) and the Sea Shepherds Park clean up after the event. Both great initiatives and great to see at our Event.
With 210 runners today, the Run Director, for the last time at the March event, was Simon 'Judge' Render, using his normal raspy voice and chirpy responses, we found out it was Hugh Gingell's 16th  birthday and we had tourists from Humberbridge. There was 12 new runners to the course, including 3 children, already for a humid 3.1 miles.
The event started well but there was a quick exit from Jackie and Ruby Nosworthy, when Ruby had to drop out having spent the previous 30 mins running for her ball. It's a tough life being a Labrador. There was lots of encouragement from the volunteers as the runners went around the course, although there was a noticeable absence from Andrew Forvague, who was probably still taking advantage of his free tab at Nandos. It was great to see children, pets and visually impaired runners at the event, and a fantastic pair of shorts being sported by a young gentleman wearing a blue top with 'Captain 4' on the back and the day's winner of the Oh Blimey Big Shorts Trophy.
Other highlights was seeing Martyn Haynes being encouraged by Joanne 'Sgt Major' Anderson all the way around and finished just 7 seconds off his PB – good effort Martyn. It was also good to see that Teilo Pearce has rediscovered how to finish the course in a straight line, after some interesting finishes in London recently. A huge well done must also go to youngster Dennis Willis Junior who has been coming regularly to the Events with his Dad (Dennis Senior) and putting in such a great effort each week.  
1st  to finish was Simon Mead of Peterborough AC in 17.49 and 1s t Lady was Michelle Brett of Ramsey Road Runners. Well done you two, but also to the other 208 who completed the course today.
Finally, a big thank you to all the volunteers and helpers this week – without you the event could not be the success it is, and a very big thank you to the Judge, who was instrumental in setting up the March Parkrun and we hope to see him around soon.
This week 210 people ran, jogged and walked the course, of whom 12 were first timers and 33 recorded new Personal Bests. Representatives of 19 different clubs took part.

The event was made possible by 31 volunteers:

Simon RENDER • Tracey BOUSFIELD • Gillian HOLMES • Caralyn MACFARLANE • Darren MACFARLANE • Amy ELLIS • Darren MOAT • Alison AINSWORTH • Gaelle BRYANT • Samantha WOOL • Gayna OROURKE • Georgina JACKMAN • Karen DANDO • Andrew WOOL • Patricia NORRIS • Sally MILLS • Gary DAVIS • Andrew BRAND • Susan MOLONEY • Lily BRAND • Gemma SOMMERSBY • Carole DAVIS • Annabelle BRAND • Leia WATSON • Ben STREET • Tim MILLS • Trevor WRIGHT • Vanessa MURRAY • Maddie GIBSON • Chris MURRAY • Rowan MURRAY

Today's full results and a complete event history can be found on the March parkrun Results Page.

The female record is held by Lisa MARRIOTT who recorded a time of 19:08 on 21st May 2016 (event number 18).
The male record is held by Glen WATTS who recorded a time of 16:12 on 1st October 2016 (event number 36).
The Age Grade course record is held by Catherine WRIGHT who recorded 87.35% (22:32) on 6th May 2017 (event number 67).

March parkrun started on 23rd January 2016. Since then 2,527 participants have completed 18,045 parkruns covering a total distance of 90,225 km, including 4,016 new Personal Bests.

The last Bank Holiday Weekend of spring saw 197 runners and walkers ascend (well we are below sea level) on West End Park for event 120 of March parkrun. We had a whopping total of 37 volunteers!  With Geoff Howes and his team from Thorney RC (we hope that you'll be back soon!) and Justin and Jon from Ely too assisting in the running of this week’s event. We also welcomed the Cambridgeshire parkrun Ambasssadors - Paul Beastall and Alison Ainsworth;  who came along to support March parkrun too this week.

We salute our volunteers as usual for their friendly and supportive comments as we embark on 4 laps of the multi-terrain course, with the long grass a challenge in places. This, however didn’t stop nearly a fantastic quarter of runners achieving PB’s. Well done to all 48 of you! While we are taking in fractions, one eighth of this week’s participants were first timers, over half of which completing their first ever parkrun. Welcome to the newest members of the global parkrun family, may this be the beginning of a long and happy journey for you.

The only parkrun milestone this week belongs to Jason Mottram, completing his 50th parkrun all of which have been at March, well done Jason. The coming weeks will see more milestones achieved as people push near to their 50th and 100th runs.

Kathryn Brand also celebrated her birthday by getting most of her family to participate in a parkrun!  Will this be an annual event Kathryn?  Or a trend for others to follow?

Finally, kudos to Sarah (?) from Thorney for meeting the parkrun challenge and managing to tame the feisty parkrun banner and get it back into the bag in a decent time too!!!

Don't forget next week we have:

Our Summer food bank collection - did you know that it's even harder for people this time of year - we're naturally giving at Christmas time but hardship exists all year round.  Please give generously - foodstuffs and toiletries gratefully received!

Our West End park clean up with the Sea Shepherds - get involved at 11am and give something back to the park you use every week!

And now for some stats:

First runner home was Andrew Brett of Ramsey Road Runners, followed by Andy Cole of March AC with a new PB and running naked (Without a watch) and third was Core Team member Justin Elvidge (March AC). First Lady home was Toni Alcaraz of March AC with a new PB, Lily also of March AC was second and Hannah Daniel was third.

A little further back we had;

Bill Swadling, Colin Wright, Roger Tolfree and Tony Lack in the 70's - all of whom are over 70! An amazing effort!

Just behind them, we had Gaelle, our long-serving Volunteer Co-Ordinator and son Paul and daughter Amy who ran a PB too this week.

The event was made possible by 37 volunteers:

Paul HALFORD • Simon RENDER • Geoff HOWES • Paul BEASTALL • Justin ELVIDGE • Amy ELLIS • Arron FRIEND • Stephen COWELL • Debbie PETERS • Penny ROWE • Alison AINSWORTH • Gaelle BRYANT • Melanie FERMOR • Samantha WOOL • Luke BOUGAARDT-PALMER • Jonathan PRICE • Natalie PALMER • Sarah MARSHALL • Georgina JACKMAN • Andrew WOOL • Sydney DAVIS • Tracey DICKERSON • Carole DAVIS • Pauline CAVANAGH • Megan RANDALL • Claire SIBLEY • Justin SMITH • Esther GOODWIN • Tracy MOORE • Vicki REED • Trevor WRIGHT • Kate BALDOCK • Maddie GIBSON • Daniel HAMMOND • Robert CHERRINGTON • Lauren WELLS • Hyram MCMURRAY

Today's full results and a complete event history can be found on the March parkrun Results Page.
The female record is held by Lisa MARRIOTT who recorded a time of 19:08 on 21st May 2016 (event number 18).
The male record is held by Glen WATTS who recorded a time of 16:12 on 1st October 2016 (event number 36).
The Age Grade course record is held by Catherine WRIGHT who recorded 87.35% (22:32) on 6th May 2017 (event number 67).
March parkrun started on 23rd January 2016. Since then 2,515 participants have completed 17,835 parkruns covering a total distance of 89,175 km, including 3,983 new Personal