This week's Run Report is by Lisa Forrest for the second week running....Lisa has got the parkrunning bug and now volunteering bug too!
Spring is definitely with us – another bright, glorious Saturday morning greeted us at West End Park this morning. All the winter running gear was put away, and the shorts and vests were out in full force. The course has now dried out and we are back to the ‘normal’ four lap route.
Today we had lots of parkrun tourists join us from around the UK - Peterborough, Brighton, London and Aberystwyth – to name a few. We also saw a record number of people join us (the third highest ever attendance) at March – welcome all. Plus, we had milestones – well done Emma Riches who has completed 50 parkruns at March, birthdays (Sadie) and t-shirts to give out (to Gemma Sommersby who has been wiating forever for her '50' T-shirt) this morning to a joyous, supportive, cheering crowd.
We had 201 runners, joggers and walkers enjoy the four-lap route of West End Park.
First across the line for the gents was Peter Ward (Thorney RC) with a time of 19:10
First across the line for the ladies was Rachael Wheeler with a time of 22:51
We had an amazing 45 PBs this morning and 25 First Timers at March of which 19 it was their first ever parkrun.
We had 59 club runners representing 16 clubs. The first 5 runners across the line were representing a club – well done everyone.
This week, I want to add a personal note on my experience at March parkrun. Today was my 20th parkrun. If you would have said to me back in August last year when I first came; that I would go on to complete 20 parkruns and walk/jogged 100km by today, I would have thought you were bonkers! I am certainly not a ‘naturally’ built runner (yet), but I love getting up on a Saturday morning to join an incredibly friendly and supportive bunch - everyone is so kind, encouraging and generous. I am seeing and feeling the benefit of coming, which today saw me knock off 1.5 minutes off my PB (I’m well chuffed with that!). March parkrun you have kindled this girls’ enjoyment of exercise – thank you!
Good luck to everyone who is competing in the London Marathon tomorrow – keep hydrated it’s gonna be a hot one.
And finally, a round of applause for our awesome band of volunteers who make March parkrun such a friendly, well organised way to spend a Saturday morning.
Running quote of the week: “One run can change your day, many runs can change your life.”
Lisa Forrest
March parkrun
Event number 115
21st April 2018
This week 201 people ran, jogged and walked the course, of whom 25 were first timers and 45 recorded new Personal Bests. Representatives of 17 different clubs took part.
The event was made possible by 31 volunteers:
Simon RENDER • Stephen COWELL • Gary NORMAN • Gaelle BRYANT • Paul BRYANT • Samantha WOOL • Teilo PEARCE • Serge LAMBERT • Tina LAMBERT • Tash SCOTT • Georgina JACKMAN • Patricia NORRIS • Anthony WHIBLEY • Madeleine BOXALL • Andrew BRAND • Sue JEEVES • Susan MOLONEY • Mike BOXALL • Lily BRAND • Carole DAVIS • Sean SEARLE • Susie HANDLEY • Annabelle BRAND • Christian FORD • Victor JEEVES • Lisa FORREST • Trevor WRIGHT • Jim REEVES • Kelly SCOTT • Robert CHERRINGTON • Dallan SILVER
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 2,408 participants have completed 16,872 parkruns covering a total distance of 84,360 km, including 3,780 new Personal Bests.