The winner of the much coveted Richmond parkrun Monthly Sweatshop Prize for January is Annabel Westman. The prize is awarded to the athlete who has shown long term dedication as well as consistency and improvement over the month.

Annabel is relatively new to parkrun, having only been running with us for around 5 months, but what a 5 months they have been. In that short time Annabel has run 20 times and achieved 7 PBs, taking a whooping 10 mins off her PB. She has also seen an amazing improvement in her age grading. At her first run, last August her time gave her a 48% age grading. Her most recent PB achieved in January has seen this rocket to 65.23%. That is a significant improvement and it has been achieved through consistency, dedication and effort. And it really goes to show what you can achieve if you try hard. I think Annabel sets a great example to other parkrunners.

We'd like to thank Hugh Brasher of Sweatshop for his generosity and to congratulate Annabel on her achievement. Her prize is a new pair of running shoes fitted at the Teddington Sweatshop.

I have now run over 140 parkruns at Richmond Park and what I have experienced more than anything is the camaraderie, good humour and support of fellow runners.   Whether they be elite runners, new runners, hobbling runners, runners who run like the wind, runners who are more like walkers, runners with dogs, with buggies, in lycra, sweatpants, fairy costumes, the overwhelming emotion is of happiness and occasional relief.  But today there was quite a lot of uncharacteristic stroppiness.  

First it came from a non parkrun runner.  With our numbers slowly swelling and the run down Sawyer’s Hill being rather narrow of path it is often hard to remember or even see to give way to runners coming in the opposite direction.  No one in the park has a greater right to be there than anyone else (except perhaps The Queen) but it was sad to hear of a parkrun runner falling as a result of being elbowed by someone coming in the opposite direction.  There were also rumours of anti-social behaviour from another non parkrun runner on the same path.  Although this is nasty behaviour I suspect we have to meet it with unreservedly courteous behaviour.  Please remember, if at all possible, to allow space for runners not part of the event.

What is more upsetting, however, is rudeness within parkrun.  parkrun is exactly that, a ‘run’ and not a ‘race’.  parkrun also prides itself on inclusiveness and its ability to cater for all runners no matter their reason for running, their ability or indeed their technique.  Some runners even enjoy chatting as they run.  Some chat unceasingly and without even seeming to draw breath.  That doesn’t mean we have to chat back or indeed listen.  It also doesn’t mean that they should be sworn at.  

Following on from Nick Baird’s report of a few weeks ago, an observation by Eeyore  in The House at Pooh Corner chapter 9, on the art of conversation, might have been inspired by parkrun etiquette:

"Not conversing," said Eeyore. "Not first one and then the other.  You said 'Hallo' and flashed past.  I saw your tail a hundred yards up the hill as I was meditating my reply.  I had thought of saying 'What?' - - but, of course, it was then too late."

"Well, I was in a hurry." [said Rabbit, no doubt in pursuit of a PB]

"No Give and Take," Eeyore went on.  "No Exchange of Thought.  'Hallo - - What' - -  I mean, it  gets you nowhere, particularly if the other person's tail is only just in sight for the second half of the conversation."

That to one side it was, of course, largely jolly.  Of the 280 runners there were 59 PBs and 32 first time runners.  

Although parkrun is not a race but more of a personal time trial there are still placings and completing the 5k the fastest today was George Corcoran (JM15-19) running for Kingston AC and Polytechnic Harriers.  His time of 16.22 was the eleventh fastest time recorded at Richmond parkrun and a new personal best.  Coming in second for the men was first timer Jonathan Dobson (VM45-49) running for Hercules Wimbledon AC and finishing in a time of 18.04.  Following two ‘unknown’ runners was Witold Tobola (SM30-34) in a time of 18.54.

For the women, Louise Bottomley of West 4 Harriers in her first Richmond run since October finished in a time of 20.42;  her club mate Rose Lewis (VW45-49) came in 59 seconds later in a time of 21.41 while Sue Carolyn Smith recorded a new personal best of 21.54 in her 17th parkrun.

Another notable PB came from Caroline Baird who, in her 45th parkrun took 48 seconds off her previous best to finish in 26.34.  Lavinia Stubbs, who today recorded a personal best of 27.48 may have something to add on the subject of running and talking.  She represents Runnyhoneys Running Club which aims to encourage more women into running in a "safe" but fun environment. The group runs are split into 3 levels: "beginner honeys", "chatty honeys" and "racey honeys".  Meanwhile Tim Andrews in his 50th parkrun celebrated with his new PB of 22.17.  Tim’s first run was on 13th November 2010 when he completed his 5k in a time of 29.07.  

Steve Jessop (VM50-54) ran his 100th run today.  His first run was the 12th Richmond parkrun on the 5th of January 2008 when his age grade percentage was 59.12%.  Today his age grade percentage was 64.97% and he finished in a time of 23.16.  Only 150 more runs until the next T-shirt. 

Last week Zac McChesney who was awarded a special cup at the last parkrun’s birthday for embodying parkrun spirit was allowed to keep his cup for good as he was returning home with his family to New Zealand.  This week Franz Werndle kindly gifted a new cup to the event.  

Fans of parkrun may want to take a look at www.pro-activelondonawards.moonfruit.org where nominations are invited for London sport and physical activity awards and unsung heroes.   If you want to nominate parkrun or parkrun volunteers some of the details you need are  office@parkrun.com and 07766 402858.  

Happy running.  Perhaps next week there will be crisp, white snow and no solar flares. 

This week we bid farewell to one of Richmond parkrun’s regular participants, Zak McChesney, who is returning home to New Zealand on Monday. His dad, Richard – who also runs at Richmond, and is a great supporter of parkrun – is busy collecting other parkrun events at the moment before also returning home in a few weeks, so we may see him again to say goodbye before he leaves. Zak has run a total of 63 junior and senior events, and recently won the Richmond Park junior parkrunner cup, which is presented annually for the young person who most embraces the spirit of parkrun. He has run regularly and done his share of volunteering, which is all the more impressive in someone in his age-group. Although I’m sure we’ll all miss Zak, when he gets home he’s going to be busy helping Richard set up a parkrun in Wellington; maybe some of us will get a chance to run there some time. We’d like to wish them all the best with this and other plans for the future.

As people leave the Richmond parkrun community, it’s good to welcome newcomers. This week we had 43 first-timers out of a total of 276 runners; we look forward to many of them being with us for a long time to come.

I know that parkrun is not officially a race, but if it were, I would be enjoying reporting that this week’s winner was a woman: Jess Petersson, recording her third outright win at Richmond, came in with a time of 17:37 and also had this week’s top age grading of 84.58%. Second woman was Vicky Brown, in 22:38, and third Elin Berstad Mortensen with 22:44.

First man across the line was David Firth, with a time of 18:02, followed by Paul Cheetham in 18:16 and Tim Garnham with 18:29. Elin, David and Tim also all got new PBs of 16, 20 and 35 sec respectively, which was not easy this week.

Of course, the strong headwind on the last 2km was this week’s excuse for most of us not getting PBs. I maintain the wind affects me more being small and light, though others seem to think that being tall and broad presents more of a problem. I’m sure there must be a formula to resolve this, but if there is, there must also be a formula explaining why 44 runners did manage to record a PB this week, wind notwithstanding! Apart from our winners, most impressive was Libby Brown (JW14), with her third consecutive PB since New Year’s Eve, and after 61 runs at Richmond. Another junior doing well with a PB this week is Elisabeth Werndle (JW15-19), after 29 runs. Towards the other end of the age groups (or maybe he’d prefer me to say in the middle), Stephen Wiggins (VM50-54) must be delighted getting his first PB since June 2009, on his 49th run at Richmond.

Other news this week is the return to running of Steve Thomas, our award-winning volunteer. Steve hasn’t been able to run since a knee injury in May 2010, and it’s good to see him back on the trail. This is good news for Steve, but not so good for the volunteer roster, especially as a few other long-time volunteers through injury have also recently returned to action. Although of course we don’t wish anyone ill, it is a great way to keep in touch and feel part of things! Take the example set by Alistair Ritchie; I’m sure his calf injury felt better for handing out finishing tokens this week. It’s all good for the karma.

Volunteering is always rewarding, whatever role you do. Coral Churchill was full of praise for this week’s tail runner, Steve Wimbledon, for talking her round the course to encourage her to a PB in her second run. Well done to both – and look forward to seeing you next week, Coral!

Finally, it’s lucky that the rest of us don’t have the energy that Pearl and David, a pair of whippets (?), displayed at the end of this week’s run. Emulating their amorous celebrations would probably not go down too well with most of the other users of the park!

Enjoy your running!

Jacquie
 

287 intrepid runners set off making this the third highest number in history; the second highest excluding a mob match and the highest number in a winter run.  Of these, 45 were first timers, so welcome to them.  Conditions were good and there were 45 PBs.

The men’s race was won by Morpeth Harrier, Andrew Lawrence, in 17:10.  He keeps up a recent tradition of a different winner in every race and is the 14^th different winner in the last 14 weeks.  Andrew last ran and won in August 2011.  He was closely followed by William Cowell, who equalled his winning time of last week at 17:18.  In third place overall and the winner of the women’s event was, Straggler, Jess Petersson in 18:07.  She was also an easy winner of the age/sex adjusted race on 82.24% beating Clive Tulloh, who came 11^th overall in 19:14 and an age/sex adjusted time of 19:14.

As a very old runner myself, I should like to pay tribute to the older speedsters.  In the women’s section, Bronwen Northmore won the 60-64s in an age adjusted score of 60.12%;  Katherine Turnbull won the 55-59 in 69.00% and the 50-54 age group was won by Gunilla Assmundson in 65.07%.

In the men’s veteran sections, Les Morris won the 65-69 age group in 66.20%; Robert Lynham won the 60-64s in 71.77%; Julian Richard Abbott won the 55-59 section in 69.76% and Stephen Valentine won the 50-54s and was best over 50 year old in 73.11%.

Of the black  running top holders, Franz Wendle reached an epic 175 (only 25 to your 200!) and Sean Paynter came an excellent 6^th in his 138^th race.  In the juniors, Jack Congdon again did really well coming in 7^th  recording 18:53,  just 7 seconds shy of his PB.

Serge Lourie (VM 65-59) (Achilles Tendon injury)

So everyone knows Josh as one of the team of Richmond parkrun Race Directors and a very valuable member of the team he is to. Although perhaps not a regular parkrunner himself (1 Richmond parkrun in the past year!) he is certainly no slouch when it comes to training and despite his commitments to parkrun and his very busy job he managed to complete his first Ironman triathlon this year, in a very excellent time of 11 hours and 16 minutes. But it is not for his Ironman achivements that I am awarding him this prize it is for his can-do attitude, commitment and positive attitude that he brings to parkrun. A member of my Race Director team that I wouldn't be without  - so thanks Josh for all your help and I hope you get a chance to run a few more parkruns in your new trainers - courtesy of Sweatshop.

We'd like to thank Sweatshop for their continuing support and generosity in providing this monthly prize.

A sparkling morning greeted 186 brave parkrunners to Richmond, with another hard frost bringing a covering of ice to the ponds and puddles and a white, slippery run down Sawyer’s Hill.

The big news of the day was Event Director Karen Weir joining the parkrun 100 club – and it’s only taken her 7 years! Karen was at the very first parkrun in Bushy Park, and started the Richmond parkrun five years ago. Although it might have taken her some time to reach 100, she has also volunteered many more times than she has run, so she has a good excuse. Karen has also been busy taking part in many other sporting events around the world, going as far as Ethiopia to run.

You would be forgiven for thinking that the “Iron Lady” in the title refers to Karen’s completion of two Iron Man events in the last two years – but actually I was thinking more of her no-nonsense approach to event directing, and the similarity to another female leader. When Karen calls for quiet at the pre-race briefing, grown men are known to quake in fear. And don’t ever think of complaining about results missing or being late, or she will suggest in no uncertain terms that you ask for your money back. There the similarity with the other Iron Lady ends; I don’t think she could run a 3:47 marathon after already completing a 2.4 mile swim and 112 mile bike race. I imagine there are other differences too!

Joking aside, Karen is one of the main reasons that Richmond parkrun happens every week, and is such a popular event. She is always very welcoming and supportive, and extremely knowledgeable about running. I’m sure that all Richmond parkrunners would like to join me in congratulating Karen and thanking her for her continuing efforts.

Now to the rest of the news. The winner of today’s race was Jamie Hinton with a new PB of 17:10, followed in second place by Sean Paynter with 18:23. Sean, with 133 runs to date, has visited Richmond from time to time since its third run back in November 2007. Third was an unregistered runner wearing a kilt and a fetching wig, having lost a bet at work.

In first place in the women’s race was Agnieszka Dolinska, winning for the fourth time in five weeks, with a time of 22:01. Celebrating her 100th run with a second place finish was Karen Weir in 22:06, and in third was Sue Carolyn Smith with a time of 22:27.

Congratulations to all those who podiumed today. (We all need to get into this terminology for the coming Olympic year. But not sure if there should be two “m’s” in that?)

This week only 15 runners got PBs, which no doubt reflects the difficult conditions, so they should be especially pleased with themselves. Among them was Dzintars Gavars, who must reserve his PBs for when it’s my turn to write the race report as I always seem to be mentioning him! After 82 runs he is only 2 seconds away from breaking the 25 minute barrier – I hope to be writing about him reaching that target some time in January. Another impressive PB this week was from Barry Whatley, who trimmed 29 seconds off his time in his 29th parkrun. Steven and Alison Bennett (who I hope are related – if not they should speak to each other as they’ve turned up at the same parkruns!) both also achieved PBs this week, so were possibly celebrating together. Steven has managed a PB on every one of 5 parkruns to date.

We had 20 first-timers to Richmond this week, among them Jon Taylor who had 53 previous parkruns, all at Bushy and Kingston. Interestingly, his last times at those events were about 40-50 seconds faster than his Richmond debut, lending support to the view that ours is not an easy run.

The vets wrapped up the age graded places this week, with Paul Stuart-Smith on 79.59%, Philip Jackson scoring 77.06%, and by Gill Congdon close behind with 77.01%.

Thanks as always to all this week’s volunteers. A special thanks to Philippa Metherell, who after lengthy and dedicated service to Richmond parkrun in many roles, is handing over the reins as Kit Steward. Anyone like to take them up?

Richmond parkrun continues as usual on Christmas eve and New Year’s eve, and there are lots of extra local parkruns going on over the festive period. Hope to see lots of you then.

Enjoy your running!

Jacquie

If regular Richmond Park parkrunners needed any more evidence that Jacqueline Millett isn’t just a very strong runner but bloody minded and verging on the slightly balmy then today was the day.  Last week she run an ‘ultra-marathon’ (not sure which one but there were a lot of hills, according to my unreliable source) and was pushed over early in the race.  In the fall she sustained a broken arm but kept running and completed the marathon.  Today she ran with her arm bound and still managed a time of 24.48 coming in 11th for the women and with an age grade of 75.00%.  

It is possible that she was running to show support for Martin Langlands in his first parkrun for a year following a knee operation.  On the 18th December 2010 he completed the run in 29.38.  Today he finished in 27.50 and in that form it won’t be long before he beats his personal best of 26.13.

Although there were only 193 runners today there were still 27 pbs.  Among those were Clive Tulloh (VM45-49) running for Barnes Runners.  He finished in a time of 19.12 and with a very impressive age grade of 76.22% (even beating Jacquie’s).  Julie Morse, in her third run came home in 37.32 taking nearly 3 and a half minutes of her first recorded time and looking pretty fresh following it too.  It is also heartening to see runners well into their 100 black t-shirt wearing days still recording personal bests.  Nigel Capon in his 108th run finished in a personal best of 25.27.   Otto Sterner (JM14) meanwhile, in his 26th run knocked over 30 seconds off his previous pb of March this year, finishing in 21.12.  

There were further personal bests in the top three men and women as well.  Jose Pfeifer (SM30-34) finished 1st in 18.37, not his personal best but jolly fast.  Simon French (SM30-34) was 12 seconds off his coming in 2nd with a time of 18.54 but Harry Dowdney (SM20-24) recorded a personal best of 18.58 to come in 3rd.  

Daniela Mingham (SW20-24), a Ranelagh runner, in her first Richmond Park parkrun (she is a Bushy Park via Old Deer Park runner) came in first for the women with a time of 21.30.  Agnieszka Dolinska (SW20-24) in her 19th run recorded a personal best of 21.57 further cementing her place at the top of the women’s points table too (grrr) and there was another personal best in third position - this time for Vicky Brown (SW30-34) running for St Mary’s and coming home in a time of 22.19.  

In terms of other news worthy mentions (it was a slow news day), Michael Glazebrook took full advantage of Neil Chesterton’s appalling hangover and beat him by a full 7 seconds; Connie Bowker (JW14) in her 5th Richmond Park parkrun recorded her second fastest time and Oscar White (JM14) was top of the age grades.  He finished in a time of 20.17 and recorded a massive 77.81% age grade.  

There were no anniversary runs this week but Karen Weir ran her 99th run which is nothing short of a miracle given how much volunteering she does.  

Further news:  rumours of Jacqueline Millett’s defection to Gunnersbury are entirely without foundation.  Hurrah.  

And a pug called Jack ran today too.  

The winner of the much coveted Richmond parkrun Monthly Sweatshop Prize for November is Bronwen Northmore. The prize is awarded to the athlete who has shown long term dedication as well as consistency and improvement over the month.

Bronwen first ran Richmond parkrun in July 2009 and is now tantalisingly close to joining the 50 club with just 2 runs to go. She joined us for all 4 parkruns this month and set a new PB of 30.51 giving her a very respectable age grading of 62.88%. It was only a couple of years ago that Bronwen was a complete beginner and she is a great example of what can be achieved with a little bit of effort and determination. I am sure with her new trainers and the soon to be received Adidas red 50 club t-shirt we’ll see Bronwen going under 30 mins soon.

We'd like to thank Hugh Brasher of Sweatshop for his generosity and to congratulate Bronwen on her achievement. Her prize is a new pair of running shoes fitted at the Teddington Sweatshop.