There are never two parkruns that are the same, each one throws up a different story for everyone connected with it and that is the beauty of parkrun – it means something different to everyone. Last Saturday was Strathclyde parkrun’s 107^th event. For me it was my 22^nd stint as Race Director and there’s another thing – have you noticed how most conversations you have about parkrun features numbers, it’s as if we are obsessed with numbers.

Presently we have a group of parkrunners that are planning their assault on the 50^th parkrun, they are all lingering with intent around the 47^th parkrun mark. This motley crew are trying to coordinate it such that they all do their 50^th parkrun at the same Strathclyde parkrun event. As a result they eagerly look around to check that they are all in place for the start of parkrun. Vicki, Moira, Ross, Neil and Pat are on course for some time towards the end of June to achieve that goal – apparently other events (what!) and Holidays are getting in the road of a straight run to the landmark event.

As it was when we decided that we would require an additional marshal and Neil volunteered, he was told by the rest of them that he was running no matter what!  As it turned out we had a reserve list on Saturday – something to do with the creation of the ‘all new dream team’ of volunteers.  Well that and a number of our ladies were resting ahead of the Women’s 10K in Glasgow on the Sunday.

The Men’s placings this week didn’t feature any local athletes, with Andrew Joyce of Stornoway R & AC romping home in a time of 17:27. Steve Gray of Arbroath Footers RC (17:46) and Michael O’Donnell of Preston Harriers (17:56) completed the placings. The Women’s placings was a more local affair with Emma Blair of Garscube Harriers clocking 22:11 and she was followed in by two Jammys representing Jogscotland, Julie McLaughlin (22:38) and Moira Nicol (22:59).

Fed up with the figures well we are not finished yet. In a field of 103 runners we had 16 first timers, 32 personal bests and 19 different running clubs represented. More importantly we all once again had fun doing what we enjoy most about satturday mornings – parkrun!

John

I find it hard to believe that we have been up and running for two years! This was our 2nd anniversary event and the sun was shining. Ok was there was a bit of a cold breeze but it didn’t stop the 157 runners who turned up to help us celebrate.

Anthony and Alexander Edgar made sure the parkrunners had the sound of the bagpipes ringing in their ears, brilliant send off. As our tailrunner disappeared into the distance, my band of helpers and I set out the wondrous array of home baking, sandwiches, biscuits etc that had been donated by our runners.

We barely seemed to have things sorted when Stephen Wylie came into view. Anthony and Alexander were ready to pipe him into the finish. The boys continued to play until the tailrunner crossed the line, I’m sure the sound of the pipes at the end helped one or two people achieve a PB.

The end of another year and our points winners this year were the husband and wife dou, aaahhhh. The top of the female points table was Pauline Henderson and the male with the most points was Garry Henderson. Well done to both of them. Our volunteer of the year is Mary Lees, although all our volunteers are heroes in our eyes and each one of them deserves the title.

In the last two years of Strathclyde parkrun 2357 runners have ran 53,480 km at an average pace of 26:37. Aren’t stats wonderful!!!!

Moira