Sheffield Hallam notaparkrun
Virtual Event number 14
20 June 2020
DIGESTED READ:
Week 14 of no parkruns. Yep, it's tough, but there are some good things happening too. notparkrun has become a thing, with it's own results table, and although at fast I was a bit cynical about it 'what's the point' turns our I love seeing our Sheffield Hallam parkrunners grouped together again in a results table even if it is for notparkrun. It's a start dear reader, it's a start.
This weekend last year, i.e. the 3rd Saturday in June, was actually 15th June 2019, you might remember it, it's the one where Anurag reached his 100th parkrun milestone for starters. Were you there? Read on for more memories and a host of other parkrun parkfaff and notparkrunday things too. Or don't, but do stay alert, it's the right thing to do!

UNDIGESTED READ/ NEWSLETTER:
For those of you in it for the long read, this week's highlights include (in no particular order): a parkrun update from New Zealand (yay, some good news at last for the parkrun family) AND the official parkrun HQ update (spoiler alert, still no parkruns in the UK); AND a message from parkrun founder Paul Sinton-Hewitt; Lego parkrun; virtual barkrun; we meet loyal Sheffield Hallam parkrunner Harry Chapman; catch up with the Hawker Household parkrunners all; and find out from Rob Plaskitt how his backgarden finale turned out. Can you guess? Speaking personally, I've barely slept a wink all week I was so excited to hear how it all unfolded - no spoilers here, but I will just say it does not disappoint. AND I give you the best ever mandatory duck shot. No really. Also, random shout outs, pictures and memories from parkrun past (15 June 2019 to be specific) and ready or not, you get to meet pin-skin man. A smorgasbord of delights - or at the very least a jumble sale table of unknown entities that might offer up either detritus or delights, but you won't know until you've had a rummage through. Enjoy. Or not, as the mood takes you.
If you want this notarunreport / newlsetter to continue please do send in your contributions and ideas, this notarunreport needs you. No, it really does, you are important. So important. Keep in touch and give a cheery shout or virtual wave now and again just so as we know you are out there. I do really struggle to get stories from our local parkrunners each week, so your contribution would really help. It'd be great to get a broader representation of our participants too. If you are shy about what to say, you can always message the Facebook group first for some encouragement, or join up with a friend to send something in. I'm getting very few female voices for some reason. Whatever your perspective, or experience, it'd be grand to get your anecdote in. Maybe you have a story about your first or favourite parkrun, or was there any particular barrier you had to overcome to get to the start? Friends made, adventures shared, all stories welcome. If you fancy sharing your adventures more widely, why not contact parkrun HQ? It would be great to see some Sheffield Hallam parkrunners stories shared https://www.parkrun.com/feedback
Keep running, upload your selfies, stay connected. Those is the parkrun rules. Well not actual rules, but it is an aspiration for this notarunreport writer. If you can find the strength to give the post a like using the button below that would be grand too. When it drops below 50 likes I'll take the hint and pull the plug on the notarunreport and crawl back under my parkrun painted stone until it seems safe to re-emerge.
Right, on to the here and now, however mixed the picture. Let's get it out of the way. This week dear reader I am spoiling you with not one, but two updates. One from New Zealand (my how I wished I lived there for all sorts of reasons) and one from parkrun HQ. We'll start with...
... the official parkrun update - from New Zealand:

Read the full statement here: COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Update: 16 June 2020 - New Zealand
but the key point is:
We are very pleased, and quite excited, to confirm that all parkrun New Zealand events will reopen on Saturday 4 July.
Thank you for your continued support, patience, and understanding. We are getting through this, together. Renee Gimbert, Territory Manager, parkrun Asia Pacific
Yay!
What's more, you can join the fun virtually if you make a note in your diaries to hang out with With Me Now

People of With Me Now, put July 3rd in your diaries and keep around 8:30-9:30pm (BST) free. We will be going live and joining Pegasus parkrun in New Zealand as they begin their parkrun journey once again!
You read it here first!
and the official parkrun update from the UK

Read it here Covid-19-coronavirus-update-16-june/ but to save you the exhausting effort of clicking on the link, it's in full below:
When, in March this year, we closed all our events, the symbolism of that impacted everyone in one way or another. Whilst we knew it was coming, that first Saturday without a single parkrun event anywhere in the world was a moment that most of us could never have imagined would ever happen.
Within just a few weeks, of course, many of us went from thinking parkrun will always be there, every week, for everyone, to thinking it would never come back, ever. So, as much as closing our events was a huge wake-up call that we aren’t invincible, the reopening of parkrun New Zealand is proof that we can all get through this challenge.
We’re pleased to confirm therefore, that following on from last week’s update, parkrun New Zealand will be reopening on Saturday 4 July, representing a fantastic step toward the full return of parkrun events around the world. I know it will also lift the spirits of parkrunners everywhere.
It’s important to remember though that we still have 21 parkrun countries patiently waiting for their own circumstances to improve such that their events can return. We continue to monitor the global situation, are considering our position in every single country, and will update you all every Tuesday as things move forward.
Thank you for being so patient and understanding, and, most of all, for believing in the parkrun family.
We are getting through this, together.
Tom Williams, Chief Operating Officer, parkrun Global
So there we go. On to memories of parkrun past and catching up with parkrunners present
Memories of parkrun past 20 June 2015
So the last time we gathered for a parkrun on this actual day was on 20th June 2015, who remembers that occasion? Some of you will I'm sure. It was event number 247; there were 484 parkrunners - and 15 talented; committed and spectacularly photogenic volunteers. First finishers were Amelia LANCASTER and Steve FRANKLIN
The high-vis heroes were:
Ryan AMOS, Stephen BARNETT, Ann BREWSTER, Chris CUTFORTH, Alex HARDING, Bernie HARDING, Madoc HAWKER, Ben HELLER, Zaheer MAHMOOD, Hamish MILL, Oscar OTTER, John ROBERTS, John TOYNE, Kathryn WILKINSON, Bobby WYMER
Ooh, who's that - Zaheer! His name is synonymous with Millhouses parkrun, but you know what, he started off his parkrun career at Hallam, well sort of. If you are just starting out with Sheffield Hallam parkrun or indeed Sheffield Hallam notaparkrun, you too could find your life intertwined with parkrun adventuring, and it will be the richer for it! Let's take some time out to
Big up Zaheer MAHMOOD - the one and only in terms of parkrun names at least
Run Director at Poolsbrook parkrun for around a year and now Co-Event Director at Millhouses parkrun. You'll more than likely have seen him at a parkrun near you at some point on your travels.

He has earned his parkrun epaulettes and cape. Or would have done if such adornments were standard parkrun issue, which alas, inexplicably, they are not. I think this is an oversight on the part of the sponsors myself, but we'll have to let it go. Instead, check out his virtual badges collection, that's spectacular enough!

FYI Zaheer has completed 40 runs at Sheffield Hallam but racked up 187 parkruns in total. His parkrun birthday is Saturday, November 8, 2014. He has done 128 volunteering roles - though probably way more to be fair as they don't all get credited. He has carried out 20 distinct different volunteer roles 20 including guide runner' pacer; timer; everything pretty much as far as I can see - apart from warm up.
In his own words:
'it was a C25k app which started it all for me, and i was a Hallam parkrun regular for a good 9 or 10 months or so before I moved over to Graves and interchanged between Graves and Hallam for a bit. Then made some friends at Graves and one of them asked me to come try out the Poolsbrook test event. From then on I stayed at Poolsbrook (although I missed the inaugural funnily enough!! ... it was chucking it down that day and I stayed in bed!!!) , eventually RD'ed there and have done around 60 parkruns at Poolsbrook too.'
Love that he started with the C25K! We'll not dwell on him missing the Poolsbrook parkrun inaugural...
More recently, he has embarked on a film career, including starring in a With Me Now live video during lockdown, talking about his parkrunning adventures and becoming Co-Event Director at Millhouses parkrun. Worth a watch. If you have a fancy TV you can watch it through that, and then it's like seeing your mate on the telly, and makes him officially a parkrun and therefore Sheffield/ national/ international celebrity. Make sure you give him a high-five (socially distanced) next time you see him out and about. He'll like that I'm sure! :) Yoh Zaheer. Thanks for all you've done over many, many years to keep the parkrun show on the road. That's pretty awesome. Little did you know when you rocked up to Endcliffe parkrun back in 2014 where it might all lead. That's some parkrun path paved with gold you've been following. Hurrah! Also, I don't care what you say, you are excellent at parkrun pictionary, however self-deprecating your voice of protest!

Anyway, all good, and maybe too a great example of where starting to volunteer at parkrun might lead. If you haven't volunteered yet, think about giving it a go when parkrun comes back, it might open up a whole new dimension of parkrun parkfun, yours for the taking...
But is it art? YES IT STILL IS!! parkrunners Strava Art
I was going to knock this on the head, but then a New Zealand parkrunner came up trumps with this mammoth offering, what's a notarunreport writer to do? I could hardly let it pass. Well done Bryan Stout!

Weekly shout out for notaparkrun updates:

I put out the now routine request for contributions from our parkrun community... and that yielded updates from and so these shout outs to:
Rachel Suddrick 'Me and my favourite running buddy after doing intervals before the thunderstorms.'

Aw, great pic of you and Alfie!
Rachel Ripley - 'My running has dropped off since lockdown (in frequency, speed and distances). I entered RSR (January) and Sheffield 10k (September) this week, so started working my distance back up. Glorious run in the rain yesterday managed nearly 9k'

Thanks for getting in touch Rachel and sharing your goals. How excellent you will be doing the Round Sheffield Run winter offering. It's going to be epic! Rachel has completed 7 parkruns with us at Sheffield Hallam parkrun out of 16 parkruns in total. Her parkrun birthday was Saturday, October 28, 2017, so who knows, maybe there is a chance of parkrun being back in time for her to celebrate turning three in parkrun years? She's volunteered as both marshal and tailwalker, and completed seven different parkrun events giving her an impressive tourist quotient of 43.75%. Have a guess where she's been - I'll give you a clue, her average event is Millhouses.
Go on then, her parkrun venue list looks like this: Rotherham 28/10/2017; Hillsborough 06/01/2018; Stratford-upon-Avon 24/11/2018; Sheffield Hallam 05/01/2019; Millhouses 21/12/2019; Graves 18/01/2020 and Sheffield Castle 08/02/2020.
Vickie RILEY - let us know that 'A couple of weeks ago you included me running my first sub-29 5k. On Sunday, I ran the Percy Pud route in 58 minutes, which is 2 29 minute 5k's in a row!!! I was absolutely buzzing (still am to be honest, haha!)'

Vickie didn't initially report on the weather conditions, but in my experience hail or driving torrential rain is traditional on that route. However, she subsequently clarified that in fact 'it was pretty perfect running conditions, but there was a distinct lack of pudding available at the end... ' Hmm, some would say the lack of a Christmas pudding at the end of the Percy Pud route would constitute a sub-optimum running scenario so even more exceptionally well done! Brilliant focus to be cracking on with those PBs!
Sophie PITT was out in the morning mist on Friday clocking her first notparkrun. Yay! I might even be tempted out to do one myself, it feels like progress just seeing the results page being updated - have a look under the notparkrun results tab and be amazed! I'm not sure how frequently it updates, but it's not instantaneous so be warned. I'll nab a tail walking stint I think, just to check my legs are working for now...
Steven YEOMAN 'Finished today’s Half Marathon Race almost exactly at the Finish Funnel! Happy #notparkrunday'

Loving your work there, and is that a special 15th anniversary blue barcode flatband I see being sported there? Good choice. Thanks for keeping in touch, and well done for keeping up with those half marathons. Impressive
If you have wristband envy dear reader, you can check out parkrun branded merchandise here, maybe invest in a parkrun plastic barcode in anticipation of the day when parkrun returns.
Thanks all who got in touch, do keep running, upload your selfies, and let's indeed stay connected!
This week's featured Sheffield Hallam parkrun regulars:
Harry CHAPMAN
has completed 292 runs at Sheffield Hallam out of his 305 parkruns in total. That's pretty impressive loyalty to Endcliffe park as a venue over the years! FYI his average parkrun location is Graves - which bizarrely he has never actually been to, and therefore missed out on one of my favourite locations and the joy of parkrunning past highland coos. His debut at the six different venues graced to date are: Sheffield Hallam 22/09/2012; Hillsborough 20/07/2013; Roundhay 26/10/2013; Sheffield Castle 26/07/2014; Whitstable 23/07/2016 and Barnsley 07/07/2018

His virtual badges collection is pretty remarkable (you can access these by using the running challenges extension). THREE groundhog days - that's when you finish with the same time, at the same parkrun location on two consecutive parkruns - they don't have to be consecutive weeks, but you mustn't have parkrun anywhere else in between. It's very random, and very, very rare, some never achieve this in a whole lifetime of parkrunning and yet he has a hat trick! A.Maz.Ing
- Sheffield Hallam 27:56 on 26/04/2014 and 03/05/2014
- Sheffield Hallam 26:16 on 31/05/2014 and 14/06/2014
- Sheffield Hallam 21:09 on 28/10/2017 and 04/11/2017
His parkrun birthday is Saturday, September 22, 2012 so he's a Virgo, but only just 'A Virgo is a person born between August 23rd and September 22nd. Virgos are known for being practical, sensible, and loyal. They make excellent friends and partners'. In case it's relevant, and because it pleases me, you might like to know he's also on the cusp for Libra and - on the interweb so it must be true 'As a Libra born on September 23rd, you are a clever, imaginative and romantic. You enjoy harmony and use your gifts for clever harmony to help maintain social balance.' Good to know.
On this day in history - well, this throws up some bizarre and interesting juxtopositions. Also makes me realise my own historical knowledge is pretty shaky - here are four rather random factoids for a start:
- 1862 US President Abraham Lincoln says he will free slaves in all states on Jan 1 - that is terrifyingly recent, take in that date.
- 1937 Date celebrated as the first International Hobbit Day and the birthdays of Bilbo and Frodo Baggins - erm, that's just weird.
- 2003 David Hempleman-Adams becomes the first person to cross the Atlantic Ocean in an open-air, wicker-basket hot air balloon. Impressive, but doesn't explain 'why'
- 2004 "Lost" created by J.J. Abrams and starring Matthew Fox and Evangeline Lilly debuts on ABC in the US - I generally try not to regret things I've done in the past, as ultimately that is what shapes us, but I really regret starting that series, hours of my life I'll never get back, when the writers basically just gave up with it as all too complicated and ill thought through to reach any resolution. Now why does that 'strategy' sound so familiar right now I wonder...?
He has a double ton for reaching 200 parkruns at any one venue, I mean that's amazing too. He's only 8 parkruns away from reaching 300 and that's so rare, there isn't even a badge for it yet! Wowsers.
and, like me, he is dangling on the cusp of achieving the bingo badge, with 59 out of a possible 60 trying to collect all the seconds from 00 to 59 in your finish numbers. He just needs a 04. Oh the agony of being so near and yet so far from completion. Well, that's my experience anyway! So that's his big up intro, but what of the parkrunner himself. Here he is on 15 June 2019, sporting a 250 tee at an unusually young age:

Well dear reader, let's hear his parkrun story in his own words...
'I ran my first parkrun aged 13 at Sheffield Hallam on 22nd September 2012, finishing with a time of 31.01 after my mum, Joanne Chapman, persuaded me to participate.

Until then I would only come down to watch her run after she herself was persuaded to join by her partner. I’d not heard of this weekly run thing that was taking place in my local park at all then, let alone how popular it was. Since then I have completed more runs than she has, achieved my best PB to date of 20.05 and have completed 305 parkruns at time of writing. In 2016, I was awarded with a certificate for being 2nd placed junior parkrunner of the year 2015-16 on the special 6th anniversary event. In 2017, I beat Jessica Ennis-Hill and I also ran on the date of my 18th birthday with that being announced over the megaphone!
I have also ran at a few of the other events around Sheffield and during regular visits to my grandparents ‘darn sarf' I’ve ran at Whitstable parkrun in Kent a few times, which I’ve found tougher than Hallam. The volunteers bring cake almost every week there, which is nice, but in calling it a parkrun is very misleading when in fact the course is along a path on the harbour! On another occasion in Whitstable, I took part in what was a very sad parkrun, when a teenager who was a regular parkrunner at Whitstable unexpectedly passed away in his sleep whilst on a school trip in Cuba and the whole event paid tribute to him. Times like these show that parkrun is more than just a run (not a race!), but also an asset to the communities that each event serves.
I’ve met lots of new people at parkrun since I started and have also seen familiar faces such as former school classmates, teachers and neighbours join in the time since I started. I’ve also participated in three Sheffield Half Marathons for Cavendish Cancer Care and a number of 10km races in Sheffield.
Admittedly I’ve not been running as much as I did before the lockdown started. Instead, I’ve been taking time with my mum to refurbish our home in Greystones, although we had planned many of the alterations before the lockdown. We are currently not working and on the furlough scheme, so we have had more time to do plenty of jobs around the house, although I am really looking forward to being back and seeing all the regular participants, marshals and directors at the new Endcliffe parkrun route (and getting a haircut), whenever that may be.'
and here he is at the last parkrun pre-lockdown - I took the one of him with Louise (ED) and Matt (high vis hero), which must mean he was on his way home as I was still completing the second lap. I like to get my monies worth at parkrun though:

Thanks for taking the time to write up and share your parkrun stories. It was brilliant to hear from you, and what a lot of tales you have to tell! That's quite a lot of parkrun related emotions and adventures you've crammed in over the years. Am I allowed to say you look so very young and very cute back in 2012, but just as happy and natural running in your running style then as you do now. I'm slightly disappointed you haven't shared a photo of your lockdown haircut, but even so, great pics. And well done for out running Jessica Ellis, that's quite a parkrun memory. I can't wait for us all to be back together at parkrun again. That time will come! Bravo to your mum Joanne Chapman too for setting you on the road to the parkrun party. How wise she was. Whatever did we all do before parkrun? Hard to imagine, no wonder many of us are now struggling without it.
We'll be back though, eventually, making more parkrun memories and enjoying post parkrun parkfaff. It was after all, always about the coffee...
The Hawkers Family! Sarah, Leo, Madoc, Felix, Barnaby and Matilda

Sarah got in touch to keep us up to date with their parkrun story and what they've been up to. Thanks Sarah! The family photo above of all of them together was taken at Whinlatter Forest parkrun in the lakes. It goes up a mountain and I think it may have been type two fun, i.e. only really enjoyable when looked back on retrospectively as Sarah reported that 'I nearly died with the pram !!! But we did it!' We are all very grateful you made it back safely to continue your parkrunning, parkfunning, parkfaffing and volunteering careers with us in Sheffield!
'Between us we have 822 parkruns, 48 volunteers and 33 junior parkruns. We love Sheffield Hallam parkrun and have made many many friends here.
The Team:
Sarah – Mum – 223 parkruns, 202 at Hallam. Hallam pb is 20.57

Leo – Dad – 167 parkruns pb 21.42

Madoc – 15 yrs – 131 parkruns and 32 Volunteers. Pb 21.54. Madoc started volunteering for D of E , but enjoyed it so much he carried on. Madoc prefers volunteering over running and has made lots of friends through this.

Felix – 13yrs – 185 parkruns, pb 22.00. Felix has been a regular at parkrun since starting in 2013 age 6 years. (Editor's note - here are Felix, Tilly and Barnaby together at junior parkrun, great pic!)

Barnaby – 8 years – 116 parkruns, 17 Junior parkruns. Barnaby started his Hallam parkrun career in a running pram back in 2013 and has since gone on to love attending parkrun every Saturday with a pb of 24.13. (Editor's note, that's Barnaby with Sheffield Hallam parkrun legend Bernie, and the balloons are when the Hawker's coordinated Felix 100th and Barnaby's 10th back in 2016 - impressive organisational skills there as well as excellent balloon brandishing).

Matilda – 3 years – 16 junior parkruns – Matilda started her Hallam parkrun journey before she was born with mum running until 30 weeks pregnant. She has continued her journey as a regular parkrun prammer and can often be heard shouting “go faster, mummy faster”. She now loves running the junior parkrun, and is hoping to debut running at Endcliffe parkrun soon (go away Covid-19!!)

We have parkrun in rain, snow, the epic puddle and the lovely sunshine. We love it no matter the weather.
We miss parkrun so much but are keeping ourselves busy with running, cycling, outdoor swimming and bouncing on a giant strawberry!!!. We can’t wait to be back at the new Endcliffe parkrun.

We’d like to set a challenge for everyone to get out on a run, jog or walk with their kids and have fun'
Thanks so much for sharing your family's story! Oh, and I did query the giant strawberry, as surely every home should have one, this is a benefit of knowing the great Mr Pullin apparently! What a legend that man is. Hope he's surviving lockdown too. We need our giraffe slide back in operation at Endcliffe Park when it is safe to do so of course! In the meantime I'm sorry to report it's not true you can't miss what you've never had, because I am totally missing having a giant bouncy strawberry at my disposal to help me through these challenging times. I can think of no situation which would not be infinitely improved by having access to such an asset.
Great story, and great pictures too. Remember dear reader, I'd love to hear your story too, so do get in touch to share your parkrun perspectives. You can message the facebook page if you are feeling shy, or just comment on one of the weekly shout out posts.
and now, the moment we have all been waiting for. What happened next with Rob and his backgarden parkrun challenge?
Rob PLASKITT - back garden parkrun stalwart - and so it ends?
Well, before we find out all about how it ends, let's consider how it all started:
Turns out it was 'all from a silly lockdown idea that kind of got out of hand. Back at the start of lockdown my interpretation of the guidance was that I was only allowed out once for exercise, not to drive anywhere, not more than an hour and not going too far from home; so allowing about a 6 mile run from home. (Interpreting guidance like this would rule me out of a Government advisory role.)
For me, a 6 mile run followed by a parkrun was my normal Saturday morning. For many parkrunning months I had been doing exactly this, running from home up to The Norfolk Arms at Ringinglow and then down to either Hallam or Millhouses. So when lockdown started, I had my hour permitted exercise run, and then just needed a little extra 5k. I think the backgarden running idea came from an early notaparkrun report and the fact we were in lockdown and I couldn't go out anywhere else.
Though I am looking forward to the end, because I would much rather extend my pre-parkrun run up to Burbage corner than come home and run around the garden.
And another picture, though looking quite wet and haggard, FB reminded me of this 'on this day 5 years ago' memory picture at Hallam parkrun...'

I for one was ridiculously excited all week wondering how things would unfold and hoping desperately he had ordered the right size apricot tee! So what happened next?
That was the start, what of the end? Well dear reader, it was SENSATIONAL! He toyed with us the night before though, noting that ‘the weathers looking good for an early start tomorrow and my 10th and last backgarden parkrun and first (not)parkrun, the apricot is ready...’ His customised tee at the ready we had been told to expect surprises but little more. How would things unfold? He is a master of building tension, adding that he was ‘getting some older milestone tees ready’. I was none the wiser, how was this going to work.
Well, the wait is over, and I am delighted to inform you that he not only completed his challenge, he did so with originality, aplomb and a multitude of wardrobe changes that would do any pantomime dame proud. He must have started early as he began his epic day by heading out to Graves parkrun, which he completed in 27:52, to rerun his 50th wearing his 50th milestone tee. Genius! Next he headed to Hallam which he completed in an impressive 26:55, to rerun his 100th wearing – you’re ahead of me, his 100th milestone tee! Next it was to Millhouses parkrun, which he stormed round in 26:47, to rerun his 150th – getting faster, I mean that’s impressive too. Although he acknowledged this was not a milestone, he added ‘I like the 50, 100, 150 sequence, and Theo's "Party in the Park" should have been here in May, who we have raised over £500 for during these last 10 weeks’. For this he was wearing his Theo charity tee. So that was three parkruns before he even made it to the start of his backgarden challenge.
For his grand finish, he finally got to don his hard earned personalised apricot tee, and completed his backgarden parkrun in 41:56! He tells us ‘Again not an official milestone, though it is for me, 10 back garden parkruns seems a worthy milestone for an apricot tee to remember these last few weeks.’ Well I agree Rob, that’s a truly amazing achievement and a fine finale too!

Also, I take it exceedingly kindly that this worked out as 555 laps total: 9 at 55 and 1 at 60, on a modified course because of wet grass. The run stats are below so you can admire his achievement properly. But 555 dear reader, a palindrome on top of all his other achievements. A great day indeed.
- 1: 11-April: 50:43
- 2: 18-April: 46:08
- 3: 25-April: 41:51
- 4: 2-May: 42:08
- 5: 9-May: 41:34
- 6: 16-May: 40:24
- 7: 23-May: 39:04
- 8: 30-May: 40:55
- ----: 6-June: rained off
- 9: 13-June: 50:12 (wet)
- 10: 20-June: 41:56
Each backgarden parkrun was an mind blowing 55 laps, except #9 - a modified course with 60 laps!
That's quite some #notparkrunday!
Well, I don’t know about you dear reader, but this all makes me really happy, it’s an absolutely amazing achievement. I just hope he had a huge pile of laurels to rest on and suitable post notparkrun beverages aplenty alongside a table groaning with comestibles to assist his recovery! Seriously well done, I am in awe! Never was a personalised apricot tee so well deserved and so hard-earned. I salute you Rob, your mental strength and tenacity is extraordinary, if you can motivate yourself to complete this challenge, I reckon you can do pretty much anything. Choose wisely! It must be a relief to have finally concluded the challenge in some ways, but I wonder if soon you will feel a void and seek out a new one, and I for one can't wait to see what that will be. Until that kicks in, enjoy the euphoria of a job well done.
Running is BS podcast alert:
By the way, in case you were thinking Rob was a lone backgarden parkrunner, check out this podcast #37 - Running in your Garden is Bullshit feat for April 20, 2020.
'Providing a mild distraction from your lockdown, Running is BS delves into the bizarre world of the garden marathon, running up Everest in your house and other weird things desperate runners are doing to stay occupied and get their distance in. ... Our guest this week is Gareth Allen, an ultra runner who live streamed his garden marathon to a worldwide audience!'
How very excellent! Maybe Rob should do his challenge again, but live streamed this time. Remember, respect everyone's right to participate in their own way dear reader!
parkrun statsgeek corner:
- COMPLETELY USELESS RANDOM STAT KLAXON - There are 18 parkruns and junior parkruns beginning with the letter U, Including Umhlanga parkrun in South Africa - check out their fancy finish funnel!

- Also, thanks to Elliott Line for keeping going with his stats, as ever, he has provided the parkrun Registration and Anniversary Stats for 20th June 2020 because of his endeavours, we knowthere 971 new registrations in the past seven days - that's actually loads, seeing as parkrun is on pause, astoundingly high even. The event with the highest number of registrations in the past seven days was: Kei Mouth (South Africa) 11
- the following parkruns had their first anniversaries this weekend, it makes a bit of my heart sad they didn't get to celebrate, but lets toast them here instead. Maybe that will give them some small crumb of comfort that they are not forgotten! parkrun Gatchina Prioratsky (Russia) 1 year, River Valley parkrun, Edmonton (Canada) 1 year, Chasewater parkrun (UK) 1 year, Cradock parkrun (South Africa) 1 year, Flaxmere parkrun (New Zealand) 1 year, Fukakitaryokuchi parkrun (Japan) 1 year, Holy Cross College parkrun (UK) 1 year, Lusitoland parkrun (South Africa) 1 year, Nautical parkrun (Canada) 1 year, Perrigo parkrun (United States) 1 year.
This time last year...
FYI, on 15th June 2019 it was event 441 and there were 594 participants supported by an impressive 39 volunteers. First finishers were Steve FRANKLIN and Vicky PENN - and I think we should give a special whoop of recognition for frontrunner Steve Franklin, because cast you mind back to the beginning of this notarunreport and you will recall that five years previously he achieved the same thing. Male first finisher, five years apart, impressive.

Age grade percentages recognise slightly different parkrunners:
- Vicky Penn 74.24 %; Maggie Bowden 73.29 % and Fiona Tranfield 72.32 %
- Mikko Juusola 83.67 %; Steve Franklin 78.35 % and Thomas Hall 77.09 %
Official photographer was our very own George CARMAN - here he is in action, well equipped as always - not sure why he was wearing a wig that day:

making the magic happen were these awesome high vis heroes:
Ananya AGARWAL, Anurag AGARWAL, Anuvrat AGARWAL, Rebecca ATKINS, Tom ATKINSON, Gerry BENNET, Lucas BILLINGTON, Ann BREWSTER, George CARMAN, Rebecca CARMAN, Sandi CARMAN, Thomas CHELLAM, Finlay COOPER, Helen CRIMLISK, Julia DIMA, Carmina DOMINIC, Aaron FRANCIS, Susanna FRANCIS, Isaac GAMAGE, Brian GOOCH, Bernie HARDING, Aidan HARRIS, Madoc HAWKER, Ben HELLER, Martyn JAMES, David KNAPTON, Claire LITTLE, Jane LITTLE, Ethan MARSDEN, Kate MARSDEN, Francine MARSHALL, Ruth MCILROY, Jacob MCKEVITT FLACK, Christine MINOTT, Seb MURRAY, Alex SPEAKMAN, John TOYNE, Chris WALLBRIDGE, Delia WATTS
here are some:

It was most definitely a fun-filled parkfun parkrun occasion.
There were silky coated barkrunners, looking more catwalk than parkwalk to be fair:

Some spectacular flying feet runners - ooh, and is that a notarunreport regular I espy levitating round in the yellow, such a happy parkrunning smile, it's infectious and lifts the soul to see does it not?:



There were some spectacularly happy parkrunners:

There were buggy runners:

buddy runners:

and parkrunners category other (including best leggings) a-plenty:


John MAPLES kept calm:

But most importantly of all, Anurag AGARWAL completed his 100th parkrun. He may even have enjoyed doing so!

Random Shout Outs:
Time for some random shout outs methinks. These are from the 15th June 2019 event, because that was the second weekend in June - nearest equivalent for this weekend - and there are photos from that event not previously used.
- In position 18 (number of parkruns and junior parkruns worldwide beginning with the letter u): Brendon SMITH-WESTERGAARD
- In position 22 (number of different countries in the world with a parkrun - or currently notaparkrun): Kurt SPITERI CORNISH
- In position 39 (number of volunteers at the 15th June 2019 event): Neil SCHOFIELD
- In position 38 (average age of parkrunners at this event): Michael HALL
- In position 73 (number of pbs at this parkrun): Matt RHODES
- In position 247 (number of parkrun last held on this date 20 June 2015): Emma WALKER
- In position 292 (number of parkruns completed by Harry Chapman at Sheffield Hallam parkrun to date): Emma COVENEY
- In position 305 (number of parkuns completed by Harry Chapman to date): Kieran SHUKLA
- In position 441 (number of Sheffield Hallam parkrun on 15th June 2019): Archie DEAN
- In position 451 ( which is our average finishers per week - near enough, it's actually 451.3; but I didn't think it would be achievable or ethical to acquire a .3 parkrunner): David HAWLEY
- In position 477 (number of parkruns which Sheffield Hallam parkrun paused on): Graham BELL
- In position 531 (pin skin man's race number in picture below): Neil LAYCOCK
- I thought Zak was a relatively unusual name, but there were three (sort of) joining us at parkrun today and I've decided they all get shout outs too, just because: Zak HARDING; Zak LUTSYSHYN and Amir Zaki ABDULLAH ZUBIR
parkrun worldwide - spotlight on:
The parkrun family is made up of 22 countries around the world.
The parkrun family is made up of 22 countries around the world. Each week we're profiling a different country. This week it’s Japan! Read the spotlight on Japan blog post here.

Recreating your own notparkrun - notparkrun virtual - how did everyone get on with this?
What are (not)parkruns?
In the absence of parkrun events (not)parkrun is an opportunity for parkrunners to submit a 5k walk, jog, or run, on a route of your choosing, on a day and time of your choice, wherever you are in the world and following appropriate guidelines for physical activity wherever you’re based. You can record up to one activity per day, with your fastest time each week included in a weekly results table.
Yep, the fun thing is, everyone who has a home run of Sheffield Hallam parkrun (or wherever) has their times grouped together in one results table, so we can have a sense of our parkrun community re-emerging. These runs don't contribute to parkun tees, but are part of the come back journey. Yay! I got very excited seeing the latest Sheffield Hallam notparkrun results table, though some will be missing as the (not)parkrun week starts on Monday and ends on Sunday - still, teaser for you:

PLEASE NOTE the FAQs especially:
Do I have to do my 5k at my home parkrun course? No - in fact we would prefer it if you didn’t. You can walk, jog, or run your 5k anywhere you like (providing it is safe to do so). In your garden, to and from your house, it doesn’t matter where your 5k is. We definitely do not want parkrunners turning up to their usual parkrun course at parkrun time.
It’s definitely not parkrun, but might suit some. Find out more, including how it works here http://parkrun.me/ywtjv
#loveparkrun
** IN CASE YOU MISSED IT *** Repeat appeal Endcliffe parkrun - HELP make it happen!
When Sheffield Hallam parkrun does eventually return, it won't. It'll be back as Endcliffe parkrun. HOW EXCITING!! We do need some help to make it so. As well as hardcore volunteers to help with path laying we also have a need for some very specific bits of kit, specifically:
The items we are seeking are:
- Rope. Quite a lot of rope, preferably climbing rope or similar. The new route has a number of two way sections and wiggly bits, and the current tape and poles have a tendency to blow over or even blow away if you so much as exhale near them. The plan is to get some decent sections of rope and cut to the required length, and then number them so we know which position they need to be in. This will be more time efficient, and hopefully weigh down the plastic poles a bit too.
- Set of small, but sturdy ladders. Inexplicably, not everyone likes to clamber up on the big bin in order to deliver the pre run briefing. Even more astoundingly, not all have Louise's ability to do so with agility and grace.
- Some combination padlocks - to help us secure kit. Combination is best so we don't have to worry about remembering or losing keys, but they need to be a reasonable quality if possible. Some chain to go with it, or bike lock type with steel wire.
- Umbrellas - nice big golfing ones. We will need more marshals on the new course, and we want them to survive the winter without being soaked through unnecessarily. So some nice umbrellas would be fab.
If anyone has anything to donate then in the first instance send an email to sheffieldhallam@parkrun.com and Louise Dale-Hughes will pick up the emails and respond. If you are one of the people who can help, you will get a warm glow of satisfaction for having helped bring the new Endcliffe parkrun into being. Thanks in anticipation.
Lego parkrun - why has this not been done before?
It actually happened last week, but better late than never eh, and it is completely excellent. We have Highlands parkrun to thank for this long overdue innovation. Highlands parkrun is actually in Victoria Australia, and I have decided this might be a contender for my spiritual home. You'll soon see why...
Special Event - Lego parkrun

“Today Saturday 13-Jun we had a total of 63 runners, walkers and joggers completing laps of our stunning lake (55 males and 8 females). It was great to see everyone embracing today’s theme of Lego, and getting into full costume. Great effort! There were no milestones celebrated today, however we did have an awesome 63 first timers. Unfortunately there was a technical error and none of the times were officially recorded, but we all enjoyed getting out and about. Thank you to our wonderful volunteers, who gave up their morning so that others could participate. Just a heads up that we did have some giant ducks trying to eat participants this morning, so it is extra important to make sure that children are always with an adult“.

Brilliant - check out the attention to detail, the giant ducks warning and the amazing flying feet photos are no mean feat either (see what I did there? Genius). Also, I love how this illustrates how parkruns are indeed the same the world over, dogs on a short leash; hi vis heroes; an orderly run briefing; an event photographer; dog poo monitor (I think you get an 'other' volunteer credit for that role too) results processors; good natured queues for scanning - even a pond not unlike our own in Endcliffe park to run along by, sigh. It makes me happy just to gaze on it.
Recreating parkrun Senja parkrun Animal Crossings New Horizons
There are other recreations of parkrun out there. Who else fancied doing some parkrun tourism to bagsy a top 3 finish position once parkrun returns at Senja parkrun - video link

Stuart on twitter as @astronomyblog gifted us 'A rainy but enjoyable Senja parkrun #3 yesterday in #AnimalCrossingNewHorizons. Thanks to those that took part and joined the post-parkrun coffee afterwards. I need to put out more cones next week to stop people going wrong after the 3km marker! check it out here: https://twitter.com/astronomyblog/status/1272181604782428161
parkrun tourists?
If you are missing your parkrun tourism, you might be interested in this new parkrun tourist toy https://wangy.co.uk/parkstats recently developed, it needs input and ratings from parkrunners to populate the site.
Ian Wang, who has built the site introduced it as follows: I would like to ask for some help. I have created a website to map useful parkrun information - which parkruns are dog friendly? running buggy friendly? P.B. potential? and more. To make this useful I need people to add their ratings to the website. If you could add ratings for parkruns you have done this would be great. All ratings are personal opinion, there is no correct answer. The website is https://wangy.co.uk/parkstats If you find the website unclear, encounter bugs or have a suggestion then please let me know. Happy rating :)

barkrun tourists?
Why not enjoy a virtual romp round Queen Elizabeth parkrun and bagsy yourself a Q for your alphabet challenge whilst you're about it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIRbSE5QATo

parkrunning map - lovers?
Your time has come, check this out! parkruns active over time by video map

Don't forget, pondering parkrun podcasts
To help keep the parkrun dream alive, you can still listen to parkrun podcasts, official and unofficial depending on how on the edge you live your life
1) Free, Weekly, Timed - the official parkrun voice - The official parkrun podcast Free, Weekly Timed is still coming out each week, so you can extend your parkrun fix by listening to that - huge backlog to check out too, if you are stuck inside. On this week's pod - parkrun is BACK in New Zealand. We speak to parkrun COO Tom Williams; Helen breaks down some of the myths of running during pregnancy with Andrew Shennan, Professor of Obstetrics at King’s College London. Plus, Vassos the coach!
2) With Me Now - with Danny Norman, the unofficial voice of parkrun - With Me Now is also continuing to produce it's weekly podcast. Episode 102 - 'unthank' is now available! In this week's episode we herald the return of parkrun in New Zealand, say so long and thank you to the Lockdown Lives, discover the rarest postbox in history, welcome (not)parkrun, have your arrbeetrees, stats and update you on the Dachshund Couple. Pic (Lindsay Reeves): The Northampton Crayons meeting up for a nonparkrun and making other park users look twice. You have to appreciate socially distanced crayons.

Also now, a YouTube Channel: youtube.com/withmenow
3) Running is BS - I was only introduced to this podcast this week. An idiosyncratic podcast taking a slightly quirky look at running and notrunning related frustrations. Not gonna lie, drew me in this week with the prospect of - which I thought couldn't be true, but turns out, it is - an interview with 'pin skin man'. That is the man turns up to races shirtless, with his race number pinned to his bare chest and has become known as 'pin skin man'. I found it an unexpected pod, tackling some serious issues, albeit it is somewhat sweary with language some may find offensive so consider yourself warned. It's acknowledges the love/hate relationship some of us have with running... bit ranty, but who amongst us doesn't like a good running-related rant now and again. Their website is here: https://runningisbs.com/about-us/
This particular podcast describes itself as: We also talk a fair bit about equality and Amy says 'intersectionality' a few times, well she is a doctor after all. There's a lot of actual bullshit going on in the world at the moment, and we address it where we can but we're not the experts you need and urge you to find out more about race issues, LGB issues, trans issues, and all the other groups currently under attack. https://runningisbs.podbean.com/e/41-t-shirts-are-bullshit-feat-connor-strynkowski-aka-pin-skin-man/ Quite a refreshing podcast, quirky even. Maybe dip in, see what you think to mix things up a bit. They have a Running is BS Facebook page too.

Please DON'T TRY THIS AT HOME! I'm not going to try this myself, and I strongly suggest you don't either. It might be more practical and comfortable for him, but I'm thinking he might not be representative of the parkrun population as a whole. I have to undertake a risk assessment when including such items in this notarunreport, stay safe dear reader, and keep your chests pin hole free! Or if you must give it a try, be aware it is very much at your own risk!
4) Podcast The Women in Sport Podcast:
The Women in Sport podcast brings together insight, advice and expertise from across the sector to discuss the issues and topics you think are important and affecting women and girls in the UK.

Another new to me podcast, but seems interesting, what caught my eye was this offering: Removing the barriers to sport for Muslim girls from December 2019 We chat to Amna Akhtar co-founder of Girl Dreamer, the empowerment platform for women of colour, and Suhaiymah Manzoor-Khan from Maslaha, creators of the Muslim Girls Fence project with British Fencing, about the barriers that Muslim girls face, how the sports sector can change and support them to get active. Follow their work: www.girldreamer.co.uk
But if podcasts are your thing, there's quite a back catalogue to dip into including a discussion on the impact of body image and this one on the power of running communities - do wish people would stop referring to women as 'girls' though, makes me shudder every time... Some women own it, but I don't wish to be infantalised thank you very much.
The “Africans”: covert racism in long distance running
Also this, not a podcast, but an under explored topic: 'In this article, Fast 10’s Jack Gray considers how the more subtle and nuanced form of covert racism, can manifest in the long-distance running community'

Mike Jones, peak district boundary runner
On the subject of long-distance running, whilst I've been spending the last 14 weeks checking out the stretch potential of elasticated waists, others who move amongst us have been using this time for more energetic pastimes. Case in point,
How about run 192 miles around the Peak District and set a new world record?
“I’m feeling fine actually,” says new record holder for the Peak District Boundary Run Mike Jones, from Nether Edge, on the day after his 58 hours and 11 minutes run from Ringinglow around the entire boundary of the Peak District National Park.'

I wonder what exactly in his world constitutes 'fine' but wowsers anyway!
Assuming my stalking talents have not escaped me, Mike has completed 7 parkruns at Sheffield Hallam out of 47 parkruns in total. His parkrun birthday was 21st May 2016, and he did his parkrun debut with us in Endcliffe park, Also, for those of us who like order in our numbers, his fastest time in 2020 was 20:00 exactly at Millhouses parkrun! How very pleasing. As well as being involved with GoodGym he has also chalked up 19 volunteer roles, which is an impressive volunteering ratio.
Nice information about GoodGym too. If we have any Sheffield Hallam parkrunning Goodgymers who fancy sharing their story it would be great to hear from you. Message the facebook page or just post a comment on one of the weekly appeals for contributions.
Mandatory Duck Shot:
Best ever woman hatches ducks from waitrose eggs. The whole story is in the headline really but I like the extra detail of their names if you read the actual article. In case clicking on the link is too arduous:
'A woman has hatched three ducklings called Beep, Peep and Meep from eggs she bought in Waitrose. Charli Lello, 29, from Hertfordshire, put the Clarence Court eggs in an incubator as an experiment to pass the time after being furloughed. She said the ducklings would live "a very happy life" with her pet chickens.'

and aren't they just adorable!
but I was double blessed this week, thanks to Bernie HARDING for gifting me this mallard and young shot. Aww, love mallards, they are just perfect!

got to luvvaduck. Thank you Bernie!
parkrun pun corner
Also, have you heard that HQ are exploring a new idea for parkrun? A 5k, but just for ducks. We call it quackrun Thoughts? Might ruffle a few feathers? Don't forget your beak-code.
and finally, a message from parkrun founder Paul Sinton-Hewitt:
Worth a gander, think if it as a bonus aquatic bird reference opportunity.
By Paul Sinton-Hewitt, parkrun founder — Wednesday 17 June 2020
2020 has been a year like no other in living memory. All over the world we have witnessed an invisible threat to our lives and our livelihoods. Some of us have lost friends and loved ones, and our freedoms have necessarily been restricted in order to protect the most vulnerable. The world, it seems, has closed down, disrupting our routines and denying us real, physical, social interaction. Driven by an unrelenting news cycle many of us have become scared, fearful and anxious.
In my lifetime, I honestly can’t remember a more turbulent period of societal unrest or disharmony. In part, this is clearly due to the impact of and response to Covid-19 (Coronavirus), but fractures and dislocations in society are no doubt also the result of a huge number of difficult, pre-existing, and ongoing issues; from environmental damage, political unrest, devastating bushfires in Australia and more recently the tragic events in the US which have sparked a worldwide conversation on discrimination and injustice.
Having been brought up in Apartheid South Africa in the 1960s, I am only too aware of the inequality and injustices that many people are subject to. I try to live a good life, to be moral in my thoughts, and to be ethical in my actions. I brought these principles to parkrun - specifically a strong conviction that physical activity should be for everyone. And I am extremely proud of the way the team has embraced these values and drawn upon them to further what I started, and that they remain committed to continuing them as we look to the future.
I’m also proud that parkrun has become a sanctuary for millions of people from all sorts of backgrounds over the past 16 years. But it didn’t start out that way. At that first event in October 2004, I was one of 18 white, middle-class people, in a Royal Park in an affluent suburb of London who participated in what we now know as parkrun. Back then, this wasn’t particularly unusual. It’s an uncomfortable truth but the running sector has long struggled with a lack of diversity in participation.
Sadly, we also know that the Black, Asian and minority ethnic community participating in running are under-represented, (as well as in physical activity more generally), whilst being at greater risk of ill health and lower health outcomes, exacerbating health inequalities in the general population. We’ve long felt it is these communities that potentially have the most to gain from participating in events such as parkrun.
Prior to the suspension due to Coronavirus, parkrun events were taking place in over 2,000 locations across 22 countries. Nearly 7 million people around the world have registered with us and (in normal times) 350,000 people walk, jog, run and volunteer at their local community event every weekend.
Personally, the big numbers have never been a motivation for me. When I realised early on that parkrun had the power to change lives, I made it our mission first to establish a parkrun event in every community that wanted one, and then, around 2015, (and even more ambitiously) to create a healthier, happier planet. We also made a commitment that parkrun would always be free, for everyone, forever.
At that time, and to address the fact that we could no longer rely on word of mouth to reach those who had the most to gain from regular, free, inclusive physical activity we became more interventionist.
We developed a strategy that would see parkrun find the most simple, scalable and successful solutions to encourage more marginalised and excluded groups to participate in parkrun. We recognised that we couldn’t do it all, that we could only make a difference in the context of physical activity and community events, but that we could make a start, that every barcode represented a person, and that every person should be considered equal.
That strategy guided our work developing events in areas of deprivation across the UK and elsewhere. It provided the framework for establishing events on the custodial estate, and enabled our partnership with the Royal College of GPs in the UK, which sees GP practices collaborate with local parkrun events and signpost patients and public health staff to parkrun.
Nearly 16 years on from that first Saturday morning in Bushy Park, I remain immensely proud of our work and of what parkrun has become.
As I continue to reflect on the events of this year, and in particular of the last week or two, I recognise that for all of our collective successes and achievements, there will always be more that we can do. We will continue to challenge ourselves on our fundamental values, which remain at the heart of our organisation and define the parkrun family.
Whilst we all face uncertain times and witness deep divisions in society, I will always believe that people are good, and that every new day provides an opportunity to celebrate our differences. I know parkrun is not the only answer, but it will always be a force for good and can be part of the solution.
Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to reassure the parkrun family that we resolutely remain for everyone. And particularly, that we stand by the disadvantaged, the marginalised, and the excluded.
We hear you, we see you, and we welcome you.
Free, for everyone, forever.
Paul

Not gonna lie, I am completely starstruck by PSH, he is surely the embodiment of the phrase 'be the change you want to see in the world'. Also, just start heading out in the direction you want to go and see how far it takes you. Like Zaheer embarking on his C25K too perhaps.
The End.
We'll get back here one day...

Stay positive parkrunning friends. There is light at the end of the tunnel, and we don't know for sure yet that it'll turn out to be an approaching train. Hang on in there, this time will pass.
Lucy Marris, parkrunner A448776

Like I said, I'm a bit star struck in the presence of PSH - and here I am with a quartet of parkrun royalty. That's Paul Graham, founder of junior parkrun, me, PSH, Paul Killick currently totally 686 parkruns (cool number) and of course, Elisabeth of Elisabeth's corner at Bushy parkrun, with her Spirit of parkrun award on their 15th birthday celebrations. Of course I was excitable!