Thank you to the volunteers who made today possible and a very special thank you Pauline who has now volunteered 100 times and is wonderfully encouraging to all. Pauline feels everyone is a hero for taking part and had a chocolate ‘hero’ waiting for everyone at the end.  Thank you Pauline.

Today 66 people ran, jogged and walked the course we hoped you all enjoyed it. A special mention to Stephen Tarrant who drove up from Croydon to complete his 300^th consecutive event at a different parkrun each week. Now that’s a streak.

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

What a glorious morning!

After lots of messy rain over the last few days, bright sunshine shone on us as we gathered for today’s Fulbourn Hospital parkrun. Arriving in good time, it was reassuring to see car park marshal Jennifer who could confirm I had parked in the right place. 

Admiring the daffodils and the blossom from the flowering cherries, I then headed towards Anna and the gathering volunteers, who all welcomed me and made sure I knew what I was doing! I must apologise for asking so many questions- the last time I was in the vicinity was about forty years ago and, unsurprisingly perhaps, things have changed!! 

As regulars will know, Fulbourn Hospital began life in the 19^th century, opening in 1858. Over the years there have been many changes in approach, with some of the developments in treatment gaining international fame. Most of the activities take place now in modern buildings but some of the original buildings are still used by the NHS and I recommend any tourists to have a drive into the next-door Capital Park business park to have a quick look at them. 

Soon it was time for Run Director Richard Lyle to call everyone together for a briefing. His main concern was that everyone should enjoy the event. As he said, you can take as long as you like. In fact he even suggested it would be OK to stop for a picnic halfway round- that is until he remembered that one of the site rules was that picnics are unfortunately not allowed. And he warned us to beware of the rabbit burrows!

The course itself is four and a bit laps round the site, with a mixture of grass, and paths. Due to twists and turns, it is an enjoyable route. There is, we were informed, no hill. However there did seem to be something of an incline which had to be run up each lap. And what was baffling to me was that there didn’t seem to be a corresponding section sloping down. It was like some kind of Escher construct. Everyone else seemed to be taking it in their stride so maybe my issue is really to do with the extra weight I am currently carrying around my midriff. 

With the numbers present, the paths were never crowded. Being towards the back of the pack I had an extra opportunity of congratulating the fastest runners as they overtook me twice on their way round. There was no risk of me overtaking tail-walker Lorraine though.

All the volunteers were super encouraging as we went round. The wildlife was also supporting us- Magpies with their football-rattle calls and Green Woodpeckers with their yodelling cries. Many of the resident birds were singing to establish territories, keen to start breeding before the summer migrants arrive. I heard Robins, Great Tits and Chaffinches as I circumnavigated the course. 

Although my body wanted to finish a lap early, I kept going and was pleased to still record my fastest time of the year so far- good news as I have been taking quite a lot of meds recently. 

In all, 66 participants finished the event. These included plenty of experienced Fulbourn parkrunners of whom eleven secured course personal best times, perhaps a reflection of the great weather and the springy turf. One of these was William Roberts-Sengier who was first home- congratulations! Congratulations too to first lady, Clare Arnott!

We were joined this time by one first-time parkrunner- I hope you enjoyed the experience and will return!

There were also a healthy score of tourists attending Fulbourn Hospital parkrun for the first time, from a whole variety of locations, not just within Cambridge but from other counties, including Norfolk, Buckinghamshire, Kent, Essex, Hertfordshire and Dorset. It could be that some were lured by today’s run number, thirty four. Amongst those who collect statistics there is an interest in attending event numbers that are part of the Fibonnaci sequence. Quite clearly the 12^th century mathematician and scientist Fibonnaci himself was not a parkrunner but his sequence does keep turning up in unexpected situations and now it has been introduced as a parkrun challenge. I am sure he would have been bemused…

As ever, massive thanks to all the volunteers. You really created a great atmosphere for us all today and I drove home happy. The whole event was a welcome tonic in the challenging times we are currently living through. 

All the best

John Buchanan

A640322

12th February 2022

Many thanks to the volunteers and everyone who took part in our 30th park run event and for making my first RD role since pre-covid times run smoothly.  It was lovely to have Garry Parr join us, who is one of our regional Ambassadors, to also give wise words of encouragement.

A few post event shout outs:
Roy Reeder completed 572 parkruns today and was also first across the finish.
Stewart Anthony completed 350 visiting from Heaton Park Parkrun.
We had a lovely fun group called The Woozby Nerbets visiting, who left us guessing the meaning of their name.
A very happy birthday to Emily, who kept her cool being a solo timekeeper!

I have just about warmed back up, please come and join us next week.
Jackie

This week 71 people ran, jogged and walked the course, of whom 24 were first timers and 11 recorded new Personal Bests. Representatives of 17 different clubs took part.

The event was made possible by 16 volunteers:

Pauline BLAKE • Richard LYLE • Fiona MCDAID • Amelie KIRCHGAESSNER • Linda IGGLESDEN • Jon BYFORD • Jackie TOMLINSON • Tony TOMLINSON • Emily ARNOTT • Lorraine DUNSMORE • Cameron DUNSMORE • Andrew ALDRIDGE • Fufu FANG • Oliver RAUSCH • Roy PESCOD • Emma PESCOD

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