It was a warm, bright and sunny day for this weeks Gedling junior parkrun, which saw 51 runners (as well as several parents) smile their way through the course.

This week, Charlotte, Finlay and Isla all completed their first junior parkrun, and Scarlett earned her half-marathon wristband. We also saw 9 people set a new PB, so congratulations to Elijah, Oliver James, Hannah, Sadie, Henry, Archie, Dylan, Sophia and Ruby. Our first finisher was Lewis, whilst Talitha was the first female finisher.

Our traditional pre-run warm-up was led by myself (Ewan) and Sammy.

Of course, the event can’t happen without the volunteers so thanks to Catriona, Ciaran, Clare, Damian, Evie, Frances, Helen, Henry, Ian, Jake, Jenny, Karen, Linda, Madeleine, Madeleine, Matthew, Mhairi, Nick, Nick, Oliver, Richard, Rory, Sammy, Sarah and Sharon for wearing the high-vis this week. Also, an extra big “Thank you!” to Sarah, who, as well as being our Volunteer Co-Ordinator, has now volunteered at 250 various parkrun events. We are always looking for new volunteers, so please consider it if you are free on a Sunday morning.

Your run director next week, and for the first time, is going to be Sammy.

Thanks,
Ewan

On the way to the park this morning Zoe told me that there was a 94% chance of rain at 9 o'clock. Thankfully, the 6% chance of no rain was the stat that won and we managed to get through event 164 without being drenched; great news! Whatever the weather, there is ALWAYS a 100% chance of fun at Gedling junior parkrun and that was the case today.

A grand total of fifty junior athletes made their way around our route this morning, it was wonderful to see so many of you managing to drag a grown-up or two along too, well done all! Some numbers for you: we had six first-timers, we welcomed Ben, Joe, Max, Elijah, Noah and Levi to Gedling for the very first time, please come back soon to see us again. A huge number of you, eight in total got your speedy feet on and recorded your fastest time ever around the course, well done to Leo, Jack, Cairo, Sadie, Harrison, Rowan, Noah and Poppy knocking a second or two off your best times.

Of course it's not all about going super fast from start to finish, however you chose to get around is good by us. If you run, walk, jog, skip or hop you'll get a special commemorative wristband to show off around school. These will be given to you when you've done 11, 21 or 50 junior parkruns. If you think that you have earned some parkrun bling, just have a chat with your run director and we'll make sure that you don't miss out.

Talking of free stuff, did you know that when a volunteer has completed 25 stints in the hi-viz, they qualify for a beautiful purple parkrun tee-shirt? No? Well it's true! Over the next few weeks we are a little short of names for the volunteer list and we really can't put on these events without some amazing people. If you fancy donning the waistcoat of wonder, then please email us or have a chat with your run director. Each job is very simple, you'll get fully briefed and you'll feel good about yourself all day!

Today's cast, handing out high-fives, clapping and cheering was Bo, Catriona, Charlie, Damian, Darren, Debra, Ian, Jake, Jenny, Joanne, John, John, Karen, Linda, Madeleine, Madeleine, Sammy, Sarah, Sonny, Tabitha, Tom and Zoe, phew! It was a special day for Madeleine too, she was happy to give up the morning of her sixteenth birthday to come and join in the junior parkrun fun. Happy birthday Moo!

That's about it for today, a massive thank you to Damian for shadowing me as he trains to become our newest run director. He'll be back next week with Tamsin, they will be sharing the megaphone duties and I know it will be great fun.

Bye for now, have an amazing week, Jonathan. #loveparkrun

This Sunday was a pleasant Summer's day, perfect for parkrunning, park-jogging and park-walking and park-volunteering !

Our wonderful volunteers arrived bright and early as usual, all 22 of them, ready to take up their roles with their usual gusto.

Once again, Ewan was first there, leading the charge to set up the course.

We also had several new volunteers (well, new to me anyway!), so very warm welcome to you, and thanks very much, look forward to seeing you soon!!

The full list of volunteers this week, since they all deserve a shout, is: Linda ALLEN, Michelle BRADLEY, Ian BRINKLER, Jake BROUGHTON, Karen E BROUGHTON, Catriona BUCKLEY, Charlie COLLIN, Tom ENGLAND, John ENGLAND, Nick HILL, Max HILL, Madeleine HORRIGAN, Sarah HORRIGAN-FULLARD, Louise KELLY, Emily RATCLIFFE, Matthew RATCLIFFE, Louise RATCLIFFE, Isabella RIELEY, Jonathan TANNER, Joanne TANNER, Zoe TANNER, Ewan WANE

By 9 o'clock our willing runners, and wonderful parents had gathered in their masses, and we were ready to start the pre-run announcements (yes, sorry, I'll try and do it faster next time ! :-))

There were milestones reached by Evelyn and Sophie, who received Half-Marathon wristbands as a reward for completing 11 runs at Gedling Juniors. Very well done both of you !

Don't forget you can print off your certificate to show all your friends at school what a fabulous runner you are! Just ask a parent to log in to your parkrun profile to print it off.

Once again Ewan led the warm up, which proved very popular !

There were 64 children, and countless parents joining them so it was a great turn out, once again! There were 12 personal best times , and 9 first timers, so welcome one and all ! 

We look forward to seeing you all next week, when Jonathan will be Run Director, at our wonderful, scenic , parkrun!

Once again, I am never disappointed by the atmosphere that is generated by Gedling junior parkrun. So many excited voices as we wait for the start, the chitter-chatter of friends saying hello to each other as they play on the park and the squeaks of joy as the "3-2-1, go" releases hundreds of little legs onto the course.

Today we welcomed 59 of you to our beautiful park and you certainly made the most of it. Among the numbers were four brand-new parkrunners, a huge hello to Luca, Alexandra, William and Ella. There were a few personal best times today too, Phoenix, Hudson, Evalina, Lydia and Samuel all managed to shave a few seconds off their previous best time. Well done all of you. Congratulations too to Ewan and Edward who completed 50 and 11 junior parkruns today. If you think that you are due to receive your celebration wristband, just let your Run Director know and you'll be leaving with a lovely little keepsake. Don't forget that you can download and print a certificate too, both are great if you have a show and tell coming up at school.

As always, we wouldn't be able to put on this marvelous event without the help of our volunteers. Look how happy they are in the hi-viz! If you fancy wearing the waistcoat of wonder, just drop us an email or have a chat with your Run Director. We are a little short over the summer months, so come and join us whenever you can.

Tamsin is in charge of the mega-phone next week, I know she is already looking forward to seeing you all.

See you at the start line, have a great week. Jonathan. #loveparkrun

Another beautiful day in the park saw a magnificent 73 of you making your way around our course. Well done all of you for dragging yourselves (and your adults) out of bed and to the start line. It is always wonderful to see so many smiling faces and eager feet, ready to go.

After an excellent warm-up, led by Frances and Ewan, we were off, and what an effort it was today. An incredible 20 of you went from start to finish in your own personal best time. Huge congratulations to you lot, well done. Also in our group today, we welcomed seven juniors who were new to Gedling and of those, five chose today to make their very first appearance at any junior parkrun. Welcome all of you, we hope to see you again very soon. This morning, five of our regulars were awarded their celebration wristbands; Emily and Edward got their half-marathon bands for completing 11 junior parkruns and Freya, Zara and Ravi have all taken part in 21 events and are now the proud owners of their marathon bands. Well done all of you.

As always, we wouldn't be able to safely put on this event without some wonderful people. Your hi-viz heroes all give up their own time to clap, cheer and high-five you around the park. Over the next few weeks into summer, there are quite a few gaps on the volunteer roster, so please let us know, either in person or via email (gedlingjuniors@parkrun.com) if you fancy donning the tabard of tremendousness.

Big cheers and hats off to our hi-vizzers today, Alice, Andy, Clare, Damiam, Ewan, Frances, Isabella, Joanne, Madeleine, Martyn, Matthew, Nick, Sarah, Sharon, Sonny, Tom and Zoe.

Sarah takes the reins next week, I know that she is already excited about seeing you all. Bring a friend, bring two, everyone is welcome to join in the Sunday fun.

That's all folks! See you next week, Jonathan. #loveparkrun

What better way to spend a sunny Sunday than on the hills of Gedling Country Park for our junior parkrun! 87 super speedy runners and 26 volunteers definitely agreed, creating a real buzz this morning.

We welcomed plenty of new faces today: 7 recorded their first official runs at Gedling juniors, and there were a few more who haven't yet registered and got their barcode. It’s easy to register and you only need to do it once.

Overall we recorded 21 Personal Best times this morning which was amazing, and definitely rewarding to ring the PB-Cowbell at the end! Well done to all of you and a special mention to Joey and Jenny for completing their half marathons (11 runs), as well as Cairo for completing his full marathon (21 runs). Anyone can qualify for a wristband after completing 11, 21 or 50 junior parkruns, so if you think that you are due to collect one, just speak to your friendly Run Director and we'll make sure that you're not disappointed.

A massive thank you to all of our volunteers who played a helping hand this morning. The lovely volunteers today were: Nick Hill, Frances Astill, Tom England, Sammy King, Sarah Horringan-Fullard, Matthew Marshal, Jonathan Tanner, Joanne Tanner, Sharon Astill, Bo Nowicki, Clare Cunningham, Tasmin Millns, Richard Millns, Helen Smalley, Ewan Wane, Zoe Tanner, John England, Isabella Riley, Catriona Buckley, Louis Astill, Madeleine Millns, Madeleine Horrigan, and Sonny Chapman.

Junior parkrun wouldn't happen without the efforts of our amazing volunteers, please do come and help out, it is loads of fun and none of the roles are difficult.

Thank you for coming to Gedling juniors to run, jog, walk or volunteer, see you next week when Sarah is back in the run director’s hi-vis.

Enjoy your week!