What a day, today is my 52^nd birthday, 48^th park run, and what are my plans ask my family & friends ?  yes I am doing my park run … celebrating International Women’s Day,  it was good see so many people accessing the website to find out purple was the theme ,which meant we had  a wonderful wave of purple, I did invite my children to join me but no, they are not quite as active as me !!!

After the last few weekends of rain and storms, this week the  weather was good to us, cold but dry.

594 runners joined together  to make this another popular run, with visitors from Fareham, Eastleigh, Tunbridge Wells and Woking.

It was a good run today, I always try my hardest, some weeks are easier than others and today was one of them, it was a good way of starting my birthday celebrations, with everyone here so friendly, It was good to hear my birthday announced at the pre-race briefing, along those who were running their 50^th 100^th 200^th and first ever run.

We always thank the volunteers, but it is not just a cursory thankyou it is a real heart felt thank you, without them we could not have this experience each and every week, I have volunteered and the good thing is there are volunteer roles which you can do and still run, and roles where if you are unable to run you still get to be part of this run community.

This week I would to thank one particular volunteer, the 40 mins pacer Nigel, he gave me great support and encouragement helping me to get under 40 mins this week.

We also had the Portsmouth News photographer join us who took a photo of my self and my brother Ian Harrison, a great bonus for my birthday. He said photos will be in the paper either Monday or Wednesday, but they will be uploaded on their website www.portsmoutheveningnews.co.uk

Kathryn Harrison

Lee-on-the-Solent parkrun #244 – 18/01/2020
It always intrigues me what makes us parkrunners take the plunge for the first time, and what makes some of us return again and again whilst others drift away. I can’t remember what made my daughter first give parkrun a go around 18 months ago, but I thought we were on to something when she did 3 weeks back-to-back. Then she stopped.
I’d occasionally ask over the following months if she’d like to join us again, but was always met with a polite “no thanks Dad!”. Roll forward to two weeks ago, when a friend out-of-the-blue asked her if she’d like to do parkrun last weekend. “Sure” was the instant reply. Lesson learnt about getting the right person to ask! After that comeback, she asked if we could follow up with Lee-on-the-Solent parkrun this weekend where we are occasional visitors.
We rocked up this morning to absolutely glorious conditions – sun, very cold, no wind – to what must be one of the larger turnouts Lee-on-the-Solent has seen. We were always somewhere near the middle of the 707 runners and somehow the relatively tight course worked despite the numbers.
So much credit has to go the well organised and numerous volunteers who absolutely nailed every role, including three hardy souls who turned up an hour early with brooms to sweep the path clear of shingle! We were also lucky to have Dianne Lawrence signing for the RD’s intro, making one of society’s most inclusive activities now even more so.
Hats off to everyone who ran or walked today, with PBs throughout the field. Honours for the quickest times were Richard Bateman (17:10), Rob Greenwood (17:23), Andy Simpson (17:43); and Katy Bradley (21:31), Amy Smalley (21:46), Matilda Charles (22:35). And particular congratulations to this week’s milestone achievers – Sue Rourke (100), Emily Murphy (100), Stuart Crisp (100) and Tony Ryan (50).
As for my daughter, she ran the whole way for the first time, picked up a 3m 20s PB, and was a staggering 20 minutes quicker than her chatty run/walk with her friend last week! Fingers crossed she’ll be back for more, as I hope will the 19 folk who completed their first ever parkrun today. The success story we’re all part of just keeps growing!
Mike Bridgeman

Following last weekends double disappointment, parkrun number 232 finally took place this morning under the Run Directorship of Amelie Wallace.
Today, we welcomed tourists from Mile End, Bakewell and Wrexham as well as 12 first timers. Four runners were completing their 50th parkruns along with Chris Arkell who was running his 100th. There was also a belated 10th birthday shout out to Frank Shepherd who was running his 10th ( he did want to do it before his birthday but last weeks cancellation put paid to that). They were among the 410 runners/joggers/walkers who lined up at the start in near perfect weather conditions.
The first male to finish today was Aaron Burgess and the first female was Katy Bradley who finished 45th in a personal best time of 21:53. As well as Katy, there were 67 other participants who achieved PB’s today. Well done to you all.
Finally, a big thank you to Maggie and all her hi viz heroes who all looked resplendent in the sunshine this morning. Don’t forget to view the future roster if you would like to volunteer at a future event.

Alan Fleckney

In June 2016 I completed my first parkrun at Lee-on-the-Solent after seeing the “caution runners “ sign at The Shack the previous week. I asked the Marshall what was going on and he told me all about parkrun. I registered and turned up the following week.
Today, I ran my 150th parkrun and my 150th at Lee In conditions one could only describe as challenging. Not only did we have the wind to contend with, there were also some scarily dressed individuals, including a skeleton running on his own as he had no body to run with. They were among the 342 runners/joggers/walkers who chose to take to the prom in preference to watching England in the Rugby World Cup Semi Final. [it .will be interesting to see how many turn up next week]

We were joined on the start line by tourists from as far away as Ripon and Kilmarnock and 28 parkrun first timers. Welcome to the family and hope to see you back soon. There were also 5 people who reached their 50th milestone. Congratulations to you all.
With pacers every two minutes a PB might have been on many people’s agenda but the stiff easterly quickly changed that, although 19 people did manage a personal best in those conditions and well done to them. I had planned to finish between the 27/29 pacer but ended up nearer the 31.

Biggest thanks must go to all the volunteers who, like today, stand out in all weathers to put this on for us. As one who has been soaked to the skin on marshalling duty, it can sometimes seem a thankless task so please thank them as they encourage you.
First male home today was james Teuten and the first female was Amy Smalley. But it is at the back of the pack where the real winners are to be found. Many, like the lady I run/walk paced to a PB last week have faced or are still facing personal life changing challenges and for them just getting to the start is a big achievement in their journey.
Finally, on a personal note, I would like to thank all the runners who knowingly or unknowingly have helped me negotiate the course for my 150 runs. As someone who is registered blind your help is invaluable especially negotiating the bollards and gravel. If any of you wonder why I wear my hooped top every week it is so my wife can find me at the finish. Also if you talk to me and you think I’ve ignored you it’s just that I haven’t seen you so please don’t feel offended.
I look forward to running with you all as I start my journey to 200.

Alan Fleckney

Lee-on-the-Solent parkrun – we loved you! The course is an out and back first towards Browndown and Lee-on-Solent Sailing Club, to a turn-around point, and then back, past the start, and out towards The Shack, crossing the Daedalus Slipway, to the second turn-around point, and then back again, along the prom to the finish line, which is near the start. We found it very easy to get to from Portsmouth – catching the ferry to Gosport, and then the X5 bus to Lee, which stopped very close to
the start of the run.
First and foremost, a big thank you to all of the hi-viz heroes – without whom the event would not have taken place.

So thanks to Maggie ATKINSON, Ray BARCLAY, Fran BENNETT, Mary
BRADDOCK, Dan BRADDOCK, Kara BURGESS, Cheryl BURGESS, Alan FLECKNEY, Jon FLYNN, Mia-
Rose GANT, Christine GANT, Nigel GIBBENS, Dee GREIG-DUNN, Karen HADLEY, Elizabeth
LLEWELLYN, Gavin LLEWELLYN, Graham MEPHAM, Lucy MORGAN, Cate MULLEN, Cal ODDY, Philip
OMAR, Gilly OSTLER, Michelle PRINCE, Karl PRINCE,  Honor READER , Barbara ROBERTSON, Annette
ROBERTSON, Helen ROWE, Christine RUSS, Sally SADLER, Dominic SHEPHERD, Deirdre
SIMONS, Peter STEWARD, Paul THOMPSON, Jacqui TORRENS, Lee TORRENS, Amelie
WALLACE, Cathy WEBB, Brian WOODHALL
It was a little bit windy (some may say bracing) being on the seafront, but otherwise it was a perfect day for it, dry and bright. Just right for blowing the cobwebs away. Cal and I had volunteered to write the run report, as we were touring, and some of the other volunteers were also tourists. There were tourists from Aylesbury, Chippenham, Coventry, Hemel Hempstead, Hull, London, Milton Keynes, Shrewsbury, Telford, Twickenham and Watford – many, like us, were down for the Great South Run the following day.
362 people ran, jogged, walked, pushed pushchairs, or were pulled along by dogs. First man home was Rob Arkell from Stubbington Green Runners with a time of 18:01, with an Age Grade of 72.80%, and in second place, the first lady was Rebecca Lord, also from Stubbington Green Runners with a new PB time of 18:08, with an Age Grade of 81.62%. Fantastic running both.
36 runners achieved a PB this week – well done to Rebecca LORD, Joe BARRETT, Harrison HOLLAND, Samuel WAIN, Kevin BUSCH, Joshua GRIMBLEY, Katy BRADLEY, Samuel JOHN, Joe FISHER, Mark SMITH, Thomas WILLIAMS, Trevor SMITH, Joseph GIBBS, Christopher HARRISON, Stephen ANDREWS, Andy METCALF, Emma HOWE, Edward CHAMPION, John ELSE, Sam PIERCE, Daniel HOTCHIN, Shelley STEWART, Phillip BERRY, Joanne CAIRNS, Frank SHEPHERD, Wayne POTTLE, Fiona OLDFIELD, Rebecca MORGAN, Jeni GRIFFITH, Lisa BRETT, Theresa COURTNEY, Barry COURTNEY, Sian SNOOK, Pauline CRISP, Lyn SAMLER, Wendy EDNEY, and Tracy LLOYD.
There was one milestone – Claire PEAL was running her 50 th parkrun – well done to Claire.
29 different Running Clubs were represented from across the country.
There were 14 very First Timers – welcome to the parkrun family to Sarah ACKLAND, Amets
ECHEGUREN-HARDMAN, Joshua BAKER, Claire ROBERTS, Isaac BOURNE, Zoe SINGFIELD, Jacob THOMAS, Danny PLEWS, Finley HARRIS, Ben HARRIS, Ethan VILLIGER, Dawn GUNNELL, Samuel GUNNELL, and Kian WARNER.

Welcome back for their second parkrun to Robert OLDFIELD, John BATTEN, Joshua BATTEN and Teresa HALLUM. We hope you will enjoy being part of this family as
much as the rest of us do.
I would like to say a personal thank you to Tina BLACKBURN, of Solent Running Sisters, for keeping me company for the second half of the run. It was lovely chatting to you about parkrun tourism and other running events.

The volunteers were super friendly, as were the other runners.
Cal and I finished off by having a paddle in the sea (we feel we have to do this, no matter what the weather is like, as we live just about as far away from the sea as you can get). Then we made our way to Leon’s Café, which we had passed on the second leg of the run, for a hot drink (discount available to park runners) and a chat to some of the other park runners and volunteers.

Cal Oddy and Helen Rowe (aka The Golden Girls).

Great job to everyone who did parkrun this morning. It was hot, with not much wind - as even the birds realised, so a big round of applause to the 32 people who got a PB today (which includes me).

THANK YOU TO THE VOLUNTEERS … GOOD WORK EVERYONE.

My home parkrun is Woodley, that I run with my Dad, but I was visiting so I came to Lee-on-the-Solent – one of 11 park runs I‘ve done. Lee-on-Solent parkrun has changed a bit since I last came, in 2017.

Lee-on-the-Solent has a busy start but everyone spaced out quickly for space to run – and I took to the beach a bit at the start. I have been to some parkruns with even busier starts (like Dinton, which has narrow woods). Lee-on-the-Solent also has two different surfaces, a little shingle but mostly tarmac, so a pretty easy run surface (Prospect is almost all grass so slow). I love it when people cheer me on because it is so encouraging and will always gives you a slight sprint for the end you can always find a bit more energy! That’s why I almost always wear my vest with my name on – thanks to everyone who gave me a shout. Also dogs do parkruns and I LOVE dogs. It is good for them to get used to big crowds and it gives them lots of exercise which is so good for them too.

If it is hot you can go in the sea to cool off, you could even go for a swim! But it could be cold in there. If you forgot your barcode you will not receive a time.

I started running by doing kids parkruns 3 years ago, I found a talent and something I really enjoy. After a few months of running I’d started to do adult parkruns too and I’ve run 70 now, and I’ve recently joined an athletics club to improve even more. Do you have children? You can take them to junior parkrun! It is 2km run for kids from 4 years old to 14 years old. I did one on Sunday at Stokes Bay in Gosport and really enjoyed it. Adults can run with your children but don’t go through the finish funnel. Your children/child can’t be last because of the “tail walker”.

Remember your barcode for next week’s run.

Hope you enjoyed parkrun this week

By Katherine Thompson (age 10)

"First things first, I need to apologise for the weather on Saturday as it is all my fault. I hope that a few of you remember a particularly horrendous Lee-on-the-Solent parkrun back in October 2017, October 21 to be precise. The one where we finished next to Elmore car park. You do? Well that was the date on which I ran my 50^th parkrun, so obviously I wasn’t going to get a gloriously cool but wind free day for my 100^th.

So, there we were on Saturday braving winds gusting up to 50 m.p.h. for our Saturday morning fix of parkrun. An utterly mad 338 of us, both runners and brave, brave volunteers (some may have been counted twice) lined up braving the wind, spume and odd bit of seaweed that had been blown onto the path. Even more annoyingly the wind was pretty much directly onto shore so at no point was there to be the blessed relief of a tailwind to help one catch one’s breath.

As to the run, I had originally planned to run my 100^th with my wife, Lynne. She had, once again been in sole charge of wrangling a 4 year old out of the house and into the car first thing on a Saturday morning as I ran to Lee from Wickham as part of my marathon training plan. A friend had volunteered to entertain said child whilst we ran so we had a week without a buggy to push. However, I managed to lose Lynne in the melee of the start and thinking she was ahead of me I pushed on. I did manage a lovely little chat with Alison Williams on the approaches to the sailing club and then Gavin Llewellyn, who was one of a number of runners braving the winds with a buggy (how they stayed on course in that is anyone’s guess). It became apparent after the turn that Lynne was obviously behind me but I had settled into a nice rhythm by then and I had a certain perverse sense of enjoyment of running in the wind and feeling the salt spray hitting me as I ran. I tried to give all the marshals a cheery “thank you” as I ran as I ran past and before I knew it I was at the Shack turning point. Lots of hellos, encouragement and the occasional recognition as the man who was running his 100^th (I was wearing a t-shirt with my name plastered across the chest) and then it was into the funnel – staying in line and keeping on moving down to collect a token.

Even though Saturday’s weather was far from clement we still had an amazing 23 first timers to Lee and an even more remarkable 34 PBs! Alongside myself Jacqueline Healy also ran her 100^th parkrun as well as Philip Dilloway, Gemma Wilton, Alison Lovell and Gail Gibbens running their 50^th parkrun.

Bryan Simpson"

This week’s park run featured a blustery wind along the seafront, making for a run of three parts:  

First came the headlong kilometre into the wind.

Next came the calm, truly before the storm, featuring over a mile of flat seafront running, with the wind behind you in your favour.  A special shout out to Sarah Porter and Clare Mason, both of whom managed to achieve a PB in the less than favourable conditions and happened to be fantastic at cheering me along. 

Finally came the last push directly into the wind, runners desperately trying to yield shelter in each other’s footsteps.

This week was particularly competitive with some incredible age graded scoring.  3 people even scored over 80%, I hate to name names and embarrass people but Trevor Hillier, Margaret Emmett and Maria Millican all achieved an age grading in excess of 80%,  well done.  

A number of milestones were achieved too, with Blue Davies doing his 250th parkrun, Sian and Duane Kelly both doing their 205th parkrun (a big commitment for any duo), Hannah Donnarumma and Michael Woods both achieving the magnificent 100 milestone and 3 new members of the 50 club, Keith Wroblewski, Amanda Snow and Brendon Chaplin. 

We saw lots of cute puppies and dogs running too.  Again, a post-parkrun dip in the sea was had by many, despite the sun teasing us with his presence.  Maybe those of you willing to dive into the sea should turn the wonderful Lee on Solent parkrun into a reverse triathlon?  While a 5K run is more than enough for me, it’s just an idea, one that I’m sure all the keen parkrun dogs could buy into too.  Thank you for having us and I cannot wait to return for another parkrun PB rematch. 

On the week that parkrun received it’s 6millionth registration there were, unfortunately, thunderstorms predicted for Saturday morning but thankfully it turned out to be dry!

Today’s Run Director was Cliff and he had a strong team of 34 volunteers. Thank you to each and everyone of them who were prepared to stand out in thunderstorms so we could have a plod on the prom!

The better-than-predicted weather allowed the front runner, Jordan Winbourne, to gain a new PB. He was first past the line in a rather sprightly 17:02. The first lady over the line, Maria Millican completed the course in 21:40.

1 junior parkrunner completed their 10^th parkrun today! Well Done Eve! 4 people completed their 50^th parkrun today. Well Done Kyle Winbourne (who also got a new PB), Mark Feingold, Sam Spencer and Alex Mercer. Nobody completed their 100^th or 250^th parkrun but, Stuart Nicholson and Di Mattingly both completed their 309^thparkrun! Absolutely incredible.

There were 67 people completing their first parkrun today. Some of those people ran the whole course whilst others jogged or walk. parkrun is all inclusive and we welcome walkers just as much as we do runners.

Today we were lucky enough to have 529 participants and 62 of them managed to gain a new personal best. Well done all! We hope to see lots of you again next week. If for any reason you can not participate but would still like to be involved in parkrun, then please consider volunteering. parkrun is run entirely by volunteers and you will be given training on the day to complete the role you are allocated.

Now, lets hope the weather cools down a touch for next week!

I have been trying to get to the Lee-on-the-Solent parkrun for several weeks now. On one occasion I decided an hour’s drive to the seaside in torrential rain was not a good way to start a weekend. Another time I overslept (majorly) and ended up making a mad dash to my local parkrun at Hogmoor Inclosure instead. As I am trying to make my way round all the parkruns in Hampshire, and as I was also in need of an ‘L’ for my alphabeteer challenge, I was determined to make it there eventually, and now I have – hooray!

We couldn’t have asked for better weather for a seafront parkrun. It was glorious – bright and sunny with a light breeze. I did overhear two fellow parkrunners good naturedly discussing whether it was a ‘light breeze’ or a headwind. I’m in the ‘light breeze’ camp on the basis that my reaction to it was “Ahhhh, that’s nice” not “Arghhh! I seem to be running backwards”!

I always try to commit the things that make each parkrun unique to memory. Whenever I think of Lee-on-the-Solent parkrun, the volunteering team’s ‘chalk writer’ and the elaborate start line he created will definitely be the first thing that comes to mind. A line on the pavement and the word ‘start’ would have done the job but wouldn’t have been nearly as interesting or informative!

At the first-timers briefly on the beach I discovered runners had come from near and far, including from Plymouth, Worcester, Crawley, High Wycombe and Birmingham. Back at the start line it was nice to see some faces I recognised from Hampshire Road Race League (HRRL) races. It was volunteer Jacqui’s first time in the role of Run Director. Before we set off she mentioned that Dave Kitching was doing his 100^th run whilst Maggie was doing her 300^th stint as a volunteer (wow!) Both pieces of news were greeted with a well-deserved round of applause from the 558 parkrunners present. Jacqui also pointed out the pacers which included a walk/run pacer – something else I’ve never seen at a parkrun before, but hope to see happening more.

I positioned myself on the outside of the path, with the sea to my right, and then we were off. As it was crowded, I had to focus on the way ahead but I did still manage an occasional admiring glance at the beautiful seascape.  The field thinned out a bit after the turnaround point and by the time we passed over that beautifully drawn start line for the second time I had settled into my parkrun pace.

As there are benches all along the seafront, friends, family members and other supporters were positioned all along the course. I was wearing my Alton Runners club vest with my name on it – I usually reserve that for races but my other vest was in the wash! As a result lots of spectators shouted ‘well done Fran’ and ‘keep going Fran’ and because of the out and back format, lots of parkrunners did the same. Nothing lifts the spirits quite like a little personalised encouragement so by the time I saw the start line come into view a third time, I was grinning like a Cheshire cat and ready to give it my all on the final stretch past the car park to the finish.

As I made my way through the finish funnel, one of the marshals told me that I looked like I was in pain and should get my trainers off and get in the sea. I always grimace when I sprint finish – hence the pained expression! I took his advice, and I’m very glad I did. Not only was the cold water wonderfully refreshing, but I also got to meet lots of other parkrunners who’d had the same idea - or been talking to the same marshal!

My initial intention was to leave before 10am when parking charges came into play but having spied some interesting looking shops and places to eat, I decided to pop a pound in the metre and take a cooldown walk around the town. By the time I did leave, having run, paddled and explored, I felt like I’d had a ‘proper full-blown seaside adventure’.

I’ll definitely be back – and next time I’m bringing my swimsuit!

by Fran Light