Well done to all the hardy runners today that endured the hail, sleet and wind. We welcomed a few representatives from Motherwell AC, Portobello RC, Livingston AC, Lothian RC, Perth Road Runners, Penicuik Harriers & jogscotland. While the conditions were challenging, Mahlen Fox, Stewart Smith & Christine Jackson managed personal bests. Martin Sloan from Bathgate Amateur Swimming Club came along with a few runners and hopefully we'll see more of their members next week at our Santa Run.

As always, we thank our volunteers who give up their Saturday mornings to help out with our volunteering. Here we see Frances and Eileen who are always willing to lend a hand

We are gifting non-perishable food and treats to North Lanarkshire and West Lothian food banks so if you are able, any donations towards this will be greatly appreciated

TINNED MEAT (COLD)TINNED POTATOES
CURRY SAUCE (JARS)
PASTA SAUCES (JARS)
TINNED SPONGE
TINNED TOMATOES
TINNED VEGETABLES
BREAKFAST CEREALS
NOODLES
TINNED RICE PUDDING
TINNED CUSTARD
DILUTING JUICE (1L)
MILK (UHT)
DRINKING CHOCOLATE
INSTANT COFFEE (JARS)
INSTANT MASHED POTATO
DRY RICE
TINNED TUNA
TINNED FRUIT
BISCUITS
SWEET AND SAVOURY BISCUITS
CUP-A-SOUP
SWEETS

Come and join us on 21st December 2019 for our first Santa Run.
Free, festive and 5k!
Come dressed as Santa, anything Christmassy or festive.

Go on.....you know you want to !

This week 33 people ran, jogged and walked the course, of whom 11 were first timers and 3 recorded new Personal Bests. Representatives of 8 different clubs took part.

The event was made possible by 17 volunteers:

Gary FRATER • Karen KILPATRICK • Emily KILPATRICK • Karen Lyn DICKSON • Stuart HURCOMB • Rob DIXON • Michael DAVIDSON • Gillian STAPLEY • Andrew MCKENNA • Martin SLOAN • Delia LEDDY • Val LEES • Laura ROSS • Niccy ANGUS • Eileen PATERSON • Frances BROGAN • Kate SANDERS

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

The male record is held by Ross MACKENZIE who recorded a time of 16:41 on 8th June 2019 (event number 3).
The female record is held by Lisa MACDONALD who recorded a time of 19:09 on 15th June 2019 (event number 4).
The Age Grade course record is held by Liz CORBETT who recorded 84.57% (27:13) on 22nd June 2019 (event number 5).

Polkemmet Country parkrun started on 25th May 2019. Since then 1,191 participants have completed 2,287 parkruns covering a total distance of 11,435 km, including 430 new Personal Bests. A total of 153 individuals have volunteered 587 times.

Well what can I say about Saturday? It was a comedy of errors on my part. Thank goodness for a great team and the simplicity of parkrun. I slept in. Had to print documents for the event - printer wouldn't work. Arrived late. Had to go back to the car THREE times cause I forgot stuff. In a daze and no idea that Kirsty had already done the first timers briefing. Was just thinking, "I'd better get in gear and ask Kirsty to do the first timers briefing," when she came up and said she did it and gave me a note that we had visitors from Edinburgh and Stirling. So a big shout out to the visitors and the other first timers who hopefully will be back soon. And thanks Kirsty. Kirsty regularly does the first timers briefing before going for her run. Saturday was extra special because it was her 100th parkrun and we were so happy that she chose to be with us to reach that fantastic milestone. Well done Kirsty. The errors continued after the event when I couldn't find the barcode scanner. I had Gary and Rob go and check their cars and the park while I sat in the heat of the cafe only to discover that it was in my pocket all along! What a day! What a team! Our 28th event was a success, despite a sleepy Run Director.     Another big shout out to Gillian and Michael. Gillian and Michael are regular volunteers and you will probably have seen them out on the course or at the finish area helping out. On Saturday then were tail walkers for the first time. Well done Gillian and Michael, we really appreciate everything that you do for us. You have kindly started bringing along items for our foodbank collection. We will be collecting over the next few weeks so keep it coming. Enjoy the rest of your week. Hope I see you on Saturday. Remember Pollkemmet Country parkrun comes to you because of our wonderful volunteers. It is much easier and less stressful if we have full rotas a few weeks in advance to if you can help up then email polkemmetcountry@parkrun.com to let us know. JK - Run Director Event 28 Polkemmet Country parkrun Event number 28 7th December 2019 This week 48 people ran, jogged and walked the course, of whom 16 were first timers and 8 recorded new Personal Bests. Representatives of 10 different clubs took part. The event was made possible by 20 volunteers: Gary FRATER • Karen KILPATRICK • Emily KILPATRICK • Graeme LAWSON • Beverley DODGSON • Stuart HURCOMB • Fraser LAWSON • Rob DIXON • Michael DAVIDSON • Gillian STAPLEY • Georgia THORNE • Charlotte SCHOFIELD • Alan STEWART • Delia LEDDY • Kirsty SCOTT • Lorraine CUSHWAY • Laura ROSS • David MACDONALD • Niccy ANGUS • Kate SANDERS Today's full results and a complete event history can be found on the Polkemmet Country parkrun Results Page. The male record is held by Ross MACKENZIE who recorded a time of 16:41 on 8th June 2019 (event number 3). The female record is held by Lisa MACDONALD who recorded a time of 19:09 on 15th June 2019 (event number 4). The Age Grade course record is held by Liz CORBETT who recorded 84.57% (27:13) on 22nd June 2019 (event number 5). Polkemmet Country parkrun started on 25th May 2019. Since then 1,180 participants have completed 2,254 parkruns covering a total distance of 11,270 km, including 427 new Personal Bests. A total of 152 individuals have volunteered 570 times.

It was a lovely crisp morning for our special St Andrews Day event at Polkemmet Country Park.  Thanks to everyone who came along to help celebrate our national day. It was good to see a fair amount of tartan and see you jimmy hats

Thanks also to David Main-Reade for his brilliant homebaking at the end - we hope you all enjoyed this and the refreshments.

This week 58 people ran, jogged and walked the course, of whom 18 were first timers and 8 recorded new Personal Bests. Representatives of 11 different clubs took part.

Our Tartan Heroes this week were -

Gary FRATER • Emily KILPATRICK • Siobhan SELLAR • Helen MCDOWELL • Mary LEES • David MAIN-READE • Fraser LAWSON • Rob DIXON • Ali MCDONALD • Billy WAUGH • Alan STEWART • Delia LEDDY • Kirsty SCOTT • Katie ROY • Eileen PATERSON • Jane ROBISON • Frances BROGAN

Be a Hero!

parkrun could not function without a willing band of volunteers - if you fancy helping out one week, then you simply need to drop us an email to polkemmetcountry@parkrun.com  Here is how our roster looks for the following weeks -

https://www.parkrun.org.uk/polkemmetcountry/futureroster/

Christmas Day and New Years Day

We will be holding additional parkruns over the festive period, both of these will start at the usual time of 09:30am

Food Bank Collection

On the run up to Christmas, we are gifting non-perishable food and treats to North Lanarkshire and West Lothian food banks so if you are able, any donations towards this will be greatly appreciated. There will be a box at the finish area this week, so please feel free to drop any donations into this. Thanks

Photos

Thanks to Billy Waugh for taking some pictures at this event, you can find the link to these here -

https://www.flickr.com/photos/183919532@N05/49147856861/in/pool-polkemmetcountry-parkrun/?fbclid=IwAR3FmjfTFjOCmE5WwnpZhrZJ9zqmQzLz_eEuMAjSlcy6OrXEZInaBC4RCU0

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

Course Records

The male record is held by Ross MACKENZIE who recorded a time of 16:41 on 8th June 2019 (event number 3).

The female record is held by Lisa MACDONALD who recorded a time of 19:09 on 15th June 2019 (event number 4).

The Age Grade course record is held by Liz CORBETT who recorded 84.57% (27:13) on 22nd June 2019 (event number 5).

Event History

Polkemmet Country parkrun started on 25th May 2019. Since then 1,164 participants have completed 2,206 parkruns covering a total distance of 11,030 km, including 419 new Personal Bests. A total of 150 individuals have volunteered 550 time

I want to begin by thanking the 20 volunteers that got up this cold Saturday morning to make this event happen. The 20 High Viz Heros gave up their time and own run to make Polkemmet Country parkrun the best it can be and as Run Director I am very grateful for your help and support.
It was a cold and frosty morning at Polkemmet but that didn’t stop the 58 runners, joggers and walkers who participated. The pre course set up this morning was done in record time by Gary, Laura(RD) and Rob and there was even time for a cuppa and a chat.
It was great to see lots of new faces and as Run Director having parkrun newbies is exciting. A huge well done to Doreen from Linlithgow and Kev from Blackburn who chose Polkemmet as their chosen first time parkrun course. They both done amazing.
Luca Thomson completed his 10th parkrun this morning achieving a new personal best now he is 11 and can beat his Mum. Congratulations Luca your Mum is going to have to run faster to beat you now!
There were 16 new PB’s today and I think my Run Directors briefing helped when i mentioned its a cold morning so run faster may have cheered you on.
Ho Ho Ho Finally I would like to mention that we will be running Christmas and New year at our usual time of 9.30am. We will be collecting items of food for West Lothian Foodbank and North Lanarkshire Foodbank spreading a little cheer. If you could please donate any items of non perishable food please bring them along any Saturday from now till Christmas. Thanks for your continued support.

We are very grateful to the volunteers who made this event happen:
Niccy ANGUS, Frances BROGAN, Michael DAVIDSON, Rob DIXON, Kev DODD, Beverley DODGSON, Gary FRATER, Stuart HURCOMB, Emily KILPATRICK, Karen KILPATRICK, Fraser LAWSON, Eileen PATERSON, Ian ROSS, Laura ROSS, Billie ROSS, Katie ROY, Kate SANDERS, Kirsty SCOTT, Gillian STAPLEY, Robin THORNE

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

The male record is held by Ross MACKENZIE who recorded a time of 16:41 on 8th June 2019 (event number 3).
The female record is held by Lisa MACDONALD who recorded a time of 19:09 on 15th June 2019 (event number 4).
The Age Grade course record is held by Liz CORBETT who recorded 84.57% (27:13) on 22nd June 2019 (event number 5).

Polkemmet Country parkrun started on 25th May 2019. Since then 1,113 participants have completed 2,036 parkruns covering a total distance of 10,180 km, including 385 new Personal Bests. A total of 139 individuals have volunteered 492 times.

‘Polkemmet Country parkrun Event 24 Run Report’ or ‘Winter is coming!’

After it started in May, I really wanted to visit Polkemmet Country parkrun! I’d done a bit of a ‘recce’ of getting to the carpark on the way back from a wee break for the EMF with family. I’d had a previous attempt at getting there in late June, to the point of being in running gear ready to leave the house only to be called to work urgently! Then there had been the work involved in training up as a volunteer and launching our own ‘Country’ parkrun. Finally a weekend came up when the roster was healthy and my co-ED at Drumpellier said I should take the time to tour, and it was ‘on’.

However a fairly busy weekend lay ahead and I couldn’t take the (good) car - so a quick bit of route planning and it seemed a train journey was just about feasible assuming the other car held out (its next journey should really be to the scrapheap) to take me to the station at Coatbridge, and if someone would give me a lift from Armadale at the other.

Fortunately I got a nice response on the Facebook from JK offering to take me since she was coming from that direction!

So Saturday morning saw me on what felt like a proper parkrun adventure! Got to the station ok and got my ticket, crossed to the eastbound platform and I was off through a frosty landscape - in multiple layers and non-matching running socks! JK and Emily picked me up from the station and we headed for Polkemmet. Love the way that we can make new friends in the parkrun family!

We got there and I met some of the other core team - with some ‘vigorous’ discussion on issues around today’s society! (thanks Gary!) - and met today’s RD, Fraser.

We stood around trying to keep warm in the baltic temperatures, I got a few photos of the team assembling, and some selfies (with the static steam engine on display, and of course the pop-up banner). Soon it was time for an excellent First Timers’ Briefing (by Kirsty) at which we discovered a few were brand new to parkrun that day (what a cold one for your first! - in fact 9 were brand new that morning) and then we assembled round the corner at the start line. By this point I had decided that not only 2 layers of apricot would do me for the run but also kept my hoodie on, simply leaving my fleecy coat on the wall.

The main run briefing covered all the important ground and highlighted a few running for Poppy Scotland, and then we were off! I found the initial downhill fun, and possibly took it a bit too fast in places, though fortunately I didn’t find any icy parts to the trail! It seems that by the time I was onto the first and shorter ‘out and back’ section towards ‘Teletubby Corner’ I was easing off a little - just as well given the slight incline after the first bridge, that continued onto the longer second out and back down beside the golf course. There I saw JK again at the turn, and then it was back before another hill that seemed more challenging, towards the finish area. As the FT Brief noted - there was a nice ‘springboard’ off the second wooden bridge before that wee uphill - and then of course we had a right turn before doing it all again.

By this point I found that the 56 runners were a little bit more broadly spaced out (indeed the eventual first finisher John Gladwin would have been close to the finish by now, while one of our two Tail Walkers Sheila Baxter and Helen McDowell expressed a little surprise later on at being passed so soon) - this meant that I had times of being, if not completely by myself, then certainly making sure that the next runner ahead of me wasn’t out of sight for too long. I appreciated the ‘out and backs’ a little more on the second lap for seeing runners, as well as the various marshals, venturing a few high-fives with some of the runners on the golf course section, and exchanging smiles if not words with a few as well.

The music that had been on the go at the end of lap 1 was no longer working I think but the cheers of Emily and the other finish area volunteers kept me going - I always think I should take it easy the first time I run a course, for a straightforward PB the next time but think I put in a decent effort, though I might possibly have started a ‘surge’ a little sooner!

Having had my barcode scanned, it turns out I finished 29th in 32:04, setting my PB to be beaten on another occasion, while 10 finishers achieved new PBs - 9 females (3 Juniors and 6 VWs) and the second finisher Michael Connelly. Third male was Ross Lorimer, while the first three ladies were Raechel McCallum (on a pleasing ‘111’ parkruns), Shirley-Anne Weir, and Heather Orr.

Josie Coull was joining the ’50 Club’ (in 49th position!) which may have been the only ‘official’ running milestone but we all have our own ‘markers’ and signposts on the way and I’m sure many found it significant for different reasons. Steven Knox came 7th on his 7th parkrun, and Kieran McGonagle got a nice time of 27:27. On the other hand, 3 participants didn’t scan a barcode in positions 4, 22 and 44 - always personal choice but if you want to take part, register beforehand, bring a printed copy of your barcode, and always check before you leave the house - have I got my barcode?! #dfyb

I tried to thank or high-five on the way round but may have missed a few - so thanks to all the volunteers for being out, setting up or performing other roles on that cold morning: Niccy ANGUS, Sheila BAXTER, Frances BROGAN, Shirley CULL, Michael DAVIDSON, Rob DIXON, Gary FRATER, Karen KILPATRICK, Emily KILPATRICK, Fraser LAWSON, Helen MCDOWELL, Eileen PATERSON, Laura ROSS, Kirsty SCOTT, Gillian STAPLEY, Roy STEVENSON, Georgia THORNE.

I know from our own event too how great our volunteers are and you could add to their number! All roles are straightforward and easy to pick up - the team will be glad to hear from you!

Thanks for the visit which I really enjoyed - not to mention the lovely cafe afterwards which serves a good and very reasonable breakfast roll and cup of tea - I also got a doughnut to take away afterwards. And thanks again to JK & Emily for trusting that I wasn’t a dodgy character and giving me a lift back to the station too! Hope to visit again sometime - and maybe see you at Drumpellier Country parkrun too sometime!

Dave Slater

The second run of November, our 24th at Polkemmet was a frosty one, with some low temperatures enticing both our runners and volunteers into wrapping up!

Following on from last week, our frequent flyer volunteers Gillian and Michael were repping there 25 Club shirts proudly!

With the weekend being of remembrance across the world, we are proud to say that our event was chosen by some of our regular runners; Kirsty, Katie and Oliver as the location of their Poppy Run on behalf of the Royal British Legion

The Run Director this week was Fraser Lawson who was was directing his first event, after being a regular volunteer and core team member for a number of months.

Every week we rely on our volunteers to ensure the safety and smooth running of the event and offer full instruction & support for the role. If you want to help as a volunteer then have a look at our future volunteer roster

This week 56 people ran, jogged and walked the course, of whom 22 were first timers and 10 recorded new Personal Bests. Representatives of 10 different clubs took part.

The event was made possible by 17 volunteers:

Gary FRATER • Karen KILPATRICK • Emily KILPATRICK • Helen MCDOWELL • Fraser LAWSON • Rob DIXON • Michael DAVIDSON • Gillian STAPLEY • Georgia THORNE • Sheila BAXTER • Roy STEVENSON • Kirsty SCOTT • Shirley CULL • Laura ROSS • Niccy ANGUS • Eileen PATERSON • Frances BROGAN

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

The male record is held by Ross MACKENZIE who recorded a time of 16:41 on 8th June 2019 (event number 3).
The female record is held by Lisa MACDONALD who recorded a time of 19:09 on 15th June 2019 (event number 4).
The Age Grade course record is held by Liz CORBETT who recorded 84.57% (27:13) on 22nd June 2019 (event number 5).

Polkemmet Country parkrun started on 25th May 2019. Since then 1,113 participants have completed 2,036 parkruns covering a total distance of 10,180 km, including 385 new Personal Bests. A total of 139 individuals have volunteered 492 times.

Now that we are in November, we are delighted to announce that we intend to hold two additional festive parkruns on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day - these will both start at the usual time of 09:30am. Watch out for more details.

Our event co-director Karen Kilpatrick celebrated her birthday yesterday and we all appreciated her commitment at our event while nursing a recent injury.

One of our regular volunteers Gillian Stapely has informed us that she’s joined the Volunteer Club on 25 different occasions. Gillian along with her son, Michael is often is seen down on the course at the ‘TellyTubby’ horn cheering everyone on. Michael himself has recently joined the club and an inspiration to us.

Run Director this week was Rob Dixon who’s been a regular volunteer and core team member from our inaugural back in May. Every week we rely on our volunteers to ensure the safety and smooth running of the event and offer full instruction & support for the role. If you want to help as a volunteer then have a look at our future volunteer roster

This week 35 people ran, jogged and walked the course, of whom 8 were first timers and 6 recorded new Personal Bests. Representatives of 4 different clubs took part.
The event was made possible by 18 volunteers:

Yvonne GENTLES • Gary FRATER • Alastair SCOTT • Karen KILPATRICK • Emily KILPATRICK • Stuart HURCOMB • Rob DIXON • Michael DAVIDSON • Gillian STAPLEY • Rebecca RYLOTT • Delia LEDDY • Kirsty SCOTT • Katie ROY • Laura ROSS • Kristy WILKINS • Niccy ANGUS • Eileen PATERSON • Jane ROBISON
Today's full results and a complete event history can be found on Polkemmet Country parkrun results page

The male record is held by Ross MACKENZIE who recorded a time of 16:41 on 8th June 2019 (event number 3).
The female record is held by Lisa MACDONALD who recorded a time of 19:09 on 15th June 2019 (event number 4).
The Age Grade course record is held by Liz CORBETT who recorded 84.57% (27:13) on 22nd June 2019 (event number 5).
Polkemmet Country parkrun started on 25th May 2019. Since then 1,091 participants have completed 1,980 parkruns covering a total distance of 9,900 km, including 375 new Personal Bests. A total of 138 individuals have volunteered 475 times.

We had a halloween theme this week. Hopefully everyone who dressed up got a prize. Sorry if you didn't.

It was lovely to get a wee visit from Jasper before the event. He came all dressed up in his batdog costume. He couldn't stay for the event because he had to go fight the baddogs in Gotham city but he wanted to make sure he said hello to us beforehand. 

There's lots more photos to be seen in our Flickr group.

At the finish

Just a wee reminder to some and maybe new information to others...

1. Only cross the finish line if you have completed 5k
2. Only cross the finish line ONCE
3. Keep moving after crossing the finish line till you get to the end of the funnel
4. Accept a token from the volunteer at the end of the funnel
5. 1. If you want to get a time, take the token and your barcode to the scanning volunteers. Don't go home with the token
   2. If you don't want a time, take the token to the scanning volunteers or put it in the token bin at the end of the funnel. Don't go home with the token

We are all volunteers and the event can only be held if there are enough volunteers to make the event safe. Here is our future rota. If you would like to, please email polkemmetcountry@parkrun.com and let us know when you can help.

See you next week. JK

This week 41 people ran, jogged and walked the course, of whom 10 were first timers and 10 recorded new Personal Bests. Representatives of 7 different clubs took part. The event was made possible by 19 volunteers: Gary FRATER • Karen KILPATRICK • Emily KILPATRICK • Helen MCDOWELL • Eileen Lily ANDERSON • Rob DIXON • Michael DAVIDSON • Gillian STAPLEY • Georgia THORNE • Billy WAUGH • Alan STEWART • Delia LEDDY • Eileen STEWART • Matthew STEWART • Emma STEWART • Lorraine CUSHWAY • Niccy ANGUS • Eileen PATERSON • Ruth THOMPSON Today's full results and a complete event history can be found on the Polkemmet Country parkrun Results Page. The male record is held by Ross MACKENZIE who recorded a time of 16:41 on 8th June 2019 (event number 3). The female record is held by Lisa MACDONALD who recorded a time of 19:09 on 15th June 2019 (event number 4). The Age Grade course record is held by Liz CORBETT who recorded 84.57% (27:13) on 22nd June 2019 (event number 5). Polkemmet Country parkrun started on 25th May 2019. Since then 1,083 participants have completed 1,945 parkruns covering a total distance of 9,725 km, including 369 new Personal Bests. A total of 137 individuals have volunteered 457 times.