It's not easy to be a Run Director for an event that is cancelled. At least this year it's not a last minute decision based on icy conditions. During these strange times I still felt I should attempt to be at Pomphrey Hill playing fields and attempt to walk a lap. I donned my welly boots and headed round the course. With the rain overnight, the course which was already muddy seemed to be particularly slick causing Deb Fry to comment " I did my best ever Bambi impression today going along the top. Next week definitely trail shoes!! "
Lots of folks were running around the course starting and finishing at various points, all aiming for at least a 5k though very few thought they could achieve a PB in such conditions. As Simon Hailwood said, "It was a little soft under foot... The top stretch was fantastically slippery just to add to the experience. Fair play to those who were still running up Mr Hill"
(not)parkrun results for this week include 34 runners completing 81 different (not)parkruns. Congratulations go to Richard Breakspear and Mike Messenger for their PBs this week. Welcome to (not)parkrun Debra Parsons - hope you enjoyed your run on Saturday. A complimentary (non)Milestone (non)t-shirt for Martyn Poole who this week completed his 50th (not)parkrun.
As I wandered around I asked those who were about to run or who had finished running the question of the day "If you could run anywhere in the world, where would it be and how far?" Some needed time to think on such an idea and for others it was a quick response:
Barcelona 10km - Steve Dunn
Anywhere flat, a seafront promenade such as Blackpool - Robin Fry
If not the Bahamas the bridge between Denmark and Sweden, with the parkruns on either side of course - Barbara Sullivan
Bristol 10k - Faye Pollinger
Himalayan Desert Marathon - Becky Cox
10k, maybe as a 5k out and back on the Isle of Skye with a whiskey waiting at the end - Charlotte Fry
I was going to do the Newport marathon but it would be great to do London - Michael Tout
With any distance up for grabs though, it would have to be a marathon for me - it should also have a hill or two, so I'll pick the Inca Trail Marathon (so many to choose from though!). - Adrian Grimshaw
Run up stairs in an all-inclusive hotel in St Lucia aka to the bar and back - Colin Foster
5k in Mauritius - Daz
Conti Thunder run with team mates or better yet, Mont Blanc - Matt Bessell
New York Marathon - Tony Worgan
10k at Cape Tribulation, Australia - Jason Robinson
With a long history of running in a variety of places and distances it was a difficult choice. With the distance so far eluding him, it would have to be 100 miles along the North Downs "I miss the trees" - Rich Harris
An ultra run in the Fjords of Norway - Deb Fry
10 miles round Palm Beach, do it in a bikini and let my belly wobble! - Anne Watkins
I really want to do Disney run, I did have plans for it last year however, you know. Anyway I would love to do the one in Florida for 10k getting photos at each opportunity.- Martyn Poole
Half Marathon of the Run Disney challenge for a number of reasons a)you get to see lots of characters b) you see all 4 parks c) you can dress up because it's not as far as the marathon and d) it finishes around 8.30am so it's not too hot and then you're in the park for the day - Anne Burge
10k, A beach in Spain - Jack Foster
A coastal run from Penzance to St Michaels Mount - Gary Woodruff
Run across Sydney Harbour bridge - Jane Robinson
I'd like to run/walk one Ultra (bad knee permitting), as for the where question...a barefoot run on a tropical beach, splashing through the water's edge. - Charissa Scott
'Cape Town’s most prestigious race, the Two Oceans Marathon Ultra, takes athletes on a spectacular course around the Cape Peninsula. It is often voted the most breath-taking course in the world.' - William Lee
The Mont St Michel marathon weekend with Catalina Lee and Yvonne running in the half marathon and William Lee in the marathon. We still have vouchers for our race entries, ferry crossing and accommodation so hope we will be able to do that at some point. - Catalina Lee
As for me, I would pick the promenade deck of any ship cruising around the world 5k any day we're not in port - Meryl Grimshaw
Back from dreamland, I think we can all agree that right now we would settle for 5km, Saturday morning at Pomphrey Hill Playing Fields with friends. Until then keep dreaming but keep safe.
Until next time,
Meryl Grimshaw
Run Director