Week 3 of (not) parkrun saw the start of the school holidays for most and a return to typical Scottish summer weather to celebrate. At least the reservoirs will be breathing a sigh of relief along with all those parents who've been homeschooling.

There was also good news for our parkrunning pals in New Zealand who were back to parkrun for the first time on Saturday after lockdown.  It's great to see them all running again but a little bit sad to have a reminder of what we're missing. We'll get there in time though! As part of their return parkruns chose a "locked down" parkrun country to support and Anderson parkrun in Napier (on the East coast of the North Island) chose Scotland.  There's some great videos and photos on their facebook page with more tartan than a tourist shop on the Royal Mile!

This week 37 Porty parkrunners dodged the gale force winds and torrential rain to record their (not) parkrun 5k time.  9 of these were first timers to (not) parkrun so a special welcome to them. From the returnees, 15 recorded a new personal best for (not) parkrun.  Among them were 3 of the 4 members of the Ulferts-Kilpatrick family who sent us this lovely photo from week 16 of their "mum's (not) parkrun", apparently their food bill is shooting up at a proportional rate to the kids! Lockdown training camp also paid off for Elinor Evans and mum Margaret who smashed their sub-40 goal, both recording times well under 39 minutes.....well done ladies!

Saturday remains the most popular day for recording (not) parkrun times with 17 of the 37 runs recorded.  It's the first time i've done mine on a Saturday and I put it off all day due to the dreich weather (and maybe a little too much zoom chat wine on Friday night). Eventually I dragged myself out before dinner and returned to the "village hotel (not) parkrun" which I've not done for a few weeks. I couldn't even tell you how many laps it is as i lose count but using 2 adjacent empty car parks is the best way I've found to do a non-stop run close to home without having to worry about social distancing. Hopefully it's amusing whoever monitors their CCTV too!

The weather looks a bit more favourable for running this week so let's see if we can get a record turn out for (not) Porty parkrun. You can log your 5k time at any point in the week (submit by midnight Sunday) and can even submit more than one time but only your fastest will show in the results list.

A full set of results can be found here: https://www.parkrun.org.uk/portobello/results/notparkrunhistory/

We'd love to see and hear where you've been running so feel free to drop us a line on our facebook page or through the mailbox portobello@parkrun.com.  There were several reports of "porty parkrunner sightings" too this week so grab a social distanced selfie if you bump into each other while you're out n about, we miss your lovely faces, even the sweaty ones!

Stay safe!

Emma

Week 2 of (not) parkrun saw an increase in participation of over 4000 runners across the globe.  The average finish time from the 23,230 runners was 34:00.

40 Porty parkrunners registered their 5k time this week with 23 first timers taking part. It's probably fair to say that the weather wasn't in our favour for fast times week with extreme heat at one of the week and torrential rain and strong winds over the weekend. It appears that we're not fans of the heat with Saturday (9) and Sunday (10) being the most popular days for runs. Despite the conditions, 12 runners still managed to record a personal best for (not) parkrun......I won't lie, mine might have been somewhat wind assisted!!

Representatives on 5 different running clubs took part from Jog Scotland, Lothian Running Club, Edinburgh Tri, Run Things Run Club and Edinburgh Running Network.

Don't forget, you can log your 5k time at any point in the week (submit by midnight Sunday) and can even submit more than one time but only your fastest will show in the results list.

A full set of results can be found here: https://www.parkrun.org.uk/portobello/results/notparkrunhistory/

Due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, (not) parkrun was launched across the world on the 15th June.  This is an opportunity for parkrunners to record a 5k completed on a route or treadmill of your choice between Monday and Sunday and submit the time on your parkrun profile. www.parkrun.com/signin/

18,960 parkrunners took part in week 1 across 20 countries, with an average finish time of 33:42.

These runs won't count towards your milestone tops sadly but could be a great way to stay motivated until we can resume parkrunning again. You can record more than 1 run per week but only your fastest will show in the results table.

In week 1 of (not) parkrun, 25 Porty parkrunners registered their 5k run with an average time of 31:30, much speedier than the average globally! Representatives of 5 different clubs took part with Edinburgh Running Network being the most represented with 4 runners.

The most popular day for running remains Saturday with 6 of the 25 runs recorded, but it's good to see folk keeping active throughout the week.

A full set of results can be found here: https://www.parkrun.org.uk/portobello/results/notparkrunhistory/

It would be great to see more of you getting involved in this and we'd love to see where you've been running so send us your sweaty selfies via the facebook page or on an email and I'll try and keep another parkrun tradition alive in the form of a short (not) parkrun (not) run report.

Stay safe & keep running!

Emma

This week Scotland was battered with heavy showers throughout the week (granted not as bad as February) but still enough to make the park soggy on the verges.  I met Ciara on Thursday evening to collect some parkrun equipment, we met half way and drove in heavy sleet and snow in places, it was awful weather! Proper freezing it was - fast forward 38 and a half hours, and we were treated to a dry, still, 8 degrees partially sunny morning, with a hint of heat, that will do us nicely! I would call it potential PB conditions and we would soon find out! Even the park looked a little more green!

We met the first timers / visitors at 0915 as most of you know my favourite part of being run director, love to show you our park, it has something for everyone, speed, scenery, wildlife, art work.

Its always nice to hear feedback from our visitors and Dan from Thornaby On Tees was up visiting this morning, he said "Figgate park was a great place to run, there's not many parkruns boasting of a volcano in amongst the scenery. A 3 lapper around the pond, it was a very flat, although be mindful of those tree roots! Great Volunteer team and support".

We set you off at 0930, you were off into the distance, so the rest of us decided to take some selfies, of course you want to see them so here they are lol

Before we know it, you are already completing lap one! You all looked good out there, lots of smiles, lots of thank yous, which are very much appreciated by the volunteers! We do have a laugh when you lot run around the park, it’s really good fun to volunteer, none of the jobs are hard, we work as a team, and have a great chat at the same time.  If you would like to volunteer with us, check our the future roster, and email us with your barcode number to portobello@parkrun.com. The roster can be found here -  https://www.parkrun.org.uk/portobello/futureroster/

Well that's time coming to a close for parkrun event 249, volunteers ready for the pack coming home, definitely the calm before the storm...

And here we go, 313 of you crossing the finish line at Portobello, 313 people crossing the finish line once, not over taking in the funnel, 313 not ducking out the funnel, 313 tokens taken to be scanned, 313 RETURNED! Thank you so much for being top quality parkrunners! Guidance from all hi viz definitely helped at times, what a morning!!

I mentioned I felt like it was PB conditions, was it? yes! 51 new PBs today! A special mention to Andrew Simpson your volunteer coordinator,  who claimed his first PB at Porty, his first since 2017! Wow - top achievement Andrew.  Of course everyone knows Andrew, but in case you cant remember it this guy, it’s the guy who went missing in the Portobello pop up tent in 2017!

After every parkrun we go to the café after for coffee, cake and even bacon rolls. Post run chats are the best, though I tried chatting to our fellow RD man Robert but he was zoned out token sorting! Thanks Robert, (I knew he could hear me really) lol

This leaves me my great pleasure in thanking our TOP volunteers for today, it ran so smoothly, and it was all down to you lot, your HI VIZ HEROS were:

Andrew SIMPSON • Sorrel COSENS • Robert MAIN • Graeme THOM • Christian SIMPSON • Ross J NICOL • Anne STEINBERG • Laura PLUMB • Christine CARLTON • Douglas FORRESTER • Joseph HILLIER • Katherine ARNOTT • Dorothy GROOBY • Kuba SKRZYNIARZ • Emma HINGANT • Luca BASSO • Brian HOLLINSWORTH • Fraser MAY • Dan PERREGAUX • Iain YULE • David MILNE • Stephen JONES • Skye HARRISON

Thanks for another special morning in Portobello.

Ross.

Well done all our runners today and special thanks to our volunteers. Particular thanks today to the parkrun weather fairy...!

We had runners from Helping Hands doing their first parkrun today- well done to you.

We lost two finish tokens today - if you have number 126 or number 335 please arrange to return it. We are only ever glad to get finish tokens back!

Results
This week 373 people ran, jogged and walked the course, of whom 53 were first timers and 52 recorded new Personal Bests. Representatives of 37 different clubs took part.

The event was made possible by 25 volunteers:

Siobhan SELLAR • Ciara WEBB • Ciaron FORREST • Christian SIMPSON • Grant SELLAR • Gary HALL • Geoff LYNN • Anne STEINBERG • Graeme NICHOLSON • Ella NICHOLSON • Chris NODEN • Jennie SIMPSON • Joseph HILLIER • Naomi SIMPSON • Victoria BRUCE • Calum BRUCE • Finlay BRUCE • Alex BRUCE • Helen RALSTON • Luca BASSO • Eily SINCLAIR • David MILNE • Patricia BROWN • Skye HARRISON • Tracy NODEN

Today's full results and a complete event history can be found on the Portobello parkrun, Edinburgh Results Page.

The male record is held by Andrew DOUGLAS who recorded a time of 15:21 on 7th November 2015 (event number 29).
The male record is held by Unknown ATHLETE who recorded a time of 16:37 on 22nd July 2017 (event number 115).
The female record is held by Jo WILLIAMS who recorded a time of 17:13 on 26th May 2018 (event number 157).
The Age Grade course record is held by Susan BURNS who recorded 92.66% (20:39) on 28th July 2018 (event number 166).

Portobello parkrun, Edinburgh started on 18th April 2015. Since then 12,488 participants have completed 69,867 parkruns covering a total distance of 349,335 km, including 11,704 new Personal Bests. A total of 918 individuals have volunteered 5,094 times.

Thanks to everyone who came to parkrun this morning! Massive thanks to our volunteers as well - we can't do it without you. I heard a wonderful parkrun story this morning, Max Bloor was a Duke of Edinburgh volunteer with us about four years ago when his mum started running with us. She told me this morning that Max started running at parkrun too, and today he's running at the Scottish National Cross Country Championships. All because of parkrun! This story made my morning.

Couple of things
- please don't take your finish token home. If you have token 296 in your possession please return it, we need to reuse them every week and we've lost this one before!
- if your barcode regularly doesn't scan then please re-print it. It saves volunteer time doing the results.

Volunteers
Thanks so much to the people that made parkrun happen this morning: Lorraine SYME-SMITH • David SORENSEN • Ciara WEBB • Emma LOUGHEED • Eleanor SINGER • Ian DAVIDSON • John CURREN • Christian SIMPSON • Ross J NICOL • Kerry LEGGATT • Anne STEINBERG • Jennifer MACKENZIE • Dawn LAWSON • Joseph HILLIER • Helen ROBINSON • Dorothy GROOBY • Claire Cakes MATHIESON • Helen RALSTON • Helen TAYLOR • David WEDDERBURN • Niamh MURPHY • Eoin O SULLIVAN • David MILNE • Skye HARRISON

Email us at portobello@parkrun.com withyour barcode number if you can help in future weeks. The future roster is here.

Results
Today's full results and a complete event history can be found on the Portobello parkrun, Edinburgh Results Page.

The male record is held by Andrew DOUGLAS who recorded a time of 15:21 on 7th November 2015 (event number 29).
The female record is held by Jo WILLIAMS who recorded a time of 17:13 on 26th May 2018 (event number 157).
The Age Grade course record is held by Susan BURNS who recorded 92.66% (20:39) on 28th July 2018 (event number 166).

Portobello parkrun, Edinburgh started on 18th April 2015. Since then 12,364 participants have completed 69,047 parkruns covering a total distance of 345,235 km, including 11,604 new Personal Bests. A total of 907 individuals have volunteered 5,035 times.

We were incredibly lucky with the weather given previous forecasts, and conditions elsewhere in the country. 412 people made the most of the break in the wind and rain to run, jog or walk our course, of whom 48 were first timers and 49 recorded new Personal Bests. Representatives of 39 different clubs took part.

We were very pleased to welcome lots of first time runners, and visitors from Dundee, the north of England, Ireland, and Brisbane, Australia. Whether it's your first run, your 423rd, and however far you've travelled, thank you for coming to Portobello parkrun! We hope to see you again.

A special mention today for father and daughter, Erin and Rob Malcolm. Erin has now completed 50 parkruns, while Rob hit the 100 parkrun milestone. Well done both of you.

We posted a notice on Facebook earlier, but I think it's worth repeating here - please help us to maintain good relations in the community and keep everyone safe by ensuring you park considerately. We had reports that parkrunners parked dangerously close to the junction with Harry Lauder Road. It's really not worth taking risks for what is after all a free, weekly event and a run, not a race...

Finally, a huge thank-you as always to our fantastic volunteers. This event was made possible by 22 volunteers:

Jim BUICK • Andrew SIMPSON • Sandy MACDONALD • Chris RUSSELL • David LIMMER • Ann RAUTENBACH • Robert MAIN • Emma LOUGHEED • Graeme THOM • John CURREN • Christian SIMPSON • Gary HALL • Anne STEINBERG • Chris NODEN • Douglas FORRESTER • Luca BASSO • Walter CARLTON • Elinor EVANS • Fraser MAY • David MILNE • Michael CRAIG • Skye HARRISON

Today's full results and a complete event history can be found on the Portobello parkrun, Edinburgh Results Page.

The male record is held by Andrew DOUGLAS who recorded a time of 15:21 on 7th November 2015 (event number 29).
The female record is held by Jo WILLIAMS who recorded a time of 17:13 on 26th May 2018 (event number 157).
The Age Grade course record is held by Susan BURNS who recorded 92.66% (20:39) on 28th July 2018 (event number 166).

Portobello parkrun, Edinburgh started on 18th April 2015. Since then 12,301 participants have completed 68,728 parkruns covering a total distance of 343,640 km, including 11,586 new Personal Bests. A total of 905 individuals have volunteered 5,011 times.

Portobello parkrun, Edinburgh
Event number 244
8th February 2020

I am starting this weeks run report with the people who made it all happen.  The volunteers.  The event ran so smoothly and it was all down to you, everyone carried their roles out perfectly.  We had a minor issue out on the course, and received calls from the tail walker and a marshal out of course, which was brilliant, top communications, the clocks matched the tokens, the funnel managers didn't let anyone funnel duck, and even on the barcodes to seal off the results, it was practically perfect. So its my great pleasure on thanking this top squad for event 244. Thank you too....

Maddy SMITH • Chris RUSSELL • Celia MARSH • Robert MAIN • Ciara WEBB • Christian SIMPSON • Ross J NICOL • Fiona NICOL • Mandy HUDSON • Anne STEINBERG • Chris NODEN • Dorothy GROOBY • Louise GRAY • Calum BRUCE • Finlay BRUCE • Claire Cakes MATHIESON • Helen RALSTON • Luca BASSO • Dan PERREGAUX • Barbara SEEL • David MILNE • Patricia BROWN • Skye HARRISON

We seen 440 people come to Figgate Park to take part in our beautiful parkrun. When I shouted "Any first timers or visitors to Portobello, come here for a first timers brief" I was a little over whelmed with the amount of newbies we had! 96 of the 440 were first timers, a lot of them were us for the Rugby (enough said about that now!)  I am always really proud to show off our parkrun to the first timers, its so easy when we have a Volcano as a backdrop, the wildlife in figgate pond, the artwork and old railway models, the bridges we run over and under, topped off with the sun with hints of sprinhg on its way.  I do hope you enjoyed your run with us, and please do come back to visit soon.

51 of you bagged your self a personal best time too, how good is that! well done on your PB

What did you enjoy about Porty parkrun? comment below on Facebook, we would love to hear about your experience, whether you are a regular, tourist, first timer or even a volunteer!

Milestones!!

Chris Smeaton 100 parkruns! well done Chris!  - 88 of the runs at home parkrun Porty as well!

Anne Milne 100 parkruns! a brilliant achievement Anne, running 99 of the 100 at Porty!

Hope you are enjoying your weekend, see you next time.

Ross.

February already! How did that happen?! It was great to be back at Figgate Park for my parkrun fix having missed it for the last month. The forecast was looking a bit iffy but a wee bit drizzle and some wind didn't put off the 399 people who ran, jogged and walked the course this week. 75 were first timers and 55 recorded new Personal Bests. Representatives of 51 different clubs took part. The weather fairy even produced a rainbow after the runners had set off.

One of our visitors Nickie Sale who is from South Africa kindly wrote these words about her visit to Portobello parkun.

Lorraine SYME-SMITH • Ian A SMITH • Robert MAIN • Ciara WEBB • John CURREN • Ross J NICOL • Fiona NICOL • Anne STEINBERG • Christine CARLTON • Joseph HILLIER • Dave STONE • Jan MAXWELL • Raanan BERRI • Carole PARK • Claire Cakes MATHIESON • Kuba SKRZYNIARZ • Elinor EVANS • Holly WATSON • Barbara SEEL • David MILNE • Stephen JONES • Justin KNOFF • Peter GERRARD • Skye HARRISON

We had a few milestones today. Well done to you all!

Justine Stansfield 50th run!

If you have a milestone in future weeks please let the RD know so we can give you a shout out.

Rebecca Richardson 50th run and Happy Birthday!

Ray Ward 50th run which has taken him 13 years to achieve!

Today's full results and a complete event history can be found on the Portobello parkrun, Edinburgh Results Page.

The male record is held by Andrew DOUGLAS who recorded a time of 15:21 on 7th November 2015 (event number 29).
The male record is held by Unknown ATHLETE who recorded a time of 16:37 on 22nd July 2017 (event number 115).
The female record is held by Jo WILLIAMS who recorded a time of 17:13 on 26th May 2018 (event number 157).
The Age Grade course record is held by Susan BURNS who recorded 92.66% (20:39) on 28th July 2018 (event number 166).

Portobello parkrun, Edinburgh started on 18th April 2015. Since then 12,157 participants have completed 67,876 parkruns covering a total distance of 339,380 km, including 11,486 new Personal Bests. A total of 903 individuals have volunteered 4,966 times.

Well that's January complete! Month 1 of 12 done of 2020 already!  Are you ready for month 2?  If your not sure, then please read on. New Years Day saw 493 people cross the finish line! It was expected to be busy, a New Year means a new you to many people, of course not everyone was a new parkrunner, but an amazing 121 people were.  Some of these first timers may have gone, others have stayed, but what's the secret to keep coming back, staying motivated, and even enjoying the running?

First of all for me its remembering why you started in the first place, did you want to get fit, loose weight, train for an event later in the year? Remember why you started, and see how far you have came in the last 4 weeks.  I have noticed a lot of new comers making great progress in the time they have ran, jogged or walked with us.

Getting involved was definitely key for me, volunteering at Porty is a great way to make new mates and share stories of parkruning experiences.  Sometimes people might feel tired from a tough week at work, life is busy, but volunteering most certainly has never been a chore for me, watching the running pack run off into the distance inspires me for the next week.

Not overdoing it for me, this has been crucial!  I started parkrunning in 2014 and its taken me this long to realise this, the amount of injuries I've had has been silly, so listening to your body is key, nobody likes being injured, and sometimes it takes a lot to comeback from an injury, mentally and physically.  This is where the getting involved (volunteering) has hugely helped.

Eat a balanced diet, set your self short, medium, and long term goals, make them realistic, and reward your self when you achieve a goal, concentrate on your self, its a run not a race.  If your racing its always against your self, if you focus on others and what they do it may not be right for you, it could lead to you becoming unmotivated if it doesn't work out, enjoy your journey (that's the most important bit).

None of what I’m saying is published as gospel, its just how I feel, its little things that I wish I knew when I first started. When I first started I really didn't look forward to the actual 5k run, it was everything that goes with the parkrun.  Sometimes you might be in bed on a Saturday morning thinking I wont bother today, you need to trust me on this, if you get up and go, these parkruns feel the best, I have never regretted running a parkrun, but I have regretted not going to one.

Where ever you’re reading this, I would like you to share your tips on how you motivate your self, why you parkrun, and why you keep coming back, comment below.

Above - First timers meeting The Run Director Ciara for the first timers brief, this happens at 0915 every Saturday. Above - the start of porty parkrun, all on their own separate journeys

Above - 53 time parkrunner Sarah motivating you last weekend (18.01.2020) 

Above - one of the Hi Viz heros, that make your journey possible.  

If this "run report" helps at least one person come back for next week, then its been worth my time in writing it.  It’s been one month, your best days are still ahead, and your doing amazing. See you next week!

 A reminder please we have no toilets in the park, please do not put your event at risk!

This week 457 people ran, jogged and walked the course, of whom 77 were first timers and 62 recorded new Personal Bests. Representatives of 40 different clubs took part.

The event was made possible by 26 volunteers:

Stephen MALEY 25 volunteering stints today!! • Andrew SIMPSON • Ann RAUTENBACH • Robert MAIN • Mary RITCHIE • John CURREN • Christian SIMPSON • Ross J NICOL • Fiona NICOL • Anne STEINBERG • Nico FERIA-YATES • Gosia KARCZEWSKA • Joseph HILLIER • Rachel MURRAY • Kuba SKRZYNIARZ • Rachel YULE • David WOOD • Luca BASSO • Dariusz WEDGE • Fraser MAY • Helen STOCKS • David MILNE • Patricia BROWN • Matthew WELDON • Skye HARRISON • Kat MCCLORY

Today's full results and a complete event history can be found on the Portobello parkrun, Edinburgh Results Page.

MILESTONES

CAROLINE YOUNG 100 PARKRUNS

STUART SMITH 50 PARKRUNS

RACHEL FROM BRISTOL 50 PARKRUNS

STEPHEN MALEY 25 VOLUNTEERING

The male record is held by Andrew DOUGLAS who recorded a time of 15:21 on 7th November 2015 (event number 29).

The female record is held by Jo WILLIAMS who recorded a time of 17:13 on 26th May 2018 (event number 157).
The Age Grade course record is held by Susan BURNS who recorded 92.66% (20:39) on 28th July 2018 (event number 166).

Portobello parkrun, Edinburgh started on 18th April 2015. Since then 12,083 participants have completed 67,477 parkruns covering a total distance of 337,385 km, including 11,430 new Personal Bests. A total of 899 individuals have volunteered 4,942 times.

I would like to end this run report on a positive, well done to Matthew Weldon our junior volunteer today, completing the timekeeping role as number one timekeeper!! David Milne didn't fancy doing it correctly today!! 

haha well done everyone, see you next week.

Ross.