The One By The parkrun Obsessive
Report by Chris Leonard
Photos by Keith Constable - Click on the following link to view the complete set in Flickr:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/riddlesdown/albums/72177720298789268"
Ok, I’m somewhat the parkrun enthusiast ( obsessive, fanatic and bore are also words used at the breakfast table) today was great, a real homecoming. Roundshaw Downs is my ‘home run’ but we’re spoiled for choice with great local runs and with Roundshaw cancelled I had a hankering to revisit Riddlesdown Common, the course where I began my parkrun journey in 2016. I love the new course, as beautiful as I remembered and the positive vibe cast by the volunteers was echoed by the participants, this may be Croydon’s friendliest event.
Ok it was a bit humid, but, what a cracking day for a 5k run. Today's event, number 516, was attended by 163 parkrunners. We had 19 ‘tourists’ attending Riddlesdown Common for the first time and 3 people choosing the course for their first ever parkrun, welcome to the parkrun family Luke, Leela, and Alexander. They say the second parkrun is the hardest, well today 5 runners, Matthew, Oliver, Andrew, Natasha and Richard cleared that hurdle.
As promised by the Run Director, course conditions were pretty much ideal (can’t blame my slow time on that then) and a amazing 23 P.B.s were achieved.
Well done to; Dylan (first finisher), Tom, Orrin, Scott, Jean, Matthew, Lachlan, Joanne, George, Florence, Dave, Gareth, Kevin, Sam, James, Ellie, Grace, Paul, Natasha, Kiana, Nansen, Richard and Susan.
There were 4 unknown runners recorded, did you forget your barcode? PARKRUN NOW ACCEPT BARCODES ON MOBILES, alternatively, my kids bought me a parkrun wristband, problem solved.
Special mention and extra kudos to 7 runners who all achieved ‘milestone’ runs today.
James, Ellie and Kiana celebrated running their tenth event and as minors, qualify for the white junior T shirt. Tom’s joined the 25 ‘club’ (purple T shirt), Sarah and Bernard ran their 50th event (red top) and with 100 runs Tamsin is eligible for the black t shirt.
Check out your profile for the link from parkrun. What’s next? The green 250 top or after 10 years running, walking and jogging 5k the, increasingly common, blue 500 T shirt.
I noticed, and applaud Helen, accomplishing run number 343 AND she’s also clocked up over 250 volunteer credits, what a superstar!
Finally, thanks and appreciation to the 26 volunteers, without whom, today’s event simply wouldn’t happen. There are a wide variety of ways to get involved, many roles allow you to run as well, AND, there are milestone t shirts available for volunteers too. If you’re interested in getting involved email riddlesdown@parkrun.com or speak to one of the team next week