Run Report #170

Posted on September 13, 2019 by Stevenage Office

Despite the forecast for Saturday being clear and dry, we did have the odd intermittent shower. However, that didn't dampen the spirits of a very large group of runners. 415 overall, which is our 5th highest attendance. Quite amazing and it just shows the popularity and benefits that parkrun provides.

Of the 415 people who ran, jogged and walked the course, 41 were first timers and we had a superb 92 new Personal Bests. Congratulations to all those runners who recorded a PB.

Parkrun wouldn't exist without our volunteers and our brilliant stars this week are:

Daniel SUTTON • Chloe MARSHALL • James MARSHALL • David GALPIN • Suzanne TYDEMAN • Julie KEMPSON • Lyn HAMMOCKS • Tracy NORRIS • Tony RANDFIELD • Mark LEGATE • Joe COLGAN • Richard GLAISTER • Sally MCBRIDE • Doug WILSON • Bethany WILKINSON • Alan FORD • Hazel JONES • Greg BRADBURY • Anna STORMONT

A special mention to Anya Blaxland who has a junior ran their 10th parkrun on Saturday. This is a parkrun milestone for a junior, so please look out for that email regarding your t-shirt! We were also visited on Saturday by Hitchin Town Youth Under 15's football team, resplendent in their full football kit. All of the team finished the run and provided lots of encouragement to the last member of the team to finish.

In recent weeks, we have found it difficult to fill the volunteer roster. On Saturday morning, despite a number of appeals on social media, we still required a timekeeper. Fortunately, one of the regular volunteers decided not to run and filled that vital role. We understand and appreciate that people like to run, but without our volunteers we wouldn't have a weekly event. Therefore, if everybody occasionally decided to volunteer, it would be hugely appreciated and would help us massively.

Stevenage parkrun#169

Posted on September 5, 2019 by Stevenage Office

Stevenage parkrun
Event number 169
31st August 2019

The bright blue sky and moderate temperature provided near perfect conditions for the 377 people who ran, jogged and walked the 5K course through beautiful Fairlands Valley Park. Thirty-six were first timers and 65 recorded new Personal Bests. Representatives of 32 different clubs took part.

Two members from Vegan Runners Club

New Run Director, Dave Scott, opened the briefing by thanking this week’s enthusiastic band of volunteers, and invited participation for future parkruns.

Run Director Dave briefing eager parkrunners

This week’s volunteers: Alan FORD • Angus KINDLEY • Carolyn LINSELL • Chloe MARSHALL • Chris LEIGH • Daniel SUTTON • David SCOTT • Doug WILSON • Dzenana TOPIC • Elizabeth JORDAN • Hazel JONES • James MCSWEENEY • Joe COLGAN • Jonathan JONES • Julie KEMPSON • Karl SPARKS • Mark LEGATE • Richard CLARKE • Richard GLAISTER • Tamara CLELFORD • Tony RANDFIELD.
Volunteering underpins the success of parkrun and is also very rewarding. If you do wish to volunteer, please email the team at stevenagehelpers@parkrun.com or speak to the run director.

Some of the volunteers waiting for the morning meeting

Some of the volunteers waiting for the morning briefing

Congratulations to two parkrun regulars who achieved their milestone run: Run Director, Tony Ranfield (50) and TJ Ruredzo (100).

Caped Milestone Runners
Tony (50) and TJ (100)

Olivia travelled up from London to celebrate TJ's milestone run

Stevenage parkrun started on 28th May 2016. Since then 7,396 participants have completed 46,539 parkruns covering a total distance of 232,695 km, including 9,433 new Personal Bests. A total of 478 individuals have volunteered 3,358 times.

Event #168 Run Report

Posted on August 25, 2019 by Stevenage Office

It's the 168th Stevenage parkrun,
Eighteen volunteers arrive in the Hertfordshire hot morning sun,
The lakes are beautiful and gleaming,
The waters around are steaming,
Alan Ford emerges from the edge of Fairlands Showground,
It's 7:58 a.m. and there's barely a sound,
Alan is ready to do his 100th parkrun,
Trail Running, oh man!
Alan and the Volunteers start to set up the course,
Making sure all is clear, of course,
Bit by bit near the bandstand,
People arrive, it's no longer bland,
Runners bopping up and down, reds, yellows, blues and greens,
Setting the 'Stevenage parkrun Scene',
Christopher Dean ready to do his century,
Keeping it cool today, he's not in a hurry,
The Airforce Band on the Run,
Eight of them having fun,
New attendees go for Tamara's parkrun briefing,
Every else is warming up, chatting and laughing,
Run director Laura is now free,
She counts down from three,
The start is narrow and close to the lake,
Maybe someone may get to swim, a little nudge is all it'll take,
Luckily with a two way split,
No one will get wet,
Lawrence and Cronin hot on the trail,
With young Wannerton on their tail,
There's huffing, puffing and breathing,
Some 'taking it in their stride' whilst they're singing,
Marshalls direct by clapping with smiles,
Encouraging the crowd to carry on to complete the three miles,
In all the kerfuffle pushchairs pass,
On tow with their passenger lad or lass,
Three hundred and eighty runners,
Twenty one newcomers,
Tail walker Alan is always kind,
Never leaving anyone behind,
Though no one is ever put to the test,
Fifty four awesome parkrunners achieve a Personal Best,
Hurray a young lady comes over the line first,
Sorry Joe but Natalie really wanted a personal best,
Whether you run, jogged, nearly swam or walked,
Crossing the line you are now clocked,
Timekeepers and scanners are there,
To ensure the finish is fair,
No more commotion,
Time to go home after the exertion,
Parkrun helpers tidy up,
Off to Costello's for a cup,
Tokens sorted and put away in orders,
By Doug and t'others,
Laura and Ian are processing your result,
If you didn't get a PB, it's not their fault,
So the times won't go out too late,
All done, that's great,
All packed up for now,
It's time to take a bow!
The morning has been a thrill,
Just waiting for the pics from Phil,
Click, click, click, click,
He'll catch you even if you were quick!

Thank you very much to Esperanza for writing today's run report and to all the volunteers. Lottie BUTLER-HENDERSON, Esperanza CASTRO, Tamara CLELFORD, Joe COLGAN, Phil DEAVES, Alan FORD, Mark HOWSEN, Ian KIMPTON, Laura KIMPTON, Jack MARSHALL, Chloe MARSHALL, James MARSHALL, Anne MILLER, Matthew PATTMAN, Rebecca SCOTT, Stephen SMITHSON, Suzanne TYDEMAN and Doug WILSON. If you would like to volunteer in the next few weeks, please email stevenagehelpers@parkrun.com.

Run report- event 167- 17.08.19

Posted on August 20, 2019 by Stevenage Office

Stevenage parkrun
Event number 167
17th August 2019

The rain lifted and we had a lovely morning for our 167th event. 386 people ran, jogged and walked the course, of whom 43 were first timers and 66 recorded new Personal Bests.

Well done to all involved and a special mention to Esperanza Castro and Matthew Graham who both ran their 50th parkrun and also Tristan Lawyer who ran his 100th! I would have given you all a shout out had the loudspeaker been working, my voice could barely do the basic brief but I do apologise.

As per, the event was made possible by 23 volunteers:

Ian KIMPTON • Ellie SCOTT • Phil DEAVES • Angus KINDLEY • Anjali KRISHNANUNNI • Elizabeth JORDAN • Tichaonezvi J. RUREDZO • Chloe MARSHALL • James MARSHALL • Philip BEIGHTON • Richard HENRY • Tracy NORRIS • Sheila LEAVY • Joe COLGAN • David SCOTT • Priscilla BALDOCK • David HENSON • Rosemary BIGGS • Alan FORD • Rachel HALL • April LACEY • Tamara CLELFORD • Kelly SMIRK

As has happened more regularly of late, we were cutting it a little fine in terms of filling the roster so we would ask that if you run regularly and haven't yet volunteered, please do, we can only keep this event going if everyone chips in.

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

parkrun164 run report

Posted on July 28, 2019 by Stevenage Office

Stevenage parkrun
Event number 164
27th July 2019
This week 273 people ran, jogged and walked the course, of whom 44 were first timers and 33 recorded new Personal Bests. Representatives of 25 different clubs took part.

As you all know parkrun continues to thrive partly due to the core team of volunteers but also due to the community banding together and volunteering regularly to help keep our weekly events going strong. Its weekend’s like this that show cases how strong our volunteer base is and I thank you all very much for helping out in such poor conditions.

The event was made possible by 23 hardy stalwart volunteers:

Verity FISHER • Daniel SUTTON • Elizabeth ABELHO • Ken JUDE • Simon James FISHER • Karen PALMER • Susan D FISHER • Gordon COWAN • Jenny GARRETT • Mark HILLIER • Ruth KENNEDY • Joe COLGAN • Shane HOPPER • Doug WILSON • Karen THOMAS • David THOMAS • Ben SALTMARSH • Alan FORD • Dzenana TOPIC • April LACEY • Tamara CLELFORD • Mark HOWSEN • Kelly SMIRK

Joe Colgan has now helped to setup Stevenage parkrun 100 times and has also ran 100 parkruns, and its Joe and Alan Ford who our fast visitors can thank for not going the wrong way, gents we salute you.

Joe recalls 2 years previous at work getting a health check where he explains his lung capacity was calculated as 4 years older than his age, a recent repeat of his works health check now calculates Joe lungs as being 2 years younger than his age. We hope parkrun has had a hand in this, but certain Joe looks much the better for it and we hope he continues.

Today's full results and a complete event history can be found on the Stevenage parkrun Results Page.
The male record is held by Ian KIMPTON who recorded a time of 15:07 on 3rd September 2016 (event number 15).
The female record is held by Annabel GUMMOW who recorded a time of 17:39 on 17th November 2018 (event number 127).
The Age Grade course record is held by Yuko GORDON who recorded 92.85% (22:51) on 10th November 2018 (event number 126).
Stevenage parkrun started on 28th May 2016. Since then 7,166 participants have completed 44,672 parkruns covering a total distance of 223,360 km, including 9,144 new Personal Bests. A total of 465 individuals have volunteered 3,254 times.

Event #163 Run Report

Posted on July 21, 2019 by Stevenage Office

It was a grey, yet humid start to Saturday morning. We had a light drizzle whilst setting up, but missed the heavy downpour that happened whilst we were processing the results in the cafe! Fortunately the thunder storms failed to materialise - for which we were particularly grateful...

Our latest pacing run was, yet again, well attended. 386 people ran, jogged or walked 5k. 64 parkrunners tackling the Stevenage course for the first time, with 71 athletes (over 18%) gaining a new PB - hopefully this was down to our excellent pacers!!!

Speaking of our wonderful pacers, we had runners for 20, 23, 26, 28, 30 and 32 minutes. As always, they did a sterling job of keeping to their assigned durations. The unofficial competition to hit their actual times was as fiercely contested as always, with Danny Scanlon and Darren Isted being just one second adrift from their target. Whilst this would usually be enough to claim the (totally non-existant) Pacing Crown, this time it goes to Kris Whitmore who hit his target time of 20 minutes exactly - well done Kris! Commiserations to Vicky Berry, Chris Rowlands and Tim Robinson who were still wonderfully close to their targets as well.

Congratulations to Finn Hobbs, Michael Dennis, Hollie Ferrara and Katie Ferrara for completing their 10th parkrun as juniors, emails regarding how to claim your parkrun 10 club t-shirt should be coming your way soon!

This week's shiny volunteers were: Vicky BERRY • James MCSWEENEY • Roger BIGGS • Daniel SUTTON • Jason ROOT • Angus KINDLEY • Tim ROBINSON • Kris WHITMORE • Jenny GARRETT • Mark HILLIER • Jim BROWN • Darren ISTED • Robin WOODROW • Danny SCANLON • Tracy NORRIS • Helen HARRIS • Joe COLGAN • Matthew PATTMAN • Doug WILSON • Rosemary BIGGS • Alan FORD • Chris ROWLANDS • Marleen VAN ZWIETEN • Tamara CLELFORD • Jim CALLAGHAN • Finley NORMAN - you did a sterling job making sure the event ran without any problems so a big thanks from me.
Extra special thanks go to Robin Woodrow who reached his 25th time of volunteering - you'll be receiving an email regarding your parkrun purple volunteer t-shirt soon, Robin! If you'd like to volunteer at Stevenage parkrun (remember, helping out just twice a year would ensure we're never short of volunteers), email us at stevenagehelpers@parkrun.com. There's a range of different roles, with some still letting you complete the course.

Full results from this week are available HERE

Jason
This week's (departing) Run Director!

Event #161 Run Report

Posted on July 12, 2019 by Stevenage Office

Saturday was perfect conditions for running and this was reflected by 374 runners completing the course of whom 54 were first timers and 63 recorded new Personal Bests.

Our fantastic volunteers for this week were James MCSWEENEY • Angus KINDLEY • Anjali KRISHNANUNNI • Karen BROOM • Chris LEIGH • Darren ISTED • Callie CHAPMAN • Tracy NORRIS • Joe COLGAN • Richard GLAISTER • Gary SHERIN • Scott BILLINGS • Trevor BROOM • Doug WILSON • Hedley HADFIELD • Victoria HADFIELD • Ally BROWN • Rosemary BIGGS • Ben SALTMARSH • Alan FORD • Dzenana TOPIC • Juliette MULLEN • Emma TOZER • Karen CUBBAGE

Congratulations to Nick Tranter who completed his 50th parkrun. Ian Clark and Darren Istead both completed their 100th parkruns. Congratulations to both of them and Darren also volunteered as the tail walker to complete his 100th.

It was brilliant to welcome the Stevenage Mayor Simon Speller to Saturday's parkrun. Simon is a big supporter of parkrun and was delighted to see lots of runners out there getting fit and enjoying the park.

There are lots of photographs from Saturday. Angus Kindley photographs are on our facebook page and Gary Sherin wandered around the course taking lots of photos. Gary's photos can be found on our flickr page through a group search.

All the results from Saturday's run are available on our website page.

On Saturday 20th July we having a pacers run. We are still looking for volunteer pacers, so please email stevenagehelpers@parkrun.com if you would like to volunteer.

Event #160 Run Report

Posted on July 5, 2019 by Stevenage Office

Stevenage parkrun
Event number 160
29th June 2019

323 people ran, jogged and walked the course on this glorious morning, of whom 55 were first timers and 29 recorded new Personal Bests, big pat on the back to all who chose to get out of bed and forgo the fry up (at least until after the run!) And the biggest pat on the back to all the volunteers who make this event happen week in week out:

James MCSWEENEY • Elizabeth JORDAN • Tichaonezvi J. RUREDZO • Chloe MARSHALL • James MARSHALL • Jack MARSHALL • Karen BROOM • Chris LEIGH • Lottie BUTLER-HENDERSON • Robin WOODROW • Tony RANDFIELD • Joe COLGAN • Trevor BROOM • Doug WILSON • Josh SQUIRES • Ben SALTMARSH • Alan FORD • Dzenana TOPIC • Paula SPARKS • Rachel HALL

Since the beginning of Stevenage parkrun on 28 May 2016 we have had 453 individuals volunteering, I'm thinking we could round that up to 500 so get volunteering peeps!

Just a note to say that now the weather is becoming warmer and will hopefully stay that way for a few weeks at least, do make sure you stay hydrated when running and be sensible.

Lastly, if you haven't seen yet on any of our social media platforms, we have scheduled another pacing event on 20 July so please get in touch if you would be interested to lend a hand (or legs) and be a pacer.

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

Event #159 Run Report

Posted on June 27, 2019 by Stevenage Office

A dry and sunny day for our 159th run at Fairlands Valley. In fact so sunny we had to move the scanning positions under the trees!

Milestones: We had 3 today, Martin Dudley and Doug Whitehead both ran their 100th parkruns, they shared the 100 cape. Doug, a Stevenage boy, now lives in Australia. He was last here many years ago when he was 18. Elizabeth Jordan qualified for her 25th volunteer T. Hopefully the purple shirt will be with you soon. Congrats to you all. Oh and thanks Martin for the chews at the end.

A big thank you to all the volunteers whose contribution made it a very smooth running event: This week 314 people ran, jogged and walked the course, of whom 31 were first timers and 67 recorded new Personal Bests. Representatives of 26 different clubs took part.
The event was made possible by 18 volunteers:

James MCSWEENEY • Angus KINDLEY • Elizabeth JORDAN • Sophocles GEORGIOU • Callie CHAPMAN • Sheila LEAVY • Tony RANDFIELD • Pam LEWIS • Joe COLGAN • Scott BILLINGS • Matt RINGER • Doug WILSON • Josh SQUIRES • Shelley MEIRELES • Ben SALTMARSH • Alan FORD • Dzenana TOPIC • Paula SPARKS
Today's full results and a complete event history can be found on the Stevenage parkrun Results Page.
The male record is held by Ian KIMPTON who recorded a time of 15:07 on 3rd September 2016 (event number 15).
The female record is held by Annabel GUMMOW who recorded a time of 17:39 on 17th November 2018 (event number 127).
The Age Grade course record is held by Yuko GORDON who recorded 92.85% (22:51) on 10th November 2018 (event number 126).
Stevenage parkrun started on 28th May 2016. Since then 6,895 participants have completed 42,895 parkruns covering a total distance of 214,475 km, including 8,860 new Personal Bests. A total of 453 individuals have volunteered 3,140 times.

First 3 ladies over the line were: Eva Ramsey: 22-25[PB], Dervla Downing: 22-36 and Harriet Richards 24-11 [PB].

And the gents: Craig Brown 18-08, first timer from GCR, Joe Cronin 18-15 [PB] and James Bywater 18-36 [PB]

Event #158 Run Report

Posted on June 27, 2019 by Stevenage Office

Parkrun Report #158
15 June 2019

The sun peeped ever so slightly through the dark clouds and, coupled with the cool breeze, provided perfect conditions for the 372 people who ran, jogged and walked the 5k course. The field included 52 first timers, representatives of 29 different clubs and an impressive 61 new Personal Bests. Congratulations to the new milestone club members: Jane Waters who completed 50 runs and Joseph Miles (Junior) who completed 10 runs.

Hi-Viz Volunteers

Run Director Laura Kimpton briefing parkrunners

Each week the event is made possible by volunteers, and this week the Shout Out goes to the following 19 volunteers: Laura KIMPTON • Ian KIMPTON • Anjali KRISHNANUNNI • Elizabeth JORDAN • Robin WOODROW • Richard HENRY • Sheila LEAVY • Tony RANDFIELD • Pam LEWIS • Helen HARRIS • Richard GLAISTER • Matthew PATTMAN • Shane HOPPER • Doug WILSON • Josh SQUIRES • Shelley MEIRELES • Alan FORD • Peter FITZGERALD • Karl SPARKS

Tailwalker - The volunteer who is always last to arrive ensuring that no one needs ever worry about coming last at parkrun!

Your parkrun needs you! The parkrun team will be delighted to hear from anyone wishing to volunteer. You can contact them via email: stevenagehelpers@parkrun.com or speak to the Run Director after the event.

Today's full results and a complete event history can be found on the Stevenage parkrun Results Page. The first three men across the line were: Joe CRONIN (18:40 New PB), James BYWATER (18:52 New PB) and Geoff DAVEY (18:58). The first three women across the line were: Gail MACKIE (20:54), Amélie HOBBS (23:48) and First Timer Sophie BESTWICK (23:52).

The male record is held by Ian KIMPTON who recorded a time of 15:07 on 3rd September 2016 (event number 15).
The female record is held by Annabel GUMMOW who recorded a time of 17:39 on 17th November 2018 (event number 127).
The Age Grade course record is held by Yuko GORDON who recorded 92.85% (22:51) on 10th November 2018 (event number 126).

Stevenage parkrun started on 28th May 2016. Since then 6,864 participants have completed 42,581 parkruns covering a total distance of 212,905 km, including 8,793 new Personal Bests. A total of 452 individuals have volunteered 3,122 times.

See you all next week when the Run Director will be Tony Randfield.

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