parkrun event cancellations

Cancellations this coming week

Elliðaárdalur parkrun 4 February 2012 – Cancelled until start of March
Please check the event news pages for the most up to date information.

Cancellations in future weeks

Elliðaárdalur parkrun 11 February 2012 – Cancelled until start of March
Finsbury parkrun 11 February 2012 – Another event in park
Elliðaárdalur parkrun 18 February 2012 – Cancelled until start of March
Elliðaárdalur parkrun 25 February 2012 – Cancelled until start of March
Durham parkrun 3 March 2012 – Charity event taking place

parkrun News

Weekly newsletter - 2nd February 2012

Welcome to this week's newsletter

In this week’s newsletter, I visit two new parkruns, a couple of superstars make their appearance at Bushy and I discuss what’s in a name. I also provide an update on the club t-shirts.

Eastbourne parkrun; many thanks to the team at Eastbourne for looking after Joanne and I at the weekend. We took part in the inaugural event along with 118 other parkrunners, more than half of who were new to parkrun. Special thanks go to Stuart Pelling, Event Director, who also convinced his brother and mother to come down and help out at the event, for the work involved in creating this much needed parkrun. Now the Brighton folks have an alternative not too far away. The course is likely to be quick when conditions are right. On the day, it was a bit sodden underfoot on a small part of the course and as you all know it was bitterly cold. Many of us decamped to the local pub afterwards for a welcome cup of coffee and breakfast.

After Eastbourne, Joanne and I made the journey to Newbury where Joanne trained the local parkrun team and a pilot was run in preparation for the first event on the 11^th February. A very healthy, 26 parkrunners turned up at Greenham Common in the biting cold on Sunday afternoon to check out the course and help identify any last minute issues for the team. Well done to Rachael, Mark and the other members of the team including Colin and Elaine Brassington. A special thanks goes to Matthew Pembroke who wrote to us many months ago with a view to starting this parkrun.

This week’s newest parkruns are: Mile End and Bexley parkruns. Welcome to both these London parkruns bringing the number of London parkrun events to 29. We promised the London Mayor that we would have a parkrun in every London borough by the end of 2012 and thanks to the efforts of Anita and the volunteers we are on track to achieve this. See more about these two new parkruns in Anita's Rubrique to the right.

The new adidas parkrun club t-shirts are brilliant. I have seen a number of these at the events I have visited this year and I am very proud to wear my 100 t-shirt whenever I can. It’s been a difficult time for Ray, our ‘kit pixie’, who works tirelessly to collecting the list of people who are eligible to receive these, to match these with our stocks and then to get these out to our events for distribution to you. It’s an Olympic year and our partner adidas is a key part of making sure that the event is brilliant. Combine that with all the other events that adidas support plus our unique requirements and then you might understand why there has been a delay in getting the correct level of stock. However, I can assure you that we are nearly there now. I am asking for you to be patient for a little bit longer as we tackle the backlog. We are hoping to complete our distribution to all events of outstanding club kit by the end of February. Thank you for your understanding and your patience.

I hope you all have a great parkrunning week. If your looking for me on Saturday I will be at Bushy, spectating with Tom Williams and I will be running my clubs mob match in the afternoon. We should always consider putting our club before a parkrun!

Happy Running!

Paul from parkrun

Bushy parkrun to host Olympic stars

Olympic legends Edwin Moses and Mark Spitz are set to line up on the start line at the Bushy parkrun on Saturday.

Moses - who won Olympic gold medals in the 400 metres hurdles in 1976 and 1984 - and Spitz, who famously swam to seven gold medals in one Olympiad at the 1972 Games in Munich, will be taking part in the 5km run through one of London’s famous Royal Parks, just a short distance away from Hampton Court Palace.

The pair, in town for the Laureus World Sports Awards held in London on Monday, will take part alongside more than 900 parkrunners.

The Laureus World Sports Awards, which recognise sporting achievement during the year, are the premier honours on the international sporting calendar. The winners are chosen by the Laureus Academy Members and proceeds from the Awards directly benefit and underpin the work of the Laureus Foundation, which supports 91 community sports projects in 34 countries. Since its inception, Laureus has raised over €40 million for projects which have improved the lives of more than one-and-a-half million young people.

What’s in a name?

I’ve recently been called petty for insisting that the parkrun name be used correctly. Was this person right to make this statement or am I justified to insist that our property be used correctly?

I believe that how things are called and identified is important. It is sometimes difficult to explain the activity that you take part in every Saturday morning to your friends. You probably want to get the whole concept of what we stand for across in a simple statement. Wouldn't it be great if you could simply say “I took part in a parkrun at the weekend” and everyone would automatically identify the nature of activity that you took part in?

I want it to be universally known that a parkrun is a weekly, free, 5k, timed, running event open to everyone. I want folks to understand that parkrun is another word for fun, friendly, community oriented, regular running events.

So, I believe I am right to protect our name. I wont be trying to correct everyone who gets this wrong but rather to focus on the folks who represent us like our event teams and the folks in the media who write about us.

So, just in case you didn't already know this, parkrun is always spelt as a single word and is represented in lowercase – that's marketing for you!

Gdynia parkrun – Poland 10th March 2012

The parkrun team in Poland are hoping to welcome a group of parkrunners from the U.K. to Gdynia on Saturday the 10th March. Gdynia was the first parkrun started in Poland and has a beautiful course along the seafront.

The opportunity of running along the shores of the Baltic in March should be attractive to some, plus an option of joining some of the local parkrunners on a ‘cool down’ in the sea afterwards in addition to the customary post run café gathering.

Gdynia, together with Gdansk and Sopot constitute the Tricity area of a significant wartime and political history (the place where WW2 started and the Solidarity movement was born), with plenty to see and do. In addition, Jakub, the parkrun country manager has offered to show the group around the local sights on Saturday afternoon.

If you are interested, please contact Peter at peter_fordham@yahoo.com and you will be able to join him on the trip. He will be able to book you two nights accommodation in the Hotel Orbis and provide transfers to and from Gdansk airport. Current prices for the hotel and transfers are £98 for a single person and £70 per person for two people sharing a standard double room. There are small extra payments for a sea view/ and or breakfast. The hotel is in close proximity to the parkrun and city. While flights are not included, a return flight on Ryanair from Stansted was booked on 30th January for a total price of under £55 …. Be quick, they will go up!

An extended stay is an option, as is arriving from other destinations; however it hoped that most of the group would be able to travel on Ryanair flight 2372 at 11.55 on Friday from Stansted to Gdansk and return on flight 2373 on Sunday departing 09:50 from Gdansk. If Stansted presents a problem, Wizz Air flies direct from Luton.

Event News

We have had some great feedback from the events:

Wythenshawe parkrun are offering a special, beginner focused event on the 3^rd March 2012. Special attention is paid to first timers on these days easing anyone who is interested into their first ever parkrun. For this event, they are planning to have a number of volunteers to take beginners around the two-lap course at different speeds. One of these pacers will be a walk/run pacer who will aim to complete the 5k in 45 minutes.

Drop me an email if you have an interesting parkrun related fact, happening or comment that you would like to share with all parkrunners.

Feedback from the field

Dear Paul,

It was with complete surprise that I received an email last week informing me that I had been chosen for the Sweatshop monthly prize at Norwich in December. Until 16 months ago I had never run in my life and to be honest never thought I would. I am now approaching 50 parkruns, 14kg lighter and am getting to a point at which running is becoming enjoyable, so this recognition is a great encouragement to me.

What has astounded me is the effect it has had on my family and friends. My wife and youngest daughter, Yvonne and Amelia, now run at parkrun almost every Saturday as well as our two good friends Annabel and Maria. On top of this my middle daughter Jennifer, now living in London, always runs with us when home at the weekend and my son Richard is now going to the gym with the aim of starting running as well. Who would have ever thought this possible when four years ago I was on crutches having broken my patella tendon while hill walking needing two operations to put me right.

Firstly thanks to all the great people at Norwich parkrun for their support with special thanks going to Richard who is the key driving force in this very successful parkrun. Many thanks also to Sweatshop, a hard working family business, for sponsoring parkrun and for their kindness in giving me a free pair of running shoes. I will run in my new shoes with pride!

Thank you,
Stephen Thomson

Dear parkrun,

I received the Valentines parkrun Sweatshop prize for December 2011. Thank you to all at Valentines parkrun (race directors, volunteers & runners) for considering me and keeping this great event going. Roll on Valentines parkrun anniversary.

My wife Caroline and I use parkrun as part of our training and it has introduced us to many wonderful, friendly people and really built up a sense of community out here in East London/West Essex.

I am always evangelising about parkrun and hope to hook in a few converts. In the meantime I look forward to my weekly parkrun and also visiting other parkruns during holidays and family visits.

Thanks to all parkrunners everywhere.
Ian Cummins.

Hello parkrun,

I am a happy, geriatric runner recently recovered from an arthroscopy in my left knee and I THINK I can return to parkrun this Saturday. It will be my 50th parkrun at Brighton and Hove, so it is a special one but it might be very peculiar and I haven't told my surgeon.

Wish me luck!
Louise Schweitzer.

Hi Paul,

I see I got a mention in last weeks newsletter. No, I’m not a parkrun tourist. I moved to Sydney with my work in October 2010 and waited 15 months for parkrun to catch up.

It seems like there are fewer and fewer places on this planet that are not being conquered by parkrun!

Congratulation on creating such a successful event!

Matthew Morgan (joint winner of the first ever parkrun)

Hello Paul,

I was the parkrunner of the week in the newsletter of 27 October 2011. At that stage you reported that I had lost 2 stone 2 lbs in weight and that my time was 29.06. Since then, I have now lost 4 stone 1lb and my time went down to 25.47 in November 2011.

I suffered a hamstring injury later that month, but have been back running over the past 3 weeks - pacing last week at Bromley at 30 minutes. I volunteered throughout the time I was injured.

I think the whole concept of parkrun is fantastic. All the best and thanks for bringing such a wonderful event to fruition.

Best wishes,
Jane Greenfield

Hi Paul

I have just read Sally's email (of Wimbledon) about her worries of coming in last on her maiden parkrun. Can I tell her there is no disgrace coming last - the thing is that you entered, tried hard and finished. Well done. Think of all the thousands of people living in Wimbledon who didn't take part and you beat them all! Do have a go at volunteering too. It's great fun being a Marshall and being able to smooth the passage of thundering feet along the route; and the thanks you get from happy finishers make you glow inside although you are freezing cold outside from standing around a chilly venue.

By the way, I am a returning runner having joined Medina Isle of Wight parkrun. I have been out of the fray for many years (now 75 and rapidly approaching 76!). I used to be quite a good club runner in marathons capable of approx 6 minute miles but that seems to have long gone and my best is now sub-12 minute miles but improving. My son came to support my efforts in last year's Gt South Run which persuaded him to get back into it himself.

Many thanks for a truly inspirational event around the UK and overseas. Anyone holidaying on the Isle of Wight will be given a very warm welcome if they come along to Medina parkrun for a run alongside our river.

Best wishes,
John Langley

Hi Ray,

I am very excited to have reached my hundred!

I would never have believed that I could run having never run anywhere near 5k before I started running at Bushy parkrun. I am sure a lot of people say it, but running has changed how healthy I feel. I had high blood pressure diagnosed when I was 18 but an now on half the medication I was on 10 years ago.

Thanks for all the team's dedication every sunny Saturday morning,
Alison Todd

Dear Paul,

My wife and I are regular parkrunners at Banstead Woods, but are spending 6 weeks in Christchurch, New Zealand (unfortunately no parkrun yet).

New Year's Eve we were in Sydney (3 weeks before parkrun started there!). We found out they were doing some practise runs. Turned up at 7.30 am after a 2 stop train journey from Sydney Central, and met with Paul and Aaron, the Sydney parkrun Event and Run Directors, 1 local runner, 2 tourists from Glasgow parkrun, 7 runners in all. They ran the course with us, which is a one lap course, beautiful but very hilly! We were give the most tremendous welcome, coffee after, and an invitation to join Aaron and his family to watch the New Year's Eve fireworks! Beer, champagne and food, we had only just arrived in Sydney not knowing anyone! Just shows parkrun is like one big happy family.

I'm sure that with people like Paul and Aaron involved, Sydney parkrun can only be a tremendous success, and we wish them all the best for the future.

Kindest regards,
Melvin and Ria Trundley

parkrunner of the week

Name: George Furmage
Club: Wee County Harriers
Age: Old enough to know better and young enough to care (ok, ok 40).
Home parkrun: Falkirk parkrun.
Occupation: Betting Shop Manager
Number of Runs: 17
Number of times volunteered: 13
What do you do at parkruns: Working on getting to under 25mins! PB sitting at 25:01 (I am sure the timer was faulty that week!). I have done some marshalling (free cakes at the end is not advised as something to shout to the runners as they pass, especially if there isn’t any!), tail runner is strangely rewarding (I have really enjoyed helping runners just get round and survive the course, which in the early days is a massive achievement for every runner) who knew running slower than usual could be so rewarding!. I have also kept times manually which is great fun especially being able to give some runners their times instantly (albeit not as accurate as the official times, probably). I also setup the run with the rest of my clan and have never once thought what the heck are we doing here on a Saturday morning (although, I think my daughters have on occasion, I think I have a sixth sense for recognising this, either that of their cries of "can we go now!" gives the game away).
How has parkrun changed your running: See the photo above, 12 months apart and pleased to say parkrun helped with the change. After enquiring about parkrun, I got invited to the first 2 trial runs, thanks JK, and I have been to every parkrun at Falkirk to date. My wife asked about volunteering and from event 1. I run and my wife and 2 girls volunteer. It has become "our thing" that we do as a family and on the odd occasion they are not required for volunteering, its grumpy faces all round. My wife Susan has even got into the running and has ran a few times and even tail ran. I blame, if that’s the correct word, parkrun for making me a better runner helping me to achieve all my running goals this year. Just recently myself and Susan were privileged enough to be asked to join the core team (yeah kids that does mean an earlier wakeup call on a Saturday morning). I'll be the first to admit I found the transition from runner to more volunteering hard but one that I am finding easier (honestly!). parkrun has changed my running by helping me go faster and giving me more confidence in my running and it has also changed my views on running. Saturday mornings were all about the run for me, but now it’s more about the community spirit and helping/seeing the runners achieve something that means a lot to them! (Corny and cheesy I know but very true)
What do you like about parkrun: I love the camaraderie and friendly competitiveness, everyone wants each other to do well as long as they don’t beat them (c’mon folks you know it’s true). I have been on the start line many a time saying have a good run and under my breath saying as long as you don’t beat me! But beat or be beaten, once you've crossed that finish line, rivalries are forgotten and everyone is willing each other to have had a good run. Last week someone passed me on the now infamous Heartbreak Hill at Falkirk, I was determined to keep up with him and got a new PB, I thanked him for pushing me to which he replied no thank you; you actually pushed me. This is for me the spirit of parkrun, everyone willing each other on to do their best (and yes I will get him next week!)
Most memorable or funniest parkrun moment: Most memorable would have to be tail running as the grim reaper (running blind, quite literally!). Funniest has also gotta be the same parkrun, seeing runners trying to run seriously dressed up must have got us all some weird looks!

Thank for picking me as your parkrunner of the week. It will end my first year of running on a high. But, I must say that the real thanks must go to all the volunteers and runners who make parkrun what it is, especially the members of the core team for all their hard work week in week out. So many thanks to JK, Spikey, Douglas, Derek, Lynsey, Les and David

Anita's Rubrique

Bonjour 2012!

This is my first 'rubrique' of the year and what an exciting year is it going to be!? The parkrun calendar of new events is already filling and the first 6 months is showing that plenty of new communities out there have been working hard to get parkruns off the ground. I am also getting super excited about the numerous sporting events on the calendar in 2012.

My last two weeks at parkrun have been very busy as I have been supporting two new teams in East London to launch their new events this Saturday. Quite interestingly, although we like to say that it usually takes from 6 weeks to 6 months to start a new parkrun, these two new events have taken more than two years to become a reality. Sometimes all the conditions required to start a parkrun are just not there and we prefer allow the time for the situation to evolve… and thankfully this has been the case!

So here we are, two years later and I am pleased to say that the London Boroughs of Tower Hamlets and Bexley are finally going to have their respective parkruns! They will be the 28^th and 29^th parkrun events in Greater London. Wow! It was only almost exactly 2 years ago that parkrun only had 30 parkruns… in total!!

Firstly, and as always, I want to thank the local Event Directors for both events: Carole and Craigie-Lee at Mile End parkrun and Mel at Bexley parkrun who have stepped forward to manage these events. They already have some support from some great volunteers but do need more help to build strong communities of volunteers (please feel free to email both volunteering teams here: MileendHelpers@parkrun.com and BexleyHelpers@parkrun.com).

Secondly I would like to thank both Councils for giving us permissions and facilitating the volunteers work in many ways. Hugh Elsegood, Senior Sports Development Officer at Bexley City Council has been crucial in getting this parkrun possible and will also volunteer on Saturday.

I know that both teams are very nervous and excited, and I wish them good luck and to enjoy themselves before everything. I will be at Bexley parkrun, Danson Park, on Saturday and can't wait to see the team again.

Some possible new events need you!

A few other parkrun projects I am working on need a few more volunteers to take things to the next level : Northampton in the East Midlands and in Greater London: Havering, Wembley, Dulwich Park, Barking, and Lewisham. Get in touch with me if you can help get these possible new events started: anita@parkrun.com.

My French Mot du Jour is : Felicitations, which in English means congratulations.

Happy parkrunning,
Anita

Reminders

Barcode reminder

Barcodes are used at all our events to record your result. No barcode, No result!

All questions answered

Do you have a question about parkrun? How do I collect my club T-shirt? How do I get my barcode? All your questions are answered here.

Volunteering at parkrun

We ask every parkrunner to volunteer 3 times a year. When volunteering you receive the maximum number of points towards the yearly competition.

Upcoming anniversaries celebrations

Forest Of Dean Juniors - 4^th Feb
Bolton - 4^th Feb
Coventry - 4^th Feb
Frimley Lodge - 11^th Feb
Cardiff - 18^th Feb
Valentines - 18^th Feb

Children at parkrun All children under 11 must be supervised by a parent or guardian. Guardians must ensure that children place themselves appropriately so as to prevent a situation where they are being repeatedly overtaken at the start. This is to ensure the safety of your child.

the parkrun show

You can download your copy of the parkrun show here. (iTunes) The parkrun show is the audible roundup of the "goings on" of everything that caught the teams eye from the weekend in parkrunworld. Brought to you by Marathon Talk.

Our Sponsors

all out performance

adidas has been focused on athlete’s performance since the first running spikes were made in the 1920’s earning the first Olympic gold medal in adidas shoes. Today, adidas is proud to be supporting parkrunners everywhere. Explore adidas running adidas.com

Helping people be the best they can be.

For 39 years, Sweatshop the award winning running store, has been helping runners find the perfect products for their individual needs. Find your closest store at sweatshop.co.uk

Fuelling You to the Finish Line

Lucozade Sport has all the tips and advice you need to have a great parkrun - come and find out more at lucozade.com/running

Our Supporters

Inspiring runners of all levels

For information on all events organised by the London Marathon, please visit london-marathon.co.uk

Delivering your results earlier

For information on the company powering the mobile messaging, please visit aql.com

Connecting parkrunners everywhere

For information on the mobile communications company, please visit three.co.uk

Supporting parkrunners everywhere

For information on the Lloydspharmacy, please visit lloydspharmacy.com

Wed 02/01/2012

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weekly newsletter - 26th January 2012

Welcome to this week's newsletter

In this weeks newsletter we welcome two new members of the 250 club, say hello to loads of new, fresh parkrunners and events and hear some great feedback from the field.

Congratulations to Mark Gratton and Simon Greenhill on achieving their 250^th parkrun’s. This amazing achievement makes then the seventh and eighth members of the exclusive parkrun 250 club. You can see a full list of all the members of the 250, 100, 50 and 10 clubs here.

There was another amazing turnout at parkruns across the world last weekend with over 16,400 parkrunners all completing their 5k bright and early on Saturday morning. 3,708 new members were welcomed to the parkrun family and there were 9 course records set. 44 runners ran under 17 minutes while the rest of us didn't, which basically proves the point that it's more popular to run slower than it is to run faster! Jog Scotland remain the club with the most members registered with parkrun while Stockport Harriers is fast catching up the other leaders. If you are interested in more statistics and other useful parkrun resources then Crispy’s resource page is worth a peek. Final set of statistics for this week is the list of events that smashed their weekly attendance records:

Aberdeen - 130
Abingdon - 91
Albert Melbourne - 87
Basingstoke - 224
Black Park - 360
Brockwell - 169
Bromley - 338
Colwick - 155
Delta - 65
Eastleigh - 290
Gunnersbury - 160
Heaton Park - 287
Highbury Fields - 40
Hillerød - 27
Huddersfield - 209
Leamington - 178
New Farm - 189
Newport - 204
Poole - 273
Sheffield Hallam - 315
Southwick Country Park - 129
Valentines – 84

St Peters parkrun in Australia kicked off with a blast. Well done to all involved. Interestingly, Matthew Morgan, a member of Belgrave Harriers, came fourth! What is interesting is this is the same Matthew Morgan who was joint first place with Chris Owens on the very first Bushy parkrun in October 2004. Not sure what he was doing in Australia, perhaps he is a parkrun tourist? We are expecting our very own David and Sharon Rowe to attend the St Peters parkrun in the next couple of weeks now that he has completed the mammoth Challenge Wanaka in New Zealand in 10 hours 40 minutes.

We also witnessed the inaugural Gdańsk parkrun who face slightly different weather conditions to that in Sydney Australia. Nevertheless, 15 brave runners turned up for the first event making a perfect parkrun. Well done to the local parkrun team and Jakub for the second Polish parkrun.

Congratulations also go to Harrogate parkrun for successfully fielding 134 parkrunners of which 51 were running their first parkrun, on their first event. My personal stalker, Steve Darby managed a second place while the wonderful Nicola Forewood made absolutely certain that everyone got around the course. Thanks to the Hyde Park Harriers and Harrogate Harriers and all the other clubs that supported the kick off of this event so well.

This week we welcome the start of Eastbourne parkrun, a parkrun specifically supported by Lloydspharmacy. Joanne and I plan to take part in this inaugural event and are looking forward to saying hello to as many of you as possible.

Happy Running!

Paul from parkrun

Stephen Lee, winner of adidas VLM competition

Seems a little while since I'd been in touch so thought I would just drop you a quick email - not so much an official update, but a bit of an idea of where I've got too.

In terms of running, since November I've been trying to build up the mileage a little, particularly the long run. An 8 mile run at the end of November, then onto a 9, a 10, an 11 and finally a 14 miler the weekend before Christmas - this was my longest run ever!

Having got that far and on schedule for my highest yearly running mileage, I took a week off to rest, recuperate, and celebrate over Christmas!

I soon got back into it though with a 13.5, 10 and 14 mile run in the first three weeks in January. The real work is due to start on 16th January, with a specific 14-week VLM training schedule.

Thanks for all the support from adidas and parkrun.

Stephen Lee

Event News

We have had some great feedback from the events:

	Swindon parkrun is cancelled this weekend as the park is being used for a round of the CaniX UK championships.
	Pontefract parkrun is cancelled this week due to a cross country championships taking place in the park.

Drop me an email if you have an interesting parkrun related fact, happening or comment that you would like to share with all parkrunners.

Feedback from the field

Hi Paul,

I just wanted to say a massive well done and good luck to Debbie, the pregnant runner in featured in last week's newsletter. Running at 37 weeks is a fantastic achievement. I managed to keep parkrunning until 32 weeks last year and everyone at Basingstoke parkrun was incredibly supportive, including Euan.

I came back to parkrun when my baby girl was 4 weeks old and the reception I received was wonderful! Little one is 4 months now and I've missed just 2 parkruns since coming back as I'm on the march to 100. Hopefully she'll be there when it happens.

Louise Smith

Dear Paul,

Congratulation to the parkrun team on achieving a million parkruns, and on doubling participation during 2011.

I calculate that if participation continues to double annually, then in less than 20 years the entire world will be running every Saturday. (Of course, volunteering will by then be done by robots.)

I hope you have started thinking about the 1000 Club T-shirts: I aim to be the first Eastleigh parkrunner to get one.

Best wishes for the future,
Gareth Jones, School of Mathematics, University of Southampton

Hi Paul,

At the beginning of the year I volunteered to pace at Eastleigh parkrun for the 35 minute slot. On the very last lap with about 350 meters to go, a marshal shouted; "You've lost all of your ducklings!". They were all there on the previous two laps?

Last week parkrun "my ducklings" all stood beside me at the start and asked if I would try again for them - this time they all came in under 35 minutes.

What a difference a few weeks can make.

Andrew Smith

Hi Paul

Having completed a couple of 10k charity runs over the last 18 months which I enjoyed but basically jogged/walked my way round, I made my mind up that I wanted to join a more regular form of running which gave me incentive and enthusiasm and hopefully improved my ability to actually run!

I stumbled on the parkrun website last year and was overjoyed to read that there was an event at Wimbledon Common but was hesitant in coming along on the basis that I was worried that as a relative novice and over 50 years old that I might embarrass myself in coming last. However, I took the plunge towards the end of last year and immediately started to chat to other parkrunners who were very encouraging, some of whom were as novice as I was. I completed my first parkrun on the 26 November and was absolutely exhilarated! I felt so chuffed with myself it was quite an emotional experience.

I have since completed 5 parkruns and I’m steadily improving and look forward to the run each week. In fact it’s one of the highlights of my week!

I’ve also put my name down to volunteer as none of this would have happened if it wasn’t for the volunteers that give up their time to organise and arrange the event.

Many thanks parkrun,
Sally

Hi Paul,

My 17 year old son Charlie was delighted to receive the monthly Sweatshop prize at the Milton Keynes parkrun recently. He stood up and took a bow in front of nearly 300 people.

He is now the proud owner of some lovely new trainers although, having Aspergers, he does not really like new anything so I hope they will get worn!

I would like to thank Gareth and the team at the Milton Keynes parkrun for giving Charlie the award and also for all the support and good humour they (and David Millett from MKAC) have shown since Charlie started his first parkrun nearly 50 runs ago.

The Milton Keynes run is a beautiful run along the canal and around the lake which Charlie has run in anything from 23 to 35 minutes depending on his mood and how many stray dogs need to be rescued! Thank you parkrun and thank you Sweatshop.

Regards,
Jenny (Charlie's Mum)

Hi Paul,

I'd like to express our thanks to Clare Kelly from Heaton parkrun.

Clare has been one of our Run Directors at Heaton parkrun for the last 2 years. She has now decided to take a break. She has 3 young boys and spending time with them is really important.

Clare has helped out with almost every role at parkrun even taking the minutes from our meetings (I have said she may have to carry on with this role). I think the only role Clare hasn't done is the time keeping, and her help on the finish line getting everyone in order will be greatly missed. Clare has a big heart and I know she has loved every minute. (She may not miss the freezing mornings though, ha,ha).

Clare is definitely going to missed by all our runners and volunteers at Heaton and we all wish her well for the future.

Thanks Clare from everyone at Heaton.

Rick Bennett, Event Director, Heaton parkrun

Hello parkrun,

My story is how my son stepped up to the mark at the age of 10 to be the volunteer run director for the day. I am super proud of him and it is a great example to all the parkruns of how rewarding it can be.

Fantastic job!

Regards,
David Harker

Hi Paul

At the Bramhall parkrun on Christmas Eve, I was surprised and pleased to hear that I had been awarded a voucher for a meal for two at the Beluga restaurant in Bramhall, a local business that supports us.

Apparently this was awarded for my contribution to the event, placing the signs on the course a few times.

Just last week I went along to Beluga with my daughter Jen (PB on 14.1.12) and my wife (no parkruns yet!) and had a really great meal.

Thanks to Beluga and to the Bramhall parkrun team who arranged it - I'd better keep putting those signs out and see what else comes my way!

Cheers,
Matthew

Hi Paul,

Just felt the need to write this email. I did my first ever parkrun today in Belfast Waterworks and I had a fantastic time. The community and encouragement from the volunteers and the other runners was amazing!

I really, really enjoyed it, what a fantastic concept. Keep up the great work.

Regards,
Eimear McCurdie

Hi Paul

Firstly must I congratulate you, the many teams of volunteers around the UK, & of course my local parkrun team in Poole for the parkruns provided every Saturday morning, thanks.

On Saturday January 7^th I found myself at a bit of a loose end and not able to run in my usual home parkrun in Poole.

With no local parkrun available, undeterred I donned my running kit and did my own parkrun. Not unusual I hear you say, this could be bracketed under a parkrun freedom run.

What was unusual was my location, Montego Bay Jamaica.

I had run a 5k course a few days earlier and just missed my Saturday morning parkrun so much I decide to do my own Jamaican version of parkrun, albeit on my own.

Ok there were no markers or barcodes to scan but I hope I kept to the spirit of parkrun and did a respectable time of 30:20 considering it was 30 deg and a hilly course.

I also got talking to a few Americans, Canadians and some of the locals whilst in the hotel and pointed them at the parkrun website direction, hopefully spreading the word and getting parkruns going in more venues around the globe.

Perhaps other parkrunners have been in my situation and have other exotic or strange locations they done their own parkruns in.

Keep up the good work

Alan Walker

Hello parkrun,

As regular parkrunners, we were keen not to miss out when we travelled down from Hull to Slough for a weekend with friends.

Having excused ourselves on Saturday morning, we made our way to Black Park, only to discover that, unlike our usual haunt, we needed to pay for parking, and you guessed it, we hadn't brought any money! Feeling very disappointed, we were about to get back in the car, when 2 lovely ladies, having spotted our predicament, presented us with the required amount.

So thank you to those ladies who's names we didn't catch, and thank you to the Black Park organisers for a great run in the woods.

Regards,
Peter Draper and Sarah J Wilson

Hi Paul,

I have just returned from my first trip to Aberdeen... for the parkrun, of course!

Congratulations to the Aberdeen parkrun team for the organisation and their great welcome to visitors.

It is so well organised, that it is hard to believe that they have only been going for four months. I recommend it to all parkrunners, providing they do not all go at the same time! They will find a fast (on a calm day) promenade course, with great views along the coast.

The parkrun team then hosted a 'haggis hurling' competition on the beach as part of a Burns' Night celebration, breaking most of the strict rules of the Haggis Hurling Association. Breaches of the code included the use of a vegetarian haggis by some competitors, the use of a swede, and suspect measurement practices. A repeat event will be closely monitored by the H.H.A.

Seriously though, it was a great day, and thanks to Aberdeen for your efforts!

Regards,
Peter Fordham

parkrunner of the week

Name: Nikki Linford
Club: Bedford Multi-Sport
Age: 37 ( my secret is out now!)
Home parkrun: Bedford parkrun
Occupation: Drug/Alcohol Outreach Worker.
Number of Runs: 15
Number of times volunteered: 12
What do you do at parkruns: Tail runner, marshalling and general cheerer on to all runners!
How has parkrun changed your running: I am gradually getting a bit faster and am now entering more races and can also run round the course without walking now!
What do you like about parkrun: Everyone is very supportive whatever speed you go at and I have made some good friends from it and I like to give encouragement to the slower runners.
Most memorable or funniest parkrun moment: Being chased by the now notorious gang of Bedford parkrun swans. On the day they decided to chase me I was the tail runner and carrying all the parkrun signs so had major problems moving out of their way. I have never moved so fast at parkrun and it also gave the dog walkers and the couple sitting on the bench a laugh watching me dragging the signs behind me!

Crispy Corner

Out and about Many thanks to Nicki and the fantastic crew of volunteers at Riddlesdown who made Mary and I feel so welcome on Saturday. There seemed to be a marshal with a friendly smile and shout of encouragement on every corner. We headed over to The Good Companions for coffee afterwards, who set a new record for lowest price for a cup of coffee and tea - £2 total! There may be cheaper post-parkrun coffee spots, but we’ve not encountered one yet – can any event beat that? And many thanks to whoever supplied the chocolate cake it was lovely. And finally, I would just like to plug their fantastic run reports. Please have a look - brilliant! And apologies are due to Gunnersbury parkrun, in all the confusion in the run up to Christmas I forgot to mention our trip there, which was also fantastic. It was a chilly day but the great team spirit made up for that. It always amazes me how many fantastic parks there are in this country – Gunnersbury parkrun somehow manages to take in sports fields, wooded trails, formal gardens and water features. Thanks to Arlene and all the marvellous volunteers at Gunnersbury. I’m very much looking forward to our next trip up north – I’ve been hoping for a parkrun in either York or Harrogate for some time, then by a bizarre coincidence they both start in quick succession – York will be on its third run on Saturday, and Harrogate its second. A dilemma which one do we do first?
Reminder Please remember we have no special rights over and above any other park users. As a highly obvious presence in the parks, it is very much in everybody’s interest that we behave impeccably, even if we suspect they are being deliberately obstructive. We do depend on all parkrunners to be our eyes and ears out on the courses. If you see anything of concern, please let the organisers know.
Coming soon Our friends at Loughborough and Imperial will be embarking on a major academic study of parkrun in very soon – we will announce full details in this newsletter – please stay tuned we will be looking for lots of volunteers. Cheers & happy running Crispy