Welcome to this week’s newsletter

 

I made some progress on my quest to run at every parkrun last Saturday as I found myself in Great Yarmouth. This brings my tally of parkrun events to 17, three events behind the joint leaders Roy Reeder and Chris Cowell. Joanne Muir-Little just edges me out of the top three by one event. My run at Gorleston brought back memories of the early days at Bushy Park.

 

Due to the nature of the volunteer team and the placement of the course, everything seems to operate at a gentler pace (apart from the running which as you all know is furious no matter where you are) at Gorleston. Chris Harbord, (aka crunchy), Dave Kelf (aka dung beetle) and a number of the team met us the night before for a quick catch-up after which we decided to fuel for the event. While I insisted that we all use the Lucozade sport products, I was overruled and we ended up in a curry house. I suppose it goes without saying that I knew exactly what I had eaten the night before when I approached the 4km mark.

 

On a positive note, clearly running at sea-level assisted us as Chris, Mary, Jo and I all did impressive times.

 

We were blessed with 21 new Age Grade records and the following course records this week:

Richard Ward stays one ahead of Rachael Elliot with 53 wins

 

 

It is that time of year again (as the eagle eyed amongst you will have noticed – what could I be referring to?). This year with Christmas and New Year’s Days falling on a Friday, it’s more confusing than ever, so we’ve done a full roundup of all the special parkrun activities over the festive period.  This can be found on http://www.parkrun.com/crispy.aspx which also includes a downloadable PDF of the Christmas Calendar.  Full details will be available in due course on all event’s news pages.  Please check there for the most up to date and detailed information.

 

As you will see, first out of the blocks, we have Leeds who will be hosting the St Gemma’s Hospice Santa Dash this weekend.  parkrunners are more than welcome to join in: entry to the event is £12.50 for adults (which includes a Santa Suit) and £5 for children (who are asked to come along in festive fancy dress) and also includes refreshments after the race.  This is a fun festive run with a fantastic atmosphere so do join us.  To register call Laura on 0113 218 5570, email laurar@st-gemma.co.uk or visit http://www.st-gemma.co.uk/santadash/index.html

 

The following week on 19^th, quite a few events are holding special festive runs, which we are sure will include mince pies and Santa hats.  Wimbledon are running theirs in aid of the Whiz Kids charity.  Albert Park in Middlesbrough are organising a handicapped race (open only to Santas) – Andy wants us to let everyone know that entries must close this coming Saturday (12^th), so get your skates on and check out http://www.parkrun.org.uk/albert/news.aspx now.

 

On Christmas Day itself, Banstead, Basingstoke, Bushy and Glasgow are all putting on extra runs – if you are anywhere near any of them, W can thoroughly recommend them – it’s a great way to start the day, and lets you feel thoroughly smug when you help yourself to an extra portion of Christmas Pud later in the day.

 

Most events are putting on their normal events on 26^th, with a few exceptions (in particular if you live in the Manchester area a complex series of exchange visits has been planned – pay close attention to their websites for more details)

 

On New Year’s Day Banstead, Basingstoke, Black Park (near Slough) and Bushy are all putting on yet more extra events; these events traditionally give everybody a chance to get their resolutions off to a flying start.

 

Finally, most events will be back to normal on 2^nd January, with a few exceptions (again, particularly with the 2^nd leg of the Manchester area merry-go-round).  Wimbledon Common parkrun (our second event) will also be celebrating its third anniversary.  Happy birthday Wimbledon!

 

Phew!  Whatever you’re doing over the Christmas period – please do try to get along to one of your local events; and if you’ve got family and friends visiting, drag them along and introduce them to parkrun.

 

 

 

The following simple guide is part of a series of irregular articles which made an appearance on the Glasgow parkrun news pages recently.

 

Each week you'll have heard someone asking (telling) you to "stay in the funnel" "keep moving" and "stay in order" when you've crossed the finish line.   This is the Funnel Manager.   Their job is to make sure that the runners stay in the taped off area (aka The Funnel) after crossing the line until they have received their token.   The runners must receive their tokens in the order they crossed the line to make sure everyone gets the right time.   So next time you are bent double at the finish line and some joker tells you to keep moving, smile, thank them for volunteering, stay in order, ... and keep moving!

 

 

 

I know that you love your local parkrun event and that most of you take part to help you get up and out of bed on a Saturday morning, but why not tap into Lucozade Sport Scientist, Gareth Turner’s running knowledge to help you get a little extra this Saturday when he pops in for a pre-Christmas visit to the Wimbledon Common parkrun.

 

Gareth will be there to help you out with products from the Sports Nutrition range as well as offering top running advice to help give you an edge each and every time you run.  Make sure you get to the race in plenty of time and have a chat with him.

Good Luck - Edd

 

 

 

 

 

Name:    Beverley Barry

Age :    Over forty!

Home parkrun:    Banstead Woods

Occupation and pastimes:    Teach arts and crafts to adults with learning difficulties.   Cycling 300 miles through Jordan next month for charity, silversmithing, pottery, cooking and eating!

No of runs:  None!   (Not quite sure how I got to be the parkrunner of the week!)

How has parkrun changed your running:    I enjoy watching people run more than ever before!

No of times volunteered:    23

What do you do at parkruns:   its great fun helping so I don't mind which job I'm allocated.   I was very nervous at first but everyone is so friendly and helpful that it makes all the roles enjoyable.  I was petrified the first time I took the photos in case they didn't turn out well, but now it's one of my favourite jobs.

What do you like about parkrun:    The best part of parkrun is the people!   Everyone is so enthusiastic and happy to help others. 

It's a real family event and there are always lots of families running together - the onus is on enjoyment rather than it being a competition. Having said that my hubby, Tony, and boys Jamie and Ben are always excited to see whether or not they have managed to get a PB!

Most memorable or Funniest parkrun moment:    It's always great to see the youngsters running with their parents - some of them are so tiny and they look so thrilled when they complete a lap!   I was extremely proud of Jamie (who isn't a runner) when he got a PB under 30 minutes because Melvyn Trundley had run with him and encouraged him all the way, and 'gob-smacked' when Tony won the Sweatshop prize of a fantastic new pair of 'run faster' trainers earlier this year. And it always amazes me when Ben and his friends beat so many fit looking people who are so much bigger than they are!

Anything else:    I'd like to say thank you to all the team who organise the Banstead Woods parkrun.   They are so dedicated and make Saturday mornings so enjoyable for so many people.   Someone told me that for something to become a habit you have to do it 21 times - so I guess parkrun has become a family habit for us!

 

 

 

Dear Paul,

My name is Brian Dunphy. I'm an Irishman and I found myself living in Brighton & Hove for 12 months last year. During that time the B&H parkrun became an intrinsic part of my weekend and indeed experience of English life. Friendly, enthusiastic and damn competitive sums it up. I am now living in the beautiful but parkrunless city of Galway, in the West of Ireland. I receive the weekly letter and each time lament the fact that there isn't something similar in operation here. Running/endurance sports have never been more popular so I'm sure it would be a success. However, I don't know how long I'll be living here and am therefore reluctant to start something that I couldn't see through.
So, I suppose this mail is to thank you for your efforts and possibly to enquire about the logistics of spreading the Word at some stage in the future.
God speed,
Brian 

 

 

Hullo Paul - I was ' volunteered' for my first Parkrun in November 2009, after completing one of Rachael Woolston's Fitbitch Boot Camps: taking part was our Grand Finale, complete with celebratory Breakfast in the Hove Park Cafe.   What a brilliant idea - I'm hooked!  As a ' mature' runner for over forty years, I seriously enjoyed the complete democracy of speed and age, combined with the pleasurable discipline of being clocked. The atmosphere of friendly competition, shared sport and efficient organisation is truly inspiring and I would like to run as often as my cartilages allow..... With grateful and appreciative thanks from Louise Schweitzer.

 

 

Dear Banstead Woods team,

Wow! Thank you so much guys – you’ve just made my day!

 Funnily enough I was in Sweatshop in Teddington last Friday being fitted for a new pair of running shoes, but as I’m currently training for the London marathon (my first marathon attempt!) I was advised to return by March as I will by then be needing yet another pair! Looks like the shoes I’ll be running in for the London Marathon will be as a result of all those early morning Banstead runs – especially in the November rain!!

 The Banstead park run has been a fantastic discovery for me and as a new runner it has been just what I needed to help me meet other like minded people and have a focus for my running. Everyone involved in park run and especially all of those who organize the Banstead event should be really proud of themselves – it’s a fab event and much appreciated by me and a whole load of other runners. Thank you for the effort and hard work you have all put into it so far.

Kind regards and many thanks.

 Andrea.

 

Dear Glasgow team,

 Thanks very much for the early Christmas present, that’s a pair of running shoes off the list! I took part in my first parkrun in February and was immediately hooked. Ironically that was the one that I got most points in despite it being my slowest (maybe I should have given up when I was ahead)! I have made many new friends through both running & volunteering & the relaxed friendly atmosphere each Saturday is so encouraging especially to new runners. In addition the age grade percentages are an added incentive to keep us older ones going. My Saturdays wouldn’t be the same now without the run (or volunteer), chat & coffee afterwards

Once again, thanks to everyone one at parkrun for such a splendid event & in particular the “regulars” at Glasgow.

 Tom

 

 

Hello,

I don't know if anyone's emailed you already, but I thought you should know that Florence Taylor got a pb in her 50th run, on her 16th birthday at Bushy Park on the 5th December!! That must be worth a mention somewhere? :-)

Love the parkrun!

Best wishes, Gillian.

 

 

 

 

Another request from our friends at Charing Cross Hospital:

I am a physiotherapist trying to find out if taping your ankle helps tendon injuries. Thank you to all those who have already volunteered for our study. We are still looking for more people.

-Do you have a painful Achilles tendon?

-Are you otherwise healthy?

-Aged between 18 and 90?

-Do you have a problem with your Achilles tendon?

If you are able to give up 1 hour of your time to come and see us in London and you would like further information, please contact me, Bridget Firth, at the Department of Physiotherapy, Charing Cross Hospital, Fulham Palace Road, London. W6 8RF using e-mail:

 

I’m continuing the slow process of adding in automatically generated (and slightly mad) memorable phrases to those runners who don’t have one.  This is for the benefit of all runners and in particular for the poor volunteers who operate the results computers.  If you don’t already have one, please beat me to it and follow the ‘edit profile’ link at the top of this column.  Memorable phrases are always best if they are memorable and distinctive; so please do not use your own name (we already know that) or your favourite run (we know that too), please try to think of phrases others are unlikely to also use.  If you don’t like your current phrase or you don’t think it’s distinctive enough you can change it via the same link.

 

Kevan Wilkinson becomes the second person to beat his challenge target. Additionally, the other runners are making excellent strides towards their targets, with over a third of them (34) beating their previous PBs.

 

 

I travelled up to Gorleston on Saturday with Paul, Jo and Mary – it was great – fantastic weather and a really welcoming team.  The curry the night before even inspired me to knock a minute and 20 seconds off my recent form. Hurrah! I wish them well with their Jingle Bell Jog on Boxing Day – everybody is asked to tinkle all the way round – I think they mean ring bells!

 

Cheers and happy running

Crispy