Welcome to this week's newsletter

Not a week passes without a surprise.

Mostly I am surprised by the goodwill and generosity of our volunteers and by the many emails I receive thanking us for parkrun. This week's surprise was different: an attack from a member of the UK Athletics community.

Alan Elders, secretary of Low Fell Running Club, has decided that parkrun is all wrong. It appears he feels that clubs are being unfairly treated by UKA in their support for parkrun versus their support for clubs and therefore calls for parkrun to be boycotted. You can read his gripe here: http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/athletics/4996251.Call_for_Parkruns_to_be_boycotted/

Unfortunately, the article is full of inaccuracies.

Firstly, we pay for a licence from UKA.
Secondly, we do not provide prizes for performances. All our prizes are completely discretionary and our awards mostly go to those who persevere (i.e. the parkrun clubs awards).
Thirdly, parkrun is not a race. parkrun is a timed 5k run in a park.
Fourthly, we do not take monies from runners and as a result do not pay levies to UKA.
Lastly, everyone taking part in parkrun does so for free and at their own responsibility.

Mr Elder has written to clubs and has called for them to boycott parkrun. I'm not entirely sure what this means but as a member of two clubs and a parkrunner I expect that parkrunners will vote with their feet. Feedback from the Event Directors and associated clubs is contrary to that which Mr Elder reports. Club membership is growing where a parkrun exists and race attendance is not affected or actually increases, where these races are not the same distance. In a survey we did of parkrunners , we found that more than 6% of respondents had joined a running club since their first parkrun. I make no apologies for offering a free 5K event to get more of us running and enjoying a regular community event open and inclusive to all.

I have always stressed that parkrun supports clubs and local races. We know that parkrun has grown a large volunteer base who regularly attend at local races too. These folks perfect their skills in a low stress and community environment where they have the support of many and then some go on to offer these skills to commercial race directors. Our Event Directors make every effort to publicise local commercial races and to encourage parkrunners to take part.

We do wish that Mr Elder would try out a parkrun and talk with a few parkrunners and other clubs before writing to the press – I think that we'd find we have much common ground. I'm sure he'll be able to recruit some new members! Fortunately, we live in a democracy where everyone can express an opinion. I am grateful for the overwhelming support that we get from you. If anyone wishes to discuss this or any other issue with me then please feel free to contact me directly.

Special offer to parkrunners celebrating our London Marathon partnership

The BUPA London 10,000 is presented by the London Marathon and is run on the course likely to be used for the 2012 Olympic Marathons. Unfortunately, online entry for the 2010 race has now closed. However, at least 100 parkrunners are guaranteed an entry if you take part in this competition.

The London Marathon have provided 100 exclusive, guaranteed entries to parkrunners for this race which takes place on the 31st May 2010. If selected, you will be able to enter at the usual cost of £25.00.

To be in for the running, we will select the top 100 parkrunners who apply who demonstrate the best volunteer record.

To apply, please drop me an email with your name. The competition will close on the 21st February and we will notify all the winners by the 28th February.

Women, Start to Run!

Want to get into regular training with a group? Would you like to improve by training with other women?

It’s not too late to join London Heathside’s ‘Women - Start to Run' sessions in Finsbury Park. The sessions run for six Sundays, until 28 Feb and offer an introduction to group runs for beginners and improvers with structured sessions leading up to an optional Heathside 5-Mile Road Race on Sunday 7 March. They’re also a great way of getting in the mood for parkrun’s regular 5k races in Finsbury Park on Saturdays.

Meet at 10.30 at the athletics track entrance in the park, near the café. Cost: £2 per session. For more information see London Heathside’s website, www.londonheathside.org and hopefully see you soon!

Glasgow parkrun supports their runners

We've a group, led by Jennifer Welford, planning to run our event on 20^th February to raise money for the Make A Wish Foundation.

Make a Wish help grant magical wishes to children and young people fighting life threatening illnesses. You can find out more, and support Jennifer's fundraising efforts (www.justgiving.com/teamjen-5k) and Make a Wish Foundation (www.make-a-wish.org.uk)

Jennifer's also a finalist in the Miss Universe Scotland competition(www.missuniversescot.co.uk/glasgow.html )

Lucozade Sport Fuelling Your Future Running

Thanks for everyone who entered the competitions last month for our race places, I'd like to offer four more runners something a bit different this time as we head into the (hopefully) warmer months. Following the success of last year's Spring Marathon Seminar, we've two pairs of places for a similar event on Saturday 27th February to offer. If you've one in mind and want to hear from the best, simply email me with your name, daytime phone number and nominated friend, putting SPRING MARATHON parkrun in the subject box; entries will close at 12pm on Tuesday 16th February with winners notified by 12pm on Wednesday 17th February.

Congratulations also go to Jo Dooley, Nick Britten, Sue Caratelli, Julia Finill, Francesca Yardley, Andrew Horne and Emilie Giles who won places in the adidas Silverstone Half Marathon and Reading Half Marathon

Good Luck! Edd

Event News

We have had some great feedback from the events:

	Another record breaking week for parkrun with 3,673 runners taking part and over 1,000 new parkrunners registered.
	Coventry parkrun kicks off with a bang at 101 runners.
	Cambridge parkrun settles in with 85 runners and 8 helpers.
	Cardiff to celebrate their second birthday on the 20th Feb. Everyone is invited!
	Edward Takata takes his 26th victory at Cardiff parkrun.
	Roundshaw Downs parkrun request you wear red as they celebrate Valentine’s day.
	Lucozade Sports Scientists will be in attendance at Brighton, Bromley and Glasgow parkrun this weekend.
	The Bushy blast in the park captured the attention of 614 of you!
	Pacers at Richmond all come in on time but Andrew takes the cupcake.
	The winning pair at Richmond parkrun, both gent and lady, were chased all way round the course by the cops!
	Wilmslow vets Rob Downs, Malcolm Fowler and Stuart Parrott made it a one, two, three for the Cheshire club this week in icy conditions at the Bramhall parkrun.
	Black Park has moved to the barcode registration system now.
	40 First timers, including Gary Frater (Event Director) make their debut and 59 of 167 runners secured a PB on the flat Edinburgh parkrun course.
	Glasgow secured their largest ever field last Saturday (269) as did all our newest events.
	Top age grade of the week of 88.14% goes to Jack Langman who ran at Coventry
	Basingstoke trialling barcode only registration system this weekend so please remember to bring along your barcodes
	This week saw 27 sub 17 minute performances
	Aly Dixon set a new ladies course record at Sunderland (17:33) Johanna Jones 22:02 (F) and Harry Fowler 17:24 (M) set new course records at Cambridge

All these and more parkrun stories are available on the events news pages.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

Thank you all very much. From my "first practice" run of over 35 minutes in the summer last year, to see if could actually run 5k without stopping, I'm now down to 25.54 in 20 starts. I am very glad I was introduced and persuaded to start doing the parkrun. I try and make every Saturday that I am about, and now get annoyed when I can't get out and run.

Thank you again.

Jeremy Hawke

Hi all,

Thank you so much for the prize - you've really made my day! Hope I can make it 3 PBs on the trot tomorrow!

Thanks again,

Cathy

First time I've ran this event (Glasgow), thoroughly enjoyed the experience, although the hills are a challenge, but luckily for me I had my secret weapon, Harvey (he was the one in the spotty outfit ) to help me on my way. Incidentally he has slept all afternoon.

I thought this was a very well organised parkrun and everyone was so friendly. We'll be back to do another one.

Here's a pic of Harvey in action: www.flickr.com/photos/chrisupson/4334095149/in/set-72157623239584541/

Ally Robb

Hello Roundshaw Office,

Thank you for your e mail letting me know I have been selected as this month's prize winner

It is a fantastic prize and I am looking forward to getting measured up with my new running shoes.

I would like to put on record my thanks to yourselves, the whole parkrun team, volunteers, sponsors and anyone else who has been involved in setting up and continuing the parkrun experience.

It really has been the formula that worked, to get someone from a complete novice into regular running with all the benefits that brings.

Around 6 months ago I decided to try and vary my limited gym routine as it was getting slightly boring, by including 5 minutes of running on the treadmill, I was a bit wary as when I used to run on a treadmill a few years ago I suffered from sore shins so stopped and convinced myself that I couldn't run, and I had never run outside since I was at school, and even that was only the obligatory cross country which I don't ever remember enjoying.

I managed eventually to get up to being able to run for half an hour non stop on the treadmill, and saw the parkrun info being talked about on a Crystal Palace F.C. supporters website.

I was hooked straight away after my first run and have completed a run every time I have been able to since, one of the big features of parkrun I believe, is that it is very approachable and it gave me confidence that I could do it.

I really look forward to doing the runs every week, I have made some new friends via parkrun, some of which I now do training runs and a few other races with, I have managed a few 10k's and the recent 10 miler at Dartford, and I am now trying to convert my old friends and people I meet into new runners via parkrun.

parkrun has helped give me a new outlook on my fitness and new challenges for the future, I am doing my first half marathon in around 10 weeks time and have also entered a sprint triathlon at the end of the summer in Seaford this year.

As I write this I am a bit sore from my 17k training run yesterday, and still have to pinch myself to see how far I have progressed in a short time.

Thank you again for a fantastic event, it is really appreciated

Best regards

Tony

parkrunner of the week

Rosanne with her kids Charlie and Megan

Name: Rosanne Lightfoot
Club: Billingham Marsh House Harriers
Age: 46
Home parkrun: Albert Park, Middlesbrough
Occupation: Homemaker, sewing, reading, running and supporting my kids
Number of Runs: 60
Number of times volunteered: 7
What do you do at parkruns: I have marshalled, taken photos and recorded runners times.
How has parkrun changed your running: Until I was introduced to the parkrun, I never thought I would enjoy running, but now thanks to the sociable and supportive environment, I now feel a sense of achievement every time I complete a run. My self esteem and confidence have gone up ten-fold.
What do you like about parkrun: One of the many things I really enjoy about the parkrun is the fact that it is a family activity. My kids are teenagers and finding something that we do as a family is great. We have made many new friends and consider ourselves as part of the parkrun family. Since starting the parkrun I have joined a local running club, becoming a Billingham Marsh House Harrier. I now run regular 10k's and have brought my PB down by 8 minutes to 56.20in the last year.
Most memorable or funniest parkrun moment: I have enjoyed many memorable moments. The 1st time I ran under 30 minutes with Andy and the team shouting and cheering me on. Not long after achieving my 1st goal I then ran the course without being lapped, my pb is now 26.33. In November I was awarded runner of the month and Andy regarded me has an athlete (which felt great). Perhaps my proudest moment at the parkrun was being named Female runner of the year, voted by my fellow runners.

Happy Running!

Paul from parkrun

Crispy Corner

parkrun on tour

After my all too brief week in the Swiss alps I figured it's time to remind everybody of the growing parkrun on tour gallery. If you happen to be going somewhere exotic, don't forget to take your parkrun club t-shirts with you (10, 50, 100, 250 or volunteer), take a picture and send it to me when you return with a description of where it was taken so I can add it to the map.

Barcodes

You knew it wouldn't be long before I hopped back on the soap box – yes, barcode only results registration is either already at an event near you or will be coming shortly – please help us by getting your barcode now and taking it with you to every parkrun. I have an urgent appeal from Basingstoke on this issue, one of their computers is down so they will be operating a barcode only results system THIS WEEK. Make sure you get your result by taking your barcode with you. Links to the barcode can be found in this newsletter email, in results emails, or in your initial registration confirmation mail.

New results system

After a couple of weeks of bedding in, the new results system seems to be working well – we've had a chance to iron out a few minor niggles, and will carry on doing so over the coming weeks. A few tips to help you find the information you need: try clicking on the column headings – they let you sort the tables as you want; try clicking on items in the table – most will take you to a new table; and finally all tables are now bookmarkable in your browser. If you find yourself repeatedly returning to the same table, bookmark it, then it's always a single click away.
As always, results corrections and queries should be sent to your event's office email address (found right at the bottom of each event's results page). If you find a problem with the results pages themselves (such as weird error messages, or broken links) - please let me know (email below).

Cheers & Happy Running

Crispy

chris@parkrun.com

Wed 02/10/2010

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