The Richmond parkrun was a very special occasion. Event Director Karen Weir presented the male points prize, a silver trophy donated by Ranelagh Harriers at the start of this parkrun, to Shelly Instone.

Stephen’s widow, was there to receive the trophy and to present the new Stephen Instone trophy to this year’s winner Duncan Brown. This new cup will now be presented each year to the men’s points winner while Shelly will hold onto Stephens award in perpetuity.

Full details of the celebration on are on the Richmond parkrun news page.

 

One thing unites us, our passion for running. If that passion stretches as far as running the Virgin London Marathon then we have the competition for you. Now in our 9th year supporting the race, we have helped thousands of runners just like you across the finish line and would like to help you realise your very own personal dream. We’re also offering a place in Team Lucozade Sport to support the lucky runner through the journey with bespoke kit, expert advice, and tailored products.

If you want to hear it from a real parkrunner, here’s what Chris Bassett (Bushy parkrun) thought of our team – “I can honestly say that being part of Team Lucozade Sport gave me a real boost and helped me push on with my training and the advice on post training recovery has really paid dividends over recent weeks.”

Sounds like something for you? If so, head to the Lucozade Sport website to find out more.

Good luck and happy running.

 

There is a surprising change at the top of the standings as Leeds steal the lead from Gorleston Cliffs. Well done to Leeds and the rest who finally woke up to this challenge!  There are still a few parkruns who haven’t entered the challenge. It’s not too late to make a difference.

Leeds    363
Gorleston Cliffs 344
Heaton Park       253
Cardiff 232
Brighton & Hove  
Richmond Park 163
Bramhall Park 111
Bushy Park  95
Glasgow   92
Albert Park  85
Basingstoke 83
Reading 60
Black Park  50
Edinburgh 30
Bedfont Lakes 18
Bromley 9

 

This month sees the launch of three new parkruns. Last week Sunderland became a reality. This week Edinburgh splashes on the scene and at the end of the month we will see the first North London event in the form of Finsbury Park. Anita is working on a large list of possible parkruns and we need your help with a few of these. If anyone is interested in assisting at the following venues then please drop Anita an email

·         Greenwich parkrun

·         Portsmouth parkrun

·         Swindon parkrun

 

In addition to the Facebook group page, parkrun now has its very own Fan Page on Facebook – sign up to be a fan and get updates of the latest happenings in the world of parkrun around the country and beyond – and post your message and photos on our wall. Sign up today at www.facebook.com/parkrun

Also, if your event does not have a Facebook or Twitter account then chat to the event director to encourage them along.

 

After a second event at which pacers were in action at Bushy Park, they are to become a regular feature, running on the second Saturday of each month. parkrunners were full of praise for the pacers, who run wearing bright coloured tabards displaying their target times, and attributed some excellent PB's to their help.  The target times may vary each month, but depending on the pacer volunteers.  Following the format introduced in Richmond Park, Bushy will try to run about five different pace times from 20 minutes upwards. If you would like to get involved on the pacing team, or have any comments or suggestions about pacing, contact Andy Pillidge via email on andy.pillidge@btinternet.com

 

We are pleased to announce that in addition to including the Monthly Sweatshop Prize Winners in the newsletter each week, we will now display the list of this month’s winners on the Sweatshop page under Sponsors tab on the parkrun.com website:  http://www.parkrun.com/sponsors/sweatshop.aspx

 

Just thought I would let you know how admired the 'Amazing Parkrunner Award' is in the office. Most other people have their BAFTAs on display but I have my magical little glass block. Thank you so much.
Sally x

 

Hi,
I am a trustee of the charity, After Adoption, which is organising a 10K run in Hyde Park on 15 November. I attach a flier with more details and, as you will see, the run has all the usual requirements of chip timing, prizes, bag store etc. My reason for writing is to ask if there is anyway your great organisation could possibly help promote our run? For example, could you maybe put details on your website or a link to our registration site? I appreciate that this is beyond your normal role but After Adoption is a small charity which, among other things, helps place the more disadvantaged children (older kids, family groups, disabled etc) who could otherwise grow up in care. So any help you can give us in promoting our charity and the run would be very much appreciated.
Regards
Anneli

 

Name: Sarah Lintern
Age: 32
Home parkrun: Officially & traditionally Bushy, but newly adopted Bedfont Lakes
Occupation and pastimes: Publisher, avid runner, cyclist (recently completed LEJOG solo and unsupported) and now additionally a swimmer (stress fracture pushed me into it!)
No of runs: 18 in total, as follows: 11 @ Bushy, 1 @ Wimbledon Common, 1 @ Brighton & Hove, 1 @ Basingstoke, 1 @ Roundshaw Downs, 2 @ Banstead, 1 @ Richmond Park
How has parkrun changed your running: parkrun has been an important part of my running training ever since I stumbled across it back in February 2007 - although I've only managed to attend regularly since I moved to the SW London area last year. I've competed for PBs (20.50) and for fun - dressing up in fancy dress on numerous occasions (a witch, Cinderella & a police woman!). parkrun is a serious tool for my training and a fun social occasion too.
No of times volunteered: 9
What do you do at parkruns: I've paced (at Richmond!), marshalled, number checked and mostly done registration... I was on crutches for 4 weeks and had to do a sitting down job, so registration it was! Finally off them now, so have started doing more active volunteering tasks again! It's been really frustrating being injured, but parkrun has given me stability and something to look forward to each week. I'd urge anyone who's injured to volunteer!
What do you like about parkrun: Everything! From the running itself, to the volunteers, friends, weather, laptops, parks, kids, elites, deer, ducks, cake, the swimming in the Lake beforehand and lots lots more. These days I miss it if I don't get a parkrun fix each week! Quite frankly if it didn't exist I might not get out of bed on a Saturday! I'm very much looking forward to recovering from my injury so I can get out there and finally run Bedfont Lakes course!
Most memorable or Funniest parkrun moment: Glenn from Princes Club undertaking the responsibility of lead bike in his suit and being overtaken by the lead runner as he struggled to cycle fast enough!
Anything else: Just a massive thank you to Paul for setting up such a brilliant thing. And a really really big thank you to Heather Martingell (and all the other Martingells for that matter!) for her enthusiastic and ever smiling determination at making Bedfont parkrun the best it can be. 

Now here is an interesting picture of Sarah.

 

Thanks to everybody who has agreed to join me in setting themselves the challenge of beating a specific time by the second bank holiday weekend in May. Most of the runners who have joined in seem to be in the same boat as me; they are currently off form, and are looking for that extra push to get back on form. If you need an extra push, I’ll happily add you to the list (mail me as below with your target time) – remember this is for all running abilities, whether you want to go sub 16, sub 20 or sub 30 – you’re all welcome. Those who have taken up the challenge, now have their own results table at http://www.parkrun.com/results/challenge.aspx. If you know anybody on the list please give them every encouragement. Best wishes to you all.

 

After anniversaries at Bushy and Leeds the week before, this week it was Richmond’s turn. When I opened the curtains, I thought it was going to be cold and wet, but in fact the morning proved to be remarkably dry and warm. The Richmond team put on a fantastic event, so well done to them all. As I was running round, I pondered over how different in character all the different events are. So I finish my short column this week, with the recommendation to get out and about and try a new event if you get the opportunity. If you’re visiting friends or relatives and you know you’re close to a parkrun, get them to register and introduce them to their local parkrun family.

 

Cheers and happy running

chris@parkrun.com