A crisp autumnal morning saw 239 people running, jogging and walking 5k at Frenchfield.
For forty of those, it was their first time at Penrith parkrun and 8 of those were doing their first ever parkrun.
Twenty-nine different clubs were represented and 27 new PBs were recorded.
First man home was Borrowdale Fell Runner, Bill Stewart and Eden Runners, Steven Agar and Harry Lancaster were 2nd and 4th home.
Harry was pipped by Rachel Brown of Western Tempo who recorded a new PB whilst Emma Chadwick of South Leeds Lakers and Amy Rothery were 2nd & 3rd women home. Both Emma and Amy were running at Penrith for the first time.
Full results can be found at https://www.parkrun.org.uk/penrith/results/latestresults/
As ever the event relied on volunteers to take place and among the 28 people helping out on Saturday were Doug Lawson and his 10-year-old daughter, Milly.
Milly’s mum, Kimberley was also present but as a runner completing her 6th Parkrun and celebrating a new PB.
Before the pandemic Kimberley used to support Doug and Milly as they ran at Frenchfield but during lockdown she decided to follow the Couch to 5K as she decided that if her daughter could run 5k then there was no reason why she couldn’t do so too!
We always get a good number of visitors to Penrith parkrun and Saturday was no exception as a college architectural reunion brought several runners to the event.
Paul and Isabel from Dundee were joined by George from Bournemouth, Andrew from Bradford doing his first ever Parkrun and Kate from Prudhoe. All were spending the weekend in Dufton and reckoned that quick 5k was a good addition to their weekend.
If you are wondering what to do with your Saturday mornings, why not come to Frenchfield and find out what parkrun is all about. As one marshal told me, she can no longer run but she just loves being amongst all the parkrunners.
Alison Rowsell
