A grey and cool start to the 350th Penrith parkrun turned into a warm and muggy run once we got going.
There were 232 of us, beginners and seasoned runners alike: children, teenagers and every decade up to the 70s, fast runners, slow runners, those out to stay fit and those proving to themselves they still have what it takes, those looking for personal bests and those just looking to make it to the finish line.
Most are from the Penrith area but there are runners from elsewhere too.
Running from near the rear I can see the pack streaming ahead. The young and fit out front, pursued by the more experienced, settling in through the first lap, many of them chasing their fastest times. The bulk of us follow, some with children, others with friends, some in the zone, others panting, some chatting, others focused. All of us giving our best.
I start overtaking a few people, some of them younger than me, and then I’m overtaken by 10-year-olds disappearing into the distance, and then by runners older than me! I keep reminding myself it’s not a race: enjoy the run, ENJOY the run! Find a comfortable pace and stay with it. It’s fun.
The field is opening out as I run past the football ground and take on a dad with his five-year-old. I’m feeling good.
It gets easier as I pass the start line into the second lap. I’m in no hurry. I’ve plenty of space around me and nothing hurts although I’m sweating now: I’ve got my second wind. Can I afford to speed up? I’m not sure.
There’s still a way to go. I look across the field and see the fastest runners crossing the finish line. Never mind. I’m feeling fine amongst those slowly getting fitter with every run, those who won’t be beaten by disease or injury, those who enjoy slow running, those who are quietly clocking up little achievements, youngsters and oldsters and all those in between.
I cross the finish line and I feel great.
I wasn’t anywhere near the fastest: that was Steve Rankin, a veteran of 109 park runs in his 30s coming in at 18 minutes, a time most of us don’t even dream about. But I finished and that’s what it’s all about.
I watch and wait for others coming in.
And last, and most definitely not least, the tail runner and the final runners are over the line: a reminder of a founding principle of parkrun, that we’re all winners and only the tail runners come last.
Running at any level is better than not running at all. I know, I’m a late starter. And it doesn’t matter how slow you go, you’ll never be as slow as the tail runners behind you.
If you want to try, register at https://www.parkrun.org.uk for your barcode. It’s free and easy to do.
