We may be in the middle of a heatwave but that did not deter the 189 runners, joggers and walkers from turning up at Frenchfield for parkrun.
The sun was high in the sky and a gentle breeze fanned over the green lawns that make up our parkrun site as the volunteers set up in preparation for event no 363.
A late call out on Facebook ensured that all key positions were filled to ensure a smooth and safe experience for everyone. The bright sun and warm temperature meant there were only seven PBs recorded. For most, simply getting round and enjoying the run out was the aim.
Parkrunners love to visit new parkruns and it being holiday season, we had 37 new visitors to Penrith. One was Kath Jump, a member of Blackburn Road Runners who completed her 50th parkrun and we also had newly-weds, Chris and Barley Seal. Poor Barley had injured her back falling from a wicker hanging chair but bravely got round ably supported by our tail walker, Heather Heron.
It was good to also have four people taking on parkrun for the very first time including mother and daughter, Jodie abd Abigail Cass from Maulds Meaburn.
I caught up with them afterwards and both said they absolutely loved it and have promised to come back. Mum Jodie had never run before and finished in a very respectable 29:24. Sixteen-year-old Abigail is a pupil at Sedbergh and is starting to train for one of the schools big events.
One of the very best things about parkrun is the stories you hear and today we were very honoured to have the wonderful David Collet who is in the middle of running 1,000 miles from Land’s End to John O’Groats to raise funds for the Overgate Hospice in his home town of Halifax.
David sadly lost his wife, Deborah, to cancer last year and was supported by Overgate Hospice. It was Deborah who got David into running and this is his way of paying tribute to her. He set off from Land’s End on July 3 and will reach John O’Groats on September 13.
His route has been carefully planned so that he can visit 10 different parkruns and give each of the first home one of his special Collett Jog T-shirts.
Eden Runner, Charlie Harding was today’s recipient, having also achieved one of the few PBs. David, who was 60 last week is supported en route by his son, Jacob and today had a friend, Lyndon, alongside. You can find out more about The Collett Jog and follow David’s progress on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/TheCollettJog
You can also donate to this amazing cause either by scanning the QR code on his shirt (ingenious), if you happen to see him running by or at his JustGiving page. https://justgiving.com/fundraising/collett-jog
As ever, we are extremely grateful to all our volunteers and if you would be interested in finding out more about Penrith parkrun, please visit the website at parkrun.org.uk/penrith. A full list of results can be found at https://www.parkrun.org.uk/penrith/results/latestresults/
