On a cool and breezy morning 208 eager runners, walkers and buggy pushers lined up for the start of the 370th Penrith parkrun at Frenchfield.
This event cannot take place without the willing volunteers, 31 of them on Saturday, who turn out in all weathers to lend their support. A special mention must go to Petrina Cassell on her 50th time as a volunteer and Peter Fawkes clocking up his 100th.
One of the features of the parkrun is that it attracts people of all ages and abilities, some running, some jogging along chatting at the same time (how do they manage it?), and some walking. Today the ages of the 208 participants ranged from the under-10s to the over-70s. First home was Andrew Douglas of Eden Runners in a time of 18 minutes 29.
One of the younger runners was 10-year-old Holly Relph from Great Strickland. She ran with her mum, Ann-Marie, finishing in a time of 29 minutes 43. She said that she does parkrun to get fitter and better at swimming.
An even younger runner was seven-year-old Harry Robinson from High Hesket running with his dad Craig. He finished in a very fast time of 28 minutes 51. He’s a member of his school’s running club who also enjoys playing rugby and cricket. His aim is to one day be first home at Penrith parkrun!
A group of 11 representing Parkinson’s UK also took part. David Little, who has Parkinson’s himself, told me that the group tour Cumbria over the summer months to do as many parkruns as they can to raise awareness of the condition. The youngest member of the group, Emily Atkinson, was a little non-committal about how much she’d enjoyed the run, but she finished it – well done Emily. I hope you had a great 10th birthday on the following day.
Two Eden Runners achieved notable landmarks today. Garry Bower completed his 300th parkrun in a time of 22 minutes 56 narrowly missing out on a Penrith PB. This was his 46th run at Frenchfield; his first ever Parkrun was at Oldham on March 8 2014. Linda Stamper, also running her 300th Parkrun, finished in a time of 23 minutes 57. Well done to both.
One absentee from today’s event was regular participant, Julia King, so we couldn’t sing Happy Birthday to help celebrate her 70th birthday. We all hope it was a good one.
Penrith parkrun happens 9am every Saturday at Frenchfield. If you are interested in becoming involved either as a runner or volunteer then please contact our website www.parkrun.org.uk/penrith, our Facebook page or by emailing penrith@parkrun.com.
