A glorious crisp and sunny morning greeted the 275 runners, joggers and walkers who arrived at Frenchfield for the 424th Penrith parkrun – a more typically seasonal feel than we’ve been used to in this mild autumn.
Perhaps it was the chilly conditions that lead to one in 10 of the field running personal bests, in an effort to keep warm.
The 28 wonderful volunteers, who made this week’s parkrun possible, had no such option open to them but their warmth and support ensure the rest of us can bask in a glow of achievement and quiet satisfaction. As ever, our thanks to them all.
One of the enduring delights of parkrun is welcoming visitors to our course and yesterday, among the 44 different clubs represented, we had folk from all parts, including experienced runners Abbey, Lynn and Paul from the Yorkshire Wolds, and Dave and his nine-year-old son Lucas from Preston – Lucas was running his 74th parkrun!
Many were here to take part in the Ullswater Trail runs over the weekend and were taking the opportunity to investigate a new Saturday morning course. Several commented, with some relief, on their surprise at our flat course compared to what they were expecting!
As for our regular local runners and volunteers, it’s amazing how the milestones keep coming: We had Jonathan Ridley running his 50th, Mark Evans his 100th (sneaking it in before his 12th birthday and inspired to run quickly by the promise of a magnificent cake baked by mum Ruth), and with a dedication that verges on obsession, Gary Bowers reached a magnificent 350 parkruns (and he was volunteering as a pacer too!).
Peter Fawkes deserves a special mention, and our undying gratitude, as he reached 150 volunteering stints. Remarkable.
Today’s parkrunners were lead home, unsurprisingly to regular readers, by Harry Lancaster in 17:44, followed Chris Neal, visiting from Barrow, in 18:12 and Thomas Nicholson in 18:52. The first female across the line was Emma Stuart in just her fifth Parkrun, in 20:05 with teenager Erin Barry in 20:49 and Jackie Lee in 21:12 completing the top three. Well done to them, and to everyone who was quick, slow, about average or just happy to be there – after all, that’s what parkrun is all about!
