It’s dark when I get up. As dawn emerges, I can see a thick frost and smoke from neighbouring chimneys rising in vertical columns. Some of the 30-strong band of volunteers will already be setting up the course.
I’m a bit later today, I’m on pacing duty and arrive at Frenchfield at 8am. Pockets of cloud and mist are hanging over the frosted grass towards the river end of the playing fields.
It’s beautiful and I’m glad to be out. I help finish the set-up, putting out one of the heavy road closed signs that keep the runners safe. This morning I’m also the report writer as well as pacer.
We have quite a (collective noun required) group of pacers out this morning, all aiming to run at a steady pace to help those aiming for any of these times; 21,23,25,27,28 (me),29,30.
Around 8.40am I put on the blue pacers bib which displays a large 28 on the back and set off with fellow pacer David Spence for a one mile warm up around the main field. The air is cold on the skin but with no wind it’s refreshing. A band of mist is hovering over the river as we run along the far part of the course, we have to stop for a few moments to take it in.
Ready to go
9am and after the usual welcoming and often humorous pre-run briefing from Andrew Richardson – we’re off.
People often comment that it must be difficult to run to an exact time. With the help of technology, it’s actually quite easy. My watch display shows the average pace per kilometre that I’m running at so all I need to do is keep it at 5 minutes and 36 seconds. Five kilometres at that pace will give 28 minutes.
Sarah Wright regularly wears the 30-minute bib and tells me it’s a good discipline to be able to run at a steady pace to achieve her target time.
“I love to help runners achieve their goals and have got to know so many people,” said Sarah.
Another regular pacer, David Spence, echoes Sarah’s comments and tells me of the satisfaction felt when he helps runners achieve personal bests. It’s the same for me and a selfish reason too – it means I can run at a “sensible” pace comfortably and enjoy the run. If I’m not pacing then my competitive nature takes over and I run until it hurts always trying to catch the person in front – and there is always someone in front.
Today the person at the front was Jonathan Cox, first male home in a time of 17:55. Amanda Singleton was first female with her time of 22:38. For full results see https://www.parkrun.org.uk/penrith/results/latestresults/
Great achievements this morning for Julie and Jonathan Evans and Sharon Parker who all completed their 100th parkrun along with Petrina Cassell who volunteered for the 100th time.
Whether your first or your 100th, run or volunteering turn, parkrun can be fun and rewarding. 214 ran or walked this week, looked after by 32 volunteers. Volunteers are always needed, there are many roles to be filled each week. Contact [email protected] or see https://www.parkrun.org.uk/penrith/ for essential information about parkrun at Penrith.
