Syd Burns was volunteer marshal at Penrith parkrun on Saturday for the 350th time.
When asked what it is about Parkrun that keeps him turning up in all weathers on a Saturday morning Syd says it’s the friendliness of the people.
“At my age that is very important,” said Syd. Syd is 86 in February and is well known for his on-course encouragement to the runners and walkers (typically “Come on you lot”) and has a gift of putting a smile on many a runner’s face.
Syd took up the parkrun cause when he stepped back as chairman of Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team and having more time.
Syd has volunteered at other parkruns including Auckland and Boston and, closer to home, Sheffield, Birmingham, London and Bakewell.
Simon Knell completed his 300th parkrun on Saturday. Simon, a keen cyclist, wasn’t always a runner. After a ride one evening and taking some refreshment with friends he found himself having entered for the Great North Run.
Once he realised what he had signed up for, a half marathon, to get fit, he started attending parkruns. This was 2016 and Simon soon found running and parkrun addictive.
Working long hours driving a truck, Simon loves getting out on a Saturday morning and meeting and socialising with others. Like Syd he finds the people fantastic and has made many friends at parkrun.
“A stranger came up and congratulated me on 300 runs, said Simon. “I’m happy to be getting out every Saturday and looking forward to completing 500 runs.”
Syd also says he is looking forward to reaching the 500 milestone.
Other milestones this week were: five people running or walking parkrun for the first time. Alison Pescod and Wil Thorburn completed 50 parkruns and Rowan Varley 150 parkruns.
At Frenchfield, 268 people ran or walked, with 34 volunteers making the event possible. Many had entered the Christmas spirit with a variety of costumes on display – from elves to Santa himself.
Aaron Hoyle was first home in a time of 17:07 minutes, his first run at Penrith. First female was Heather Guy with a personal best time of 20:07.
For more details of today’s event or taking part see www.parkrun.org.uk/penrith/
