There is something different about parkrun over Christmas and New Year, not only the opportunity to take part in more events but often the joy of people taking part with their family and friends and in places new to them.
For the 223 participants and 33 volunteers, it was good to see the New Year start at Penrith in dry conditions, although underfoot it was a bit damp given what has sometimes seemed like never-ending rain.
However, the team of volunteers had, as ever, prepared early and well, with the “b” route option on offer which is always a bit of fun for the regulars and so for the 436th time at Penrith the walkers, runners, and joggers got ready to to go.
Visitors at this event included regular runners from Scotland, Shropshire, and even Carlisle, with an international participant from Sweden.
The usual cheerful run brief identified that Vicky Murphy, who often runs in Warrington was completing her 50th run, although rather sadly her special balloon to mark this was last seen heading towards Shap even before the run had commenced!
We also had two birthdays including Sue Birkbeck from Kirkby Stephen enjoying her January 1 birthday with her first-ever run at parkrun.
And so to the run itself, some squelching in the mud and puddle hopping ensued and it was Daniel Stansfield who was the first home, a regular Scottish parkrunner he was completing his first one at Penrith, doing so in a time of 17.10.
The first female home was Elizabeth Leason in a time of 19.40, she is a seasoned parkrunner – this being her 292nd run, her second at Penrith.
Out of those taking part 9 hit the start of the year on a high note recording a new PB at Penrith, they perhaps went to bed early the night before!
One of the great aspects of parkrun is the chance to chat afterward and discuss your run or volunteering stint, with the friendly atmosphere supported by the opportunity to have a cuppa and on this occasion the joy of a bit of festive Colin the Caterpillar cake, perfect post-run recovery food! The diet can start tomorrow!
If you have or have not made a resolution to be more active, walking or running, or support events through volunteering then parkrun is the perfect place to start. It is open to all, welcoming and fun and we can help you achieve your goals.
If you want to run faster – follow a pacer round – at this event, we had these available at 29, 28, 27, 25, and 20 minutes (although yes that is pretty fast!) If you want to have a social start to a Saturday come along and volunteer – you’ll always be welcome, you don’t need any special skills or knowledge and a lot of people will say thank you for being a high-vis hero who allows them to participate.
So 2024 is off to a cracking parkrun start and it’ll all happen again at Frenchfield on Saturday – hope to see you there!
