Millom parkrun celebrated its 300th event in style with balloons, cakes and an all time record-breaking attendance of 165 folk walking, jogging, running, pushing a twin buggy (respect!), stumbling or in anyway self propelling around Millom Community Track.
Joint run directors Milly and Shelley welcomed the bumper participants to the town with many returning visitors and 67 first time tourists from every corner of Cumbria including around 15 from Carlisle, a couple from Penrith whose home parkrun is actually in Italy, a significant amount of closer neighbours from Barrow and Ulverston plus those from further afield – Blackpool, Manchester, Durham, St Albans and Blackburn, to name but a few.
We were also pleased to welcome five new parkrunners to their first ever event!
After a brief(ish) brief, a huge thank you to the volunteers, a nod of appreciation to the parkrun weather fairies for stopping the rain and a reminder about the abundance of cakes available at the end of the run, the field set off – as Millom’s average sits at around 40 each week, it was great to see so many people winding their way around the track.
First to break the imaginary tape at the finish line was Darren Coward of Hoad Hill Harriers in 18:07, followed by Millom Striders’ Sam Moore in 19:01 and another HHH Charlie Jeffrey in 19:32.
For the ladies, Millom Striders’ Marion Wright-Rosie was first past the post in 20:45 with Becca Cleator (on her first ever parkrun) coming in second in 21:24 followed by Walney Wind Cheetahs’ Amy Singleton in 22:35. First Junior in was James Fulford in 20:36.
At the back of the field, tailwalker Penny Moreton bought the 300th event to completion in 57:35.
18 people recorded new personal bests (PBs) including Becky Willoughby knocking an amazing 11.5 minutes off her previous time (to be fair, that was in our mud days, prior to the track being laid), local lad Karl Fursey (well known as a distance runner but unable to make many parkruns due to work commitments) achieved his milestone 25th run – hope to see you in a purple tee or sporting a purple buff soon Karl!
The collection bucket on the cake table gathered a fabulous £95 which goes into the track maintenance funds and we were able to take some cakes into the Hub as a thank you to the Librarians for opening up half an hour early every Saturday so we can use the facilities.
After packing up, the volunteers retired to a busy Trackside cafe (huge thanks to Warren and staff for opening early to accommodate our increased numbers this week) for a well deserved and delicious breakfast.
Another parkrun record was created this week in New Zealand when Colin Thorn from Whangarei Parkrun became the first ever centenarian to complete a parkrun. Happy 100th birthday Colin. Brilliant achievement!
Make this coming parkrunday (aka Saturday) the day you start your parkrun journey – visit the website for your nearest parkrun www.parkrun.org.uk/events
