Glorious sunshine on a Bank Holiday weekend meant for a bumper turnout at the 447th Penrith parkrun.
At 9am on Saturday morning 343 enthusiastic runners, walkers and joggers lined up behind the start line at Frenchfield raring to go.
The volunteers, many of whom are here every week, always deserve recognition but one is worthy of a special mention.
Ruby Pattinson, on her sixth birthday, was out on the course with her dad Adam high fiving people as they went by.
Saturday brought up a century of parkruns for Karen Morley-Chesworth, her 91st at Penrith, so congratulations to her.
Francesca Barber had travelled all the way from Vancouver to take part. Originally from Manchester, she was here with her family – parents Paul and Jeanette, brother Greg who’s completed an amazing 571 parkruns, sister Laura and Laura’s boyfriend Callum who finished in a very creditable second place with a time of 16:44.
Not to be outdone by Callum, Laura was second female on the day in 19:35. Obviously an energetic family they were off to go kayaking on Ullswater after the parkrun.
It was a special day for my clan too as we were enjoying the first family weekend since lockdown. Penrith parkrun was never going to be missed so six Liddells were in attendance – Rosie and me, sons Sam and Jack, nephew and son Alan and Ted, with Sam taking the honours in a time of 19:10.
This really was a day for family gatherings. Nick Austin was there with daughters Sophie, Maeve and Maeve’s partner Matt. They had supporters Rebecca, Guru and Hannah all the way from Norway to make up a magnificent seven!
We were pleased to welcome a road racing cyclist, Lynn Hamel. One of her finest achievements was to finish second in the World Age Group Championships in 2015, held in Denmark, only four seconds behind the winner. She had to retire from cycling due to suffering from dystonia but is now enjoying her running.
The last Saturday of the month always sees representatives from 5k Your Way taking part. They encourage people affected by cancer to take part in or volunteer at a local parkrun. Sarah Newby and Shiona Anderton were here and they encourage people to check the website movecharity.org for more information.
James Salt was quickest on Saturday in 16.14; the first female was Lucy Brain in 19:17.
For the full results and to find out more please visit the website www.parkrun.org.uk/penrith, the Facebook page or email penrith@parkrun.com.
