A cool and cloudy start to the morning soon gave way to bright sunshine, bathing Frenchfield in golden, autumn sunlight, beckoning park runners from far and wide……and far they have acome!
All the way from Adelaide in Australia is Ingrid Thompson, a retired nurse, aged 70.
Originally from England, Ingrid moved to Australia at the age of 12. She has been spending time in Europe prior to joining friends in Penrith, recently completing the Berlin marathon in the fabulous time of 5:11:13. Well done Ingrid, and we hope you have a fantastic time here in the heart of Cumbria.
We were also joined by father and son duo, David and Daniel Sutherland, all the way from the friendliest city I know, Glasgow.
On holiday here in beautiful Cumbria, the pair needed their weekly fix of parkrun fun. Both David and Daniel attained parkrun PBs, 22:31 and 19:33 respectively. Great running!
Another parkrun tourist this week was Charlie Marshall from Wetherby, completing the course in 22:04.
Charlie is hoping to complete Whitby parkrun in a fortnight’s time. Given the time of year, I can’t say if this is a deliberate ploy to meet Dracula at the abbey or simply enjoy the eerie atmosphere, but either way, have spooktacular fun!
Local boy, Joshua Slater, seven, completed his very first parkrun. Running alongside his mum, Joshua completed the run in a time of 35:54, a very big well done to you!
We were also joined today by our parkrun Events Support Ambassador for mid-Cumbria, Adam Campion. Adam is a champion for parkrun and all it stands for, instigating several new parkruns in West Cumbria.
This was his second time running the Penrith course, and it was particularly poignant as he remembered his late-friend, David Robinson (a former DH Runner), who died a few days after completing his 100th parkrun alongside Adam, here at Penrith in 2017.
It was also the final fixture in the Eden Runners parkrun Championships. The green and blue flag was certainly flying as many club members lined up at the start in a bid to gain those all-important points, and even better, PB points.
PBs were obtained by: Amelie Marshall (19:07), Kathryn Metcalfe (20:12), Sally McCullock (20:16), Katy Bower (25:12), Dorthe Villadsen (27:04), Gill Allan (27:52), Michelle Sutherland (27:58), Carol Harvey (29:29). Well done to everyone involved. Lastly, but certainly not least, a shout out to David Shipley who completed his 200th parkrun today, congratulations, a big achievement.
