Saturday was the 499th parkrun at Penrith and before next week’s celebrations we can have a look at the people who make it all possible.
It’s 7.15 am and the organising team are already at Frenchfield. Andrew Hodgson and Dave Evans are busy setting up the finish area and the first lap split, ably supported by Paul Wilson and Petrina Cassel.
Andrew has already made sure that tea, coffee and chocolate are ready for the finishers and together they fill the hot water urn.
Next the marshals’ radios need to be charged up and checked. When all the cones, tapes and tables are positioned it’s time to litter pick and check the safety of the course.
At 8am, Dave Roberstson and Dougie Huggon, the race directors, arrive. They have already checked and rostered the marshals earlier in the week but volunteers on the day are always welcome.
Next to arrive are the marshals themselves, the selfless yellow jacketed guardians and encouragers, people of all ages from 13 to 87. Some great sporting legends among them, although they are too modest to admit it.
The pacers in their blue tops with a time on their backs generously giving their own time and ability to pace those individuals who want to achieve a better time. The finish team responsible for timing, positioning and recording over 300 individual results.
Promptly at 8.50am, the announcements are made by the ever jovial Andrew Richardson, visitors are welcomed and new runners are embraced into the parkrun family.
Pacers are introduced, the marshals thanked, milestones are announced, special groups are promoted and then: laughing and smiling, the assembled throng heads to the start line for their two lap, 5k fix.
Within the next hour, over 300 runners will have completed the course, had their time and position recorded and shortly after will receive an email with today’s results. And it all happens because of the volunteers.
In a week that will see a memorial bench to the late great Harry Patrick, who ran, marshalled and sorted the finish tokens with his gang of ‘urchins’. Rachel Hewson and Jamie Beaton who were visiting and from Harrogate ran and then volunteered to do this onerous task with great good humour.
Running volunteers included the Parkinson’s awareness parkrunning crew from Carlisle who are travelling to parkruns across the north of England to raise awareness of this terrible affliction.
And finally let’s not forget the parkwalker and the tail walkers who make sure that they come last so that you won’t.
It’s like being a part of one big fun family. A great place to get involved with your community, make new friends and keep fit in a relaxed, supportive and friendly environment where you can challenge yourself to be the very best version of you. See you next week!
