It’s the end of January, it’s cold, dark and bleak however the spirit at Frenchfield is anything but.
Lots of people have dragged themselves out of their warm beds and made their way to their favourite activity of the week – Penrith Parkrun.
As ever, there are the amazing volunteers, out early to pick up the rubbish abandoned round the pitches by the footballers, and to mark out the course so everything is ready for the parkrunners.
It was also Eden Runners first Parkrun Champs of the year so there were a lot of green and blue tops. Alex Heron proudly modelled his original Eden Runners vest which he has had since the club’s inception in 1996.
Parkrun is a tourism thing and we had visitors from Scotland, Cheshire and Lancashire and almost certainly further afield as well.
Natalie and Ian Palin, from Ormskirk brought along Ian’s mum, Pat to celebrate her 80th birthday with her first ever Parkrun (it is never too late to take part!)
And Sarah Duff, from Kilmarnock, could think of no better way to kick off her 50th birthday than with a first appearance at Penrith Parkrun entering her second half century in style with husband, Gordon.
Also celebrating his birthday was our joint Event Director, Doug Huggon. Great to have you back again, Doug!
Milestones are recognised and Pat Evans reached her 250th Parkrun.
It has taken 15 years and Rich Dixon, another volunteer, arranged for a Tray Bake from 4Eden Bakers to mark the occasion. It was delicious. If you have an upcoming milestone why not go to 4Eden to get a cake to share with your parkrun friends?
It being the last Saturday in the month, Shiona Anderton was there to promote 5K Your Way.
She asked me to mention that Ian Teasdale from the group (and run director at Keswick Parkrun) will be on Claire Balding’s Ramblings on BBC Radio 4 on Thursday talking about his Terminal Hillness project to walk all the Wainwrights following his diagnosis of incurable bowel cancer.
I ran my first full Parkrun today since coming back from injury and I was greatly helped in this endeavour by Billie Langstone, five years old from Eamont Bridge, who was running her 24th Parkrun.
For much of the time she was scampering about in front of me like a busy little spaniel and must have actually run about 6 or 7k. Dad, Kevin thinks she was trying to trip him up but she certainly kept me entertained and also achieved a PB.
Many congratulations, Billie. I look forward to seeing your times creep upwards and it was such fun watching you today.
I can’t complete this report without mentioning one of my personal heroines and friend, Wendy Cannon.
About 18 months ago, Wendy had to have a stoma fitted. Once she was able she was back running again, swimming in Ullswater and completing marathons.
She did the Berlin marathon in September shortly before having an operation to reverse the stoma.
Unfortunately, this was unsuccessful and Wendy had to undergo further surgery to fit a permanent stoma shortly before Christmas.
Nothing stands in Wendy’s way and she is back running gently again, proudly wearing a stoma bag cover in Eden Runners colours made by Elaine’s Stoma Covers. What an inspiration you are, Wendy!
A full list of participants, results and volunteers can be found at https://www.parkrun.org.uk/penrith/results/latestresults/
Report: Alison Rowsell
