parkrun, 14th September 2013
Gateshead parkrun:
22:06 Mungai Wairia
Whitley Bay parkrun:
24:59 Luke Woodend
Albert parkrun:
19:33 Sumanth Nayak
22:36 Robert Brand
If you are after a parkrun PB, get yourself down to Middlesbrough Albert park, the oldest and fastest course in the North-East. Just a mile from the city centre, it consists of two flat, all tarmac laps around the perimeter of the park. Going strong for over five years now, it’s also one of the best organised (after Toonrun of course) parkruns I’ve done. There are very professional looking parkrun logos painted onto the paths at the start and finish, a fantastic pre-race briefing where runners’ achievements are cheered and a great visitor’s centre next to the finish with changing facilities and a café.
Don’t underestimate the little kids lining up at the very front. While a few of them went off like rockets and were spent after half a mile, five juniors finished ahead of me in the top ten. If you are looking for a more varied course, there’s Stewart parkrun a couple of miles away and Tees Barrage parkrun in nearby Stockton both of which I have yet to do.