This week was a big parkrun for the latest set of runners to graduate from the Claremont Road Runners Couch to 5K training programme. Seven determined individuals had made it all the way to the last week, but unfortunately 2 could not make parkrun this morning (due to Covid and a bereavement). They will graduate with us shortly!
The other 5 did us proud with excellent performances on a warm, sunny morning at Leazes Park. It turned out to be a difficult morning for the Leazes parkrun team – not only were they expecting extra runners as there was no Town Moor parkrun, but they arrived to find that Urban Green had changed the locks on the store room without issuing new keys. Despite the lack of equipment – not only were there no hi-viz jackets, run route signs, cones or finish funnel, but there wasn’t even chalk to mark the route! – the Run Director and his team managed to get the event on. We will be forever grateful to Dave, Rose and everybody who marshaled (most of whom were Claremonters – including all of the previous C25K group!).
As well as our Couch to 5K graduates, it was a big day for Lena. Lena had requested a pacer to help her get under 30 minutes on her 50th parkrun. She needn’t have worried as she ended up with a veritable posse of supporters and smashed it in 28:52.
There was also a good turnout at the Central Bean cafe to help embarrass our latest parkrunners at their graduation ceremony. Thanks to everybody who has taken part in this C25K programme, whether leading, helping or just encouraging the participants – it is greatly appreciated.
To make it an even better morning at Leazes, there were PBs for David Devennie, Martin Jobling and Ay Okpokam, and a 2nd place for Kris Axon.
Elsewhere, Heather Steel was 1st lady at Gateshead, while at Jesmond Dene the results show Nikki Szlovak running a PB to finish as 2nd lady, narrowly holding off Sarah Kerr. However, Nikki had taken a wrong turn which she thinks turned into a shortcut, so has graciously said that Sarah was 2nd.
Alex Harding made a return to his “home” parkrun at the lovely Endcliffe Park in Sheffield and Alan Dunning was running in York.
Further afield, Brian Hegarty wa sin Berlin and Alice Vialard tried out another parkrun down under.