Yet another week when we spread ourselves around – with Claremont Road Runners at 20 different parkruns! It is true that most stayed in the North East, though Niamh Garratt made the pilgrimage to the birthplace of parkrun – Bushy Park. Niamh was one of over 1200 runners, including somebody celebrating their 900th parkrun. Amazing!
The other tourists were on more familiar ground, visiting family. Dave Roberts was back on the beach in Northern Ireland, Gill Milne and Tom Tinsley were running round and round the park in Harrow, and Lily Crouzier was in her native Cheshire where she ran in Delamere Forest. Lily was impressed, calling it “the prettiest parkrun”. Having only run 4 parkruns, I think Lily is selecting from a fairly small sample, but, having run Delamere twice, I can confirm that is, indeed, a beautiful setting – I do like running in woods and around a lake.
There were some amazing runs too. Lena Lou knocked over 3 minutes off her previous best at Rising Sun, and recorded her best time ever at any parkrun. Rose Hawkswood also ran incredibly well – it is no mean feat to record a course PB at Leazes when the course is some 400 metres longer than usual!
Though not quite as eye-catching, there were PBs for Lucy Ward at Tyne Green and Aoife Campbell on the Town Moor. Harry Mawdsley was first over the line at Leazes, with Izzy Neatrour finishing as first lady at Fulwell Quarry.
There were some milestones too. Both Claire Taylor and Heather Steel made it 200 up – Claire at her home run in Wynyard Woodland, and Heather having a rare run with Paul at Gateshead. Keep on running, ladies, and you will be at 900 in no time!
