parkrun, 1st January 2026
Happy New Year.
In what is becoming a traditional start to the year, the monthly parkrun tourism was held at Blyth Links – with an optional dip in the sea afterwards. It is proving to be a very popular choice too, as no fewer than 23 club members ran, with another (me) marshaling. It was a bitterly cold morning, with wind-chill making it feel sub-zero, so well done to the 4 Claremonters who recorded course PBs, never easy in a crowded field. Perhaps it was the need to get around quickly in order to keep warm! Hats off (though I definitely kept mine on!) to Heather Steel, Aoife Monaghan, Alex Harding and Tara Hipwood. For Alex, it was also his 400th parkrun – what a way to start 2026. Luke O’Neill has some way to go to match Alex’s total, but 50 parkruns is a creditable landmark in itself. A special mention to the Hurdmans, who made it a family affair with Rachel being joined by her husband and two young sons – the first time that they had all ran together.
Afterwards, there were 5 hardy souls who got at least their feet wet in the North Sea. I suppose the water couldn’t have been colder than the air, but it still took some spirit (or madness) for Jack Shawcross, Aoife Monaghan, Sarah Kerr, Lena Lou and Gill Milne to remove some layers of clothing and paddle / swim.
Blyth wasn’t the only parkrun taking place on the North Sea coast, with Whitley Bay and Druridge Bay also hosting events this year, attracting 3 sky blues between them. Yet another trio of Claremonters joined in the fun locally, this time at Denton Dene.
Our intrepid explorer this week was Shilpa Iyanna, who ran in the snow at Ekebergsletta in Oslo – and I remember complaining of the cold at Leazes in the springtime!
As for Christmas Day, no club list is published, so apologies if I have missed anybody – please let me know and I will add you to the list.
| Blyth Links | |
| 19:04 | Jack Shawcross |
| 19:37 | Luke O’Neill (50 parkruns) |
| 21:31 | Heather Steel (PB) |
| 23:43 | Aoife Monaghan (PB) |
| 24:15 | Peter Noble |
| 24:19 | Alex Harding (PB, 400 parkruns) |
| 25:16 | Tara Hipwood (PB) |
| 26:21 | Lynne Cornell |
| 26:29 | Lena Lou |
| 26:32 | Eddie Smith |
| 27:27 | Jamie Harding |
| 28:09 | Rachel Hurdman |
| 29:12 | Lucy Ward |
| 29:18 | Rose Hawkswood |
| 30:30 | Gill Milne |
| 30:49 | Sarah Kerr |
| 31:28 | Janet Palmer |
| 32:12 | Niamh Garratt |
| 32:27 | Cath Robson |
| 32:28 | Mariana Mouzinho |
| 33:50 | Ann Smith |
| 38:01 | Sarah Taylor |
| 36:02 | Becky Webster |
| Whitley Bay | |
| 30:27 | Julie Cross |
| 38:09 | Luke Woodend |
| Ormeau, Belfast | |
| 31:16 | Diana Walmesley |
| Druridge Bay | |
| 30:33 | Aaron Mansell |
| Denton Dene | |
| 23:04 | Mungai Wairia |
| 34:47 | David Devennie |
| 42:48 | Elizabeth O’Mahony |
| Ekebergsletta, Oslo | |
| 31:48 | Shilpa Iyanna |
