Another bright and sunny morning for parkrun today, two consecutive weeks is really spoiling us. There were a few people venturing away from the north-east this week, Lucy Ward being the only one to head north into Scotland, up by the Firth of Forth in Falkirk.
Just south of the border, Luke Woodend may have been scuppered upon finding Keswick frozen, but ten minutes down the road, Ryan Thompson had better luck at Whinlatter Forest. Elsewhere in Cumbria, Cate Walker and I were visiting recently departed member Chloe Glover, and the three of us took a trip to a gloriously sparkling (only slightly muddy) Talkin Tarn.
There was a course PB for Niamh Garratt at old favourite Markeaton, while a short hop across the midlands, Mark Anderson earned 2nd place debuting at Beeston in Nottingham. Also on familiar ground was Jim Crinnion at Temple Newsam in Leeds.
Cath Robson travelled the furthest to get her steps in today, and sent her verdict from St Albans in Hertforshire: “Away down south for a Mothers’ Day sandwich weekend I took the opportunity to escape my responsibilities and pop round the M25.
A clear, initially frosty, morning showed the parkland around Verulamium and the abbey at it’s very best. The route is mainly on grass and woodland tracks and is basically two undulating laps with splendid views across to the abbey.
There is plenty of paid parking and toilets available near the start and tremendous volunteer support on the route. Sadly I didn’t have time to check out the coffee facilities but I’m sure there are plenty of top quality venues nearby! Why not give it a go if, for some reason, you’re in the area?”
Closer to home, Lena Lou finished as 2nd lady at the fledgling Elemore Park, with Heather Steel 3rd at Riverside, and Maria Oranges recorded a fantastic parkrun PB at Town Moor on their new alternative course.
