parkrun celebrated holding its one millionth cumulative event this weekend, from a handful of friends staging a time trial around Bushy Park in 2004, to 2026, where there are now over two thousand 5k and junior events worldwide! The juggernaut shows no sign of slowing, continuing to get people up and active on a Saturday morning.
From celebration to farewell, Chris Swaddling volunteered at Leazes for the 30th and final time before heading back south, having finished his studies. Starting out as a Duke of Edinburgh volunteer back in 2022, Chris became a regular fixture at Leazes, and latterly joined Claremont at the start of this year for an all too brief stint, got stuck in at cross-country, and was a regular presence at club sessions. Come back any time, Chris, bon voyage!
One person receiving his token from Chris was Till Weber, who ran an impressive parkrun PB, and his first under 20 minutes. Nearby, there was an even bigger Claremont turnout at Rising Sun, where Rachel Hurdman earned a course PB. Catherine Young racked up another podium place at Fulwell Quarry’s 100th event, now her most visited parkrun, finishing as 2nd lady. Roberto Marzo showed no ill-effects running a swift time in the Blaydon Race earlier in the week, having completed a 100km ultra only 3 days before (!) but finally took it easier at Prudhoe, encouraging his young son Luca to a PB.
A handful of us spread our wings this weekend. It was Pimms Pymmes o’ clock for Cath Robson, who improved her course best on returning to this North London parkrun. Lucy Keating was our only tourist ‘abroad’, pitching up in Swansea Bay. Further north, Rose Hawkswood bestowed her regal presence upon Princes in Liverpool, while Chris Jones was at the picturesque Fell Foot in the Lake District, and the Ward’s hit Millfield in North Yorkshire.
Closer to home, but possibly far enough away to qualify as ‘touring’, Cate and I visited Flatts Lane Country Park in Middlesbrough, ticking off another event in Cate’s quest to complete every parkrun in the North East. Only one left… for now. This was my 3rd visit, and like all good delusional runners, enough time had elapsed for me to convince myself that the monster hill on this 2-lapper wasn’t as bad as I remembered.
Unfortunately, the clues were there as the run director reminded us that Flatts is ranked in the top 10 hardest UK parkruns. I duly found myself having to walk part of the hill (more like a cliff-face) on the second lap, possibly as a result of having pushed too hard earlier on. Would still absolutely recommend visiting though, one of the prettiest courses around!
