They come around quick, today it was time once again for the club’s monthly tourism outing. The June poll-winner was Druridge Bay, a picturesque lakeside 2-lapper. Its relevant proximity to Toon was perhaps exemplified by the fact that more than half of us that travelled were making a return visit. Zoë Jukes best embodied the tourist spirit, as this trip marked her 50th different parkrun location, achieved in only 93 runs!
The previous nights balmy evening had given way to a drizzly morning, but it eased early on in the run, and the sun peeked out to cast the glory of Ladyburn Lake in a better light. Pretty as it is, it’s no Babylon, though David Gray was acknowledged during the milestone shout-outs (anyone under 35 may need to Google). Business as usual for Lena Lou, finishing as 2nd lady for the 2nd week in a row, alongside another course PB. Eddie Smith, Sarah Taylor and Rob Ward all joined her on the PB train, and the group retired to the friendly, if slightly noisy and cramped café, as the rain started up again.
Some of our other tourism regulars were with us in spirit, unavoidably having to fly the Claremont flag solo as they travelled elsewhere. Cate Walker reunited with old friends, visiting Alexandra in Manchester for the first time in nearly 2 years (with 703 others!). Ahead of a 10k the following day, Tom Tinsley and Gill Milne were on the Wirral Peninsula for a stroll at Chester, Tom completing an impressive 400 parkruns not out. Tom is also only 1 effort away from a centenary of volunteers, showing his real commitment to the cause!
Izzy Neatrour debuted at Sewerby in North Yorkshire, walking away as 1st lady. David Lydall also made his bow at Long Eaton in Derbyshire, while Julie Cross continued her road back from injury at Skinadin, the Isle of Skye’s sole parkrun. All the way down in Swindon, Harry Tracey and Ailsa Ralph took advantage of a parkrun on their hotel doorstep at Lydiard, and Jim Crinnion made one of his semi-regular visits to Temple Newsam near Leeds.
Not to be left out, there was much to be celebrated by those that had stayed close to home. Rising Sun reached a landmark 10th birthday, with 6 Claremonters taking part. One tailwalking excursion aside, Clare Jeffray ran her first parkrun at Albert since injury in February, in a time that shows she hasn’t lost much ground at all!
Heather Steel is on fire at the moment, and she duly collected a 1st lady finish and course PB at Leazes. After a worrying ankle pain saw her wince her way to the end of the mile the previous evening, it turned out to have been a false alarm, as young Charlotte Kerr smashed out her second fastest 5k and a course PB at Town Moor, following that up by coming within 1 second of an overall PB at Junior parkrun the next morning! Her mum attempted to grab some of the limelight by finishing as 2nd lady.
