This was the day that Claremont parkrun tourism went international. Eight of us, plus Becky’s partner Sam, ventured across the North Sea for a weekend in the Netherlands which, of course, included a parkrun beginning with the letter Z, Zuiderpark in Den Haag. A very pleasant park it is too, with a mix of woodland and grassed areas, a lake, some deer and a lot of geese (think Leazes Park on steroids). All of this surrounds some impressive sports facilities, including an athletics track.
It was already hot when we arrived, but thankfully the previous night’s storm had cleared the air a bit, as the temperature had reached a ridiculously high 370 on Friday afternoon! It seemed like over half the participants were British parkrun enthusiasts, all there to claim the elusive Z for their alphabet. Indeed, we were chatting with a couple from Leamington Spa who had chosen this as a memorable way to mark their 30th wedding anniversary – much better than the traditional pearls!
The course itself was fast, flat (it is Holland) and very simple – two almost circular laps on tarmac paths. Thankfully there was shade from the trees for half the lap, and plenty of space for the 174 runners and other park users alike. The Z meant that it was alphabet complete for the Wards, Lucy and Rob, and the Dutch flag was the 10th different nation for Laurie Johnson’s parkrun world tour. Although we went our various ways after the morning, some of us reconvened in the evening to sample the atmosphere in a pub with Dutch football fans as they thrashed Sweden 5-1. All in all, a most enjoyable outing.
However, we were not the only international tourists. Izzy Neatrour ventured even further afield, running, and finishing as 3rd female, at Donaupark in Vienna.
There was also some British tourism. Ann Smith was across the Irish Sea in Belfast, though she saved her legs for a 10K the next day, by volunteering as parkwalker. Clare Taylor was north of the border at Strathclyde, and Cath Robson was further north still as she took in a parkrun en-route to Scotland’s western isles:
“Back in January, with the mister having pieced together a trip to Islay and Colonsay, I thought I should at least check that there were no local parkruns, only to discover this little gem just 5 minutes jog from our overnight stop at Lochgilphead in Argyll. A flat, smooth, out and back course alongside the Crinan Canal, surrounded by beautiful lush green scenery, made it a pleasant start to our holiday and with just 48 runners (it was the morning after Scotland v Morocco…) there was plenty of space to just relax and enjoy the run. “
Travelling in the opposite direction, Rose Hawkswood was in the picturesque Peak District and Zoe Jukes turned out in her home county of Hampshire.
Nearer home, it was a weekend for course PBs. So congratulations to Anna Round, Diana Walmesley, Tara Hipwood, Niamh Garratt, Mark Flynn and Katherine Bell. Our speedy ladies also peppered the podium, as Catherine Young finished 1st, Heather Steel 2nd and Sarah Kerr joined Izzy in claiming a 3rd place finish.
Finally, congratulations to Leazes parkrun where 11 Claremont Road Runners were either running or volunteering to help it mark its 250th event.
