Another Saturday morning and another parkrun await the keen, the ambivalent and the reluctant – any mindset will do as long as you are there.
The weather was kind this week, sunny and windless but not too warm. This may have contributed to the tremendously exciting battle at the head of the field of 268 parkrunners, between Stephen Jackson and Jonathan Cox. The former prevailed by just two seconds in an incredibly quick 16:03. Congratulations to both on a great effort.
That of course is only one aspect of parkrun. There were gentle rivalries and friendly banter throughout the field as people of all ages, fitness levels and abilities ran, jogged or walked their way to 5km of exercise and camaraderie.
Some are veterans of over 200 events, some trying it out for the first time, but all are attempting it on their own terms.
For runners to enjoy this event an incredible amount of effort is given by volunteers – this week alone 31 gave their time freely to make it all work smoothly.
Race director Andrew Richardson, one of the 31, often gives a platform to groups keen to spread the word. This week the local running club, Eden Runners, announced the running of the Acorn Bank 10k on September 26, starting at 10am.
Who knows, perhaps you could join them and reach new goals in your running career.
Whatever your goals, be it a new personal best, to keep getting round every week or even to extend your runs, parkrun on a Saturday morning is a perfect way to meet friends, make new ones, and get the weekend off to a great start.
