Here's this week's report superbly written by Simon Goodwin:
I never over sleep. The body clock wakes at 6 am on weekdays (and usually Saturdays too). Today I woke at 8.54am at home in the People’s Republic of Roe Green, a full 2 miles away from Monton. So what do to? Maintain my 100% attendance at parkruns in 2016 or lie back and enjoy the snooze? As I began the Neanderthal trudge to the bathroom I heard “Don’t be daft Dad.” “No, Dad.” “Simon. You’re doing a 10k race tomorrow.” Too late to run down to Monton, no time to bike down, so it had to be the car. 9 minutes later (average speed 29.5 mph, Officer) with the car parked on a Monton backroad I started to run towards the start more in hope than expectation. Would I even be allowed to join in?
And so a totally different parkrun experience unfolded this morning. I missed the pre-run buzz with everyone chatting and acknowledging familiar faces. I missed the round of applause for milestones passed and first timers. I missed my warm-up and stretch too. Ouch.
As I reached the start the marshals were starting to put out the cones for the finish, but they still had a few words of sympathy for me as I ran through the start. A multi-coloured morass of runners was still visible in the distance. I had missed the start by 3 minutes. Thanks to the tail-runner, Mark Shuttleworth, who waited for me and gave me some words of encouragement.
Liberated from the possibility of a PB I settled in and enjoyed a beautiful Spring morning. In fact, this was the first parkrun of the year that did not begin with shivers. Without the need to focus so intently I noticed the surroundings more and was reminded why Worsley Woods is such a special parkrun, with a nice balance of flat straight sections, short but steep inclines, bridges, streams and, of course, woodland. Being in woodland you notice the changes that the seasons bring. April and May are my favourite months, as the bluebells bring a splash of colour. The old railway station is always there, of course, and reminds us of our local industrial heritage.
I made a point of thanking all the marshals as I moved through the course and a high five for the Junior Marshall at the first set of steps. It is remarkable that so many people give their time to make this event work each week. I feel a little guilty for only having helped out once. I hope our council appreciates how this helps the health and well-being of the community. For me, it’s about de-compressing after a stressful week and hopefully losing a bit of weight. Stoke Gifford - what were you thinking?
When you take a different position in the running order, you lose all your usual reference points. George Bate usually overtakes me after 2 minutes, with his dog, but today he was not even in sight. Where was Yellow-Mac-Man? I usually overtake him at the 3k point. Thank you Yellow-Mac-Man for motivating me every week. Today it was like I was participating in a different event.
With 1k to go I upped my pace slightly, being careful not to over-do it before tomorrow’s 10k. I ran past a youngster with his Mum, but he was having none of it. 30 seconds later he appeared again at my side and with 100 yards to go he pulled clear. Well done to you, Bailey Watt, for your PB today. Great running.
There were 385 runners today, the second highest attendance ever, an astonishing 73 of whom were first timers. 63 people got PBs – well done to all you, including the first-placed Nathan Townsend with a time of 16.33. 16.33!!! . If I ever get round in under 27 minutes I will be delighted. The numbers were swelled by the clement weather and the cancellation at Heaton Park. I didn’t see many of the 385, but I hope they had as much fun as I did.
The records will show that Simon Goodwin finished in 327th place with a time of 32:43 and a grading of 43.66%. A pretty ordinary run. But you, dear reader, know the truth.
For the “stattos”:
Male placings:
Nathan TOWNSEND (JM15-17) of Trafford AC, was first over the line in 16:33 - first time in 3 appearances.
James LEWIS (VM35-39) (Unattached) was second over the line in 17:59 - has been first to finish on 4 previous occasions.
Daniel J BIRD (SM20-24) of Swinton RC, was third over the line in 18:10 - was first to finish once before.
Female placings:
Debbie ROWLANDS (VW40-44) (Unattached) was first (48th overall) over the line in 21:30 - 8th time in 16 appearances.
Elaine WONG (SW25-29) of Sweatshop Running Community, was second (56th overall) over the line in 21:46 - was first to finish once before.
Rebecca JONES (SW25-29) of Swinton RC, was third (75th overall) over the line in 22:38.
The following runners recorded the best Age Grade scores:
Nathan TOWNSEND (JM15-17) was graded 81.57% for the time 16:33 (first overall).
Paul STEVENSON (VM50-54) was graded 79.76% for the time 19:06 (10th overall).
Eileen CASTLEDINE (VW60-64) was graded 79.48% for the time 24:46 (117th overall).