Thank you to Simon Goodwin for today's run report.
Worsley Woods parkrun 9th July 2016 will be remembered for the utter deluge of rain that poured down on to the 299 runners. We would have all been better off in wet suits really. I really felt for the marshalls today who got soaked, without the satisfaction of running with us so take a bow…
Andrew GORTON • Annie SURTEES • Carol GORTON • Colin STEPHENS • David FAULKNER • Erin HUXLEY • Helen CRITCHLEY • James CRITCHLEY • Jenny CASTLE • Jim BARRETT • Katie HALTON • Kenneth JOHNSON • Kristian BOLD • Lucy MASTERS • Mandy BEARD • Mike CRITCHLEY • Tom CRITCHLEY • Tracy GORTON • William HEAVEY
Clearly the rain didn’t deter some fast times today. Daniel Bird finished first, followed by Filemon Teklehaimanot who I hope will be consoled by a PB. An unknown runner finished 4th. How cool is that? Someone just fancied a run and then disappeared without trace. Ninja-running. There were 38 PBs in total including our friend David Rapinett who showed me a clean pair of heels from the start, and posted a time under 26 minutes, a time that I can but dream about. I hope the 31 first timers are not put off by the weather and enjoy better conditions next week.
This was my 50th parkrun. Until November of last year I was a very occasional participant, but then something happened which made me re-assess my exercise routine. I got a big promotion at work, but one which I could see was going to put me under a lot of pressure. I’ll let you speculate on what the job might be but let’s just say I am now responsible for a lot of young people.
So I started exercising more, thinking that I needed to be fitter, healthier and calmer. Suddenly a 5k on Saturday mornings became the perfect way of clearing my head and kick-starting a more relaxing weekend. Since then, I’ve only missed one parkrun, joined a local running club and have done several 10k races and trail races (they are the best). Paul Sinton-Hewitt has always said that parkrun does not compete with the club/race scene – in fact it has helped it to grow.
Family commitments dictate that I am something of a parkrun tourist, but Worsley Woods, like McEwans Best Scotch is “the one you’ve got to come back for”. Today was my longest run in 15 years. 4 miles around Worsley, was followed by 3.1 miles of parkrun and another 3 along the canal towards home. 10 miles! Next weekend I hope to run a half marathon.
I mention all this not to show off but to make the point that parkrun can take you to levels that you couldn’t imagine when you take those first steps. And it just sneaks up on you. So thank you to everyone who has marshalled every run this year, to the organisers and to everyone who participated. Because you have all helped me enormously.
Now, where’s that t-shirt?
Stats for today’s run:
Male placings:
Daniel J BIRD (SM20-24) of Swinton RC, was first over the line in 17:26 - third time in 14 appearances.
Filemon TEKLEHAIMANOT (JM15-17) of Salford Harriers and AC, was second over the line in 17:35.
Tony FLANAGAN (VM50-54) of Swinton RC, was third over the line in 18:22 - has been first to finish on 2 previous occasions.
Current standing in the Men's annual points competition:
Mark BIRCHALL (Swinton RC) 1792 pts.
Simon PACK (Swinton RC) 1596 pts.
Mark CLEWARTH (Unattached) 1402 pts.
Female placings:
Danielle WOODS (SW30-34) (Unattached) was first (16th overall) over the line in 20:11 - first appearance.
Lisa HILES (VW40-44) of Bolton Metro Triathlon Club, was second (35th overall) over the line in 21:35 - has been first to finish on 14 previous occasions.
Lauren MURRAY (SW25-29) (Unattached) was third (37th overall) over the line in 21:40 - has been first to finish on 4 previous occasions.
Current standing in the Women's annual points competition:
Helen NATION (Swinton RC) 1662 pts.
Emily BIRCHALL (Unattached) 1449 pts.
Theresa SHAW (Salford Metropolitan AC) 1279 pts.
The following runners recorded the best Age Grade scores:
Tony FLANAGAN (VM50-54) was graded 80.31% for the time 18:22 (third overall).
David BURKE (VM60-64) was graded 79.89% for the time 20:48 (26th overall).
Filemon TEKLEHAIMANOT (JM15-17) was graded 77.91% for the time 17:35 (second overall).