Barrow parkrun 294 – Saturday June 17 2017

LAST week’s weather was a definite contrast to the previous week’s.

Heavy rain gave way to a clear sky and glorious sunshine for the 161 taking part and a team of 24 volunteers.

Barrow parkrun is a 5km course which comprises a challenging 2.5 laps of Barrow park, passing the cenotaph three times and the top of the lake twice. It’s a free, weekly, timed event, and people of all ages and abilities can join in.

We meet at the bandstand for 8.50am each Saturday morning for a quick run briefing and are ready to go at 9am.

Just register beforehand, print a barcode and bring it along – this will give you an official time and you’ll find your name on the results table later in the day. Find more details at www.parkrun.org.uk/register/.

Six taking part last week were first-time parkrunners; we hope to see you back again soon, and thanks for joining us. Kelly White from Preston parkrun was among those joining us on the day, we hope you enjoyed our event, Kelly. Please come back for another go sometime.

Among the first-timers was Barrow and Furness Strider, Richard Walker – first over the line in an outstanding time of 17:45.

Second to complete was Walney Wind Cheetah and regular parkrunner David Harker in 19:29 and his 214th parkrun to date.

Third home was Parkside Panther Matty Hill, 10 seconds later. Great running, you three!

Will McNally, finished in 20:18, putting him top of the age grade table as first junior runner to complete the course in sixth position. Brilliant effort,Will.

Zoe Travers achieved an new personal best time of 21:54 making her the first female to cross the finish line, in 15th position overall.

Twenty-three parkrunners achieved personal best times this week. Good weather conditions, grit and determination can do wonders for personal bests. Well done, everyone.

There were no milestone runs this week but there are many up and coming. As usual many of the runners gather for a chat, coffee and cake at the cafe after the event; it’s great to catch up with fellow runners, family and friends.

The cafe is situated close to the finish line – which is very handy.

Next week is junior volunteer week which, in the past, has been a great success. Volunteers are an essential part of parkrun and it could not go ahead without them.

I’m sure many of you have forgotton the alternate parkrun route. Next week our junior volunteer line-up will be reminding us of this delight when guiding us around a course many won’t yet have tried.

The alternate course has been used in the past due to flooding or a coinciding event – on this occasion it’s the latter in the form of a fun fair which will be in the process of setting up.

Please come along next week and enjoy our alternate route.

Barrow parkrun began in September 2011 with just 25 runners. The highest attendance so far was 208 in July 2015 – it would be brilliant to top that this summer! Come along and join us and make it happen.

See you next week,

Gary Woodhouse