At 8.50am every Saturday morning the bandstand at Barrow Park is a hive of activity with runners, walkers, volunteers and spectators eagerly awaiting the weekly 5km timed event called parkrun – and this week was no exception.

Helen Edwards, our run director did a great job with the pre-run briefing, making us all welcome and getting us to the start line for the off.

The weather was cold and decidedly damp but that did not deter 10 participants joining us for the first time, and four returning for a second go.

Francesca Bury added Barrow to her list of 39 different parkruns completed. Vicky Levitt, a regular at Barnsley parkrun joined us for the first time, and Jonny Bromilow who has added Barrow to a very impressive list of parkrun locations. We hope you found our event an enjoyable and memorable one.

Sixteen achieved a personal best time from a total of 159 taking part – the highest attendance since April.

First to finish this week was Ryan Everett of the Barrow and Furness Striders AC in 18:02. Ryan is a regular first finisher, doing it 26 times in 59 events.

First woman home was Katie Waite in 21:00 and eighth overall position – her 21st parkrun event. Well done Katie.

First junior to finish this week was Greg Barnard-Mackenzie in 22:21 a Walney Wind Cheetah with 90 parkruns under his belt. Good efforts!

Regular runners Brenda Bagley and Steve Batty scored highest on age grading this week with 77.76 per cent and 74.84 per cent respectively. Age grading is a way to adjust an athlete’s performance according to age and gender. Steve also tops the male points table, with Janice Callister at the top of the women's points.

Parkside Panther, Gordon Gibson completed his 121st parkrun on his birthday, he's a regular runner and volunteer at Barrow, a real inspiration. Happy birthday Mr Gibson.

All parkrun events rely on volunteers and this week well deserved mentions go to our team – Helen Edwards, Amy Singleton, Sally Barton, David Farish, David Spencer, Donna Bates, Susan Cullen, Sonja Foster, Jo Waddington, Erin Singleton, Fiona Bannister, Fred Bagley & Poppy, Helen Haney, Ian Sadler, John Sherwen, Laura Jones-Barnes, Michael Cook, Ruth Haughian, Sam Jones-Barnes, Val Fleming. Thank you very much for your time and effort.

Barrow parkrun began in September 2011 with 25 participants, our biggest attendance so far is 208 in July 2015.

If you'd like to give parkrun a try please register for a barcode, print and bring it along with you, we meet at the bandstand at Barrow park every Saturday at 08:50. You can run as fast as you can or walk as leisurely as you wish, there's no pressure and it's free, fun and a great way to start the weekend, or 2017.

If you are concerned about finishing last there is no need as our volunteer tailrunner always does! Register at http://www.parkrun.org.uk/register/ or email for a volunteer role to barrowhelpers@parkrun.com

Hope to see you soon.

Gary Woodhouse