Thirty-Seven members were out at ten parkrun events this weekend.
The weather wasn’t as hot as the last few days. But surprisingly no top AG runners. Best performance Nic second at Wilmslow. There were a few soloist’s out and about. JD at the Pally. Mr Consistent on the grass at Wythenshawe. Mark, a first-timer, at W Woods. Ian returning to the South Coast after a 5 year absence – less than 50 seconds off his 2018 time.
There were a lot of WRC Series Parkrunners at it.
Just 2 Slickers at the crowded Stretford Qes and his Mum doing a fast pace amongst some Community Running.
There were more Freshers about -A three-some at Didsbury. No fast times. A PW for Roy who is contemplating the option of becoming a bionic man to still enjoy running. Seven at South Manchester. Andrew first-timer was first club member home in 4th position with an 80+ AG. The Other 6 all PB’d – does the course need re-measuring? Kate knocked over 2 minutes of her previous and had a massive AG. She was 2nd on that. Richard ran his 150th parkrun. Victoria had her fastest 2023 time. As did Kate.
There were lots of WAGS running too. A dozen at Alderley saw Wilmslow finish 3-4-5 with Billy getting a PB. Pete first-timed. His first Parkrun for 5 years. Tom second on AG. Graham and Nic PB’d.
Whilst down the road in Town eight members ran. Nicola was second runner home! Just outside her PB. Lewis and nakus in the top 10 too! Rebecca enjoyed her 300th Parkrun and was the second lady to finish. Andy was second on AG.
That just leaves the Squires. Just the one.
After the hills in Styal Woods on Tuesday. What better challenge than the hills at Lyme Park! It seemed a good idea. Unfortunately, four hours of raking the Colshaw Farm field searching for car keys wasn’t perhaps the ideal preparation on Friday! Still, I packed my running vest as it has been so warm and duly got there in time.
Getting out the car I found it a little cool. By the time I put my shoes on and stretched some spots of rain began!! So I put my cap on to keep the glasses clear. Just a warm up now. Along the stretch of the car park and up the little hill on the right. Wow. Breathing and legs heavy! This isn’t going to be a sub-30 challenge. Let’s make it 32 minutes. Back down the hill to the start. “It doesn’t get any easier for us at our age!” A cheery runner informs me as he passes by.
The introduction by the RD takes much longer. We have a 50 runner, a 100 runner [who had done 50 different parkruns – that’s a half-Cowl I think!]. Then a 150 [ah! That’s Jayne from Stockport – thought she seemed familiar], a 200 and a 350!! With all that clapping we didn’t start on time for sure. 😊
We’re off. Positive thinking. Last time out struggled after 30 seconds. Even walkers overtook me. Breathing heavy after half a minute – but haven’t stopped. Not the ideal path chosen as the person I was following realised there was a log in front of him and diverted back left off the grass onto the rocky path. Still got to the gate without stopping. Continued through the trees and upwards. Made it round the corner onto the cut back path. I have 2-minute contingency on 6 minute laps. First K gone and I have 14 seconds left! And still 3 more hills! Concentrate on the second K. watching where to put my feet whilst other runners happy running up and down trails pass me either side. I add 25 seconds to my contingency pot. But the 3rd K is up to the cage. Path is wide and better to run. Getting warm now. But there’s Don at the top – a Marshal! Decide at the top to take my hat off. Disaster it catches on my glasses and ear phones. Have to stop and carefully remove and unravel the tangled mess. Glasses and music back on. I commence the downhill section after having lost time! Harder to run down this section. Nearly go over on my ankle and have to take more care. 4k time is over 6 minutes. So, the last hill has to be sub-6. But a could get sub-31 if I can push. Big breath. Dig in. Pass the runners who’d overtaken me whilst hat incident occurred. Set mini goals to run to. Mentally wish the last 200 to go sign to appear. Takes a while. Not catching anyone up now. Getting harder. Sign does appear. Look at watch. Won’t do it. 7 seconds over. Damn hat!!
Still Sub-32 achieved. Knackered. Go find the Coffee man. A few more hill training sessions needed before I return here. A rest next week, I think.
Anything or anyone missed – please add a comment.
Summary
- Busiest: Stretford [606]; Quietest: Lyme Pk [137];
- Tourists: Don [Volunteer: Lyme Pk]
- First finisher: Nic
- Top AG:
- 80+ % AG: Kate [87.06%]; Andy [82.10%]; Andrew [80.58%]; Nicola [80.17%]
- PB: Billy, Graham, Nic; Everyone at South Mcr!;
Wilmslow members results are below:
South Manchester parkrun
A total of 375 runners took part at South Manchester parkrun event #604
| Position | Gender Position | parkrunner | Club | Run Time |
| 1 | 1 | Stephen JACKSON | U/a | 15:35 |
| 4 | 3 | Andrew CLEAL | WRC | 17:20 |
| 5 | 1 | Caroline BRENCHLEY | U/a | 17:34 |
| 11 | 9 | Richard HARRISON | WRC | 18:46 |
| 13 | 11 | Matthew TAYLOR | WRC | 18:55 |
| 30 | 27 | Tim BILLINGTON | WRC | 20:11 |
| 57 | 48 | Gareth AMOS | WRC | 22:15 |
| 59 | 3 | Kate SUTTON | WRC | 22:17 |
| 224 | 46 | Victoria WILLIAMS | WRC | 28:10 |
Ally Pally parkrun
A total of 264 runners took part at Ally Pally parkrun event #503
| Position | Gender Position | parkrunner | Club | Run Time |
| 1 | 1 | Robert SIMPSON | U/a | 18:47 |
| 32 | 1 | Lauren LONGHURST | U/a | 23:13 |
| 39 | 37 | Jonathan DUNKLEY | WRC | 23:42 |
Wythenshawe parkrun
A total of 354 runners took part at Wythenshawe parkrun event #527
| Position | Gender Position | parkrunner | Club | Run Time |
| 1 | 1 | Tom BROWN | U/a | 18:24 |
| 3 | 1 | Caitlin WETTERS | U/a | 18:47 |
| 50 | 42 | Paul GARNETT | WRC | 22:39 |
Worsley Woods parkrun
A total of 446 runners took part at Worsley Woods parkrun event #507
| Position | Gender Position | parkrunner | Club | Run Time |
| 1 | 1 | Darren RUSSELL | U/a | 17:57 |
| 10 | 1 | Sarah BROWN | U/a | 19:31 |
| 43 | 37 | Mark BALE | WRC | 21:31 |
Seaton parkrun
A total of 241 runners took part at Seaton parkrun event #272
| Position | Gender Position | parkrunner | Club | Run Time |
| 1 | 1 | Jamie PULLINGER | U/a | 16:53 |
| 8 | 1 | Lucy CARTWRIGHT | U/a | 19:06 |
| 36 | 27 | Ian SMALLWOOD | WRC | 22:37 |
Lyme Park parkrun
A total of 137 runners took part at Lyme Park parkrun event #405
| Position | Gender Position | parkrunner | Club | Run Time |
| 1 | 1 | Joel BEARN | U/a | 18:49 |
| 16 | 1 | Anna ASPINALL | U/a | 24:05 |
| 75 | 51 | Patrick GRANNAN | WRC | 31:07 |
Wilmslow parkrun
A total of 173 runners took part at Wilmslow parkrun event #365
| Position | Gender Position | parkrunner | Club | Run Time |
| 1 | 1 | Luke MENDHAM | U/a | 18:19 |
| 2 | 1 | Nicola REECE | WRC | 19:05 |
| 6 | 5 | Lewis J JONES | WRC | 20:26 |
| 8 | 7 | Markus DALGAARD | WRC | 20:53 |
| 12 | 2 | Rebecca JACKSON | WRC | 21:20 |
| 17 | 15 | Graham DUCE | WRC | 21:53 |
| 23 | 21 | Andy WATTS | WRC | 22:21 |
| 36 | 3 | Rachel MASKELL | WRC | 23:29 |
| 37 | 33 | Steve GREAVES | WRC | 23:33 |
Stretford parkrun
A total of 606 runners took part at Stretford parkrun event #310
| Position | Gender Position | parkrunner | Club | Run Time |
| 1 | 1 | Christopher LARKIN | U/a | 16:10 |
| 31 | 31 | Qes HUSSAIN | WRC | 18:47 |
| 48 | 1 | Jess ROSS | U/a | 19:33 |
| 121 | 8 | Huma RAHMAN | WRC | 22:15 |
Fletcher Moss parkrun
A total of 401 runners took part at Fletcher Moss parkrun event #160
| Position | Gender Position | parkrunner | Club | Run Time |
| 1 | 1 | Kieren MOONEY | U/a | 17:04 |
| 24 | 1 | Rachel BROWN | U/a | 20:17 |
| 55 | 47 | Paul NORRIS | WRC | 22:29 |
| 70 | 9 | Janine ELLIS | WRC | 23:15 |
| 348 | 183 | Roy POWNALL | WRC | 35:21 |
Alderley Park parkrun
A total of 182 runners took part at Alderley Park parkrun event #47
| Position | Gender Position | parkrunner | Club | Run Time |
| 1 | 1 | Mark SHATWELL | U/a | 17:37 |
| 3 | 3 | Mark KIRKBY | WRC | 18:47 |
| 4 | 4 | Billy WILSON | WRC | 18:57 |
| 5 | 5 | Ashley FARRELL | WRC | 19:03 |
| 9 | 9 | James SPEEDIE | WRC | 20:08 |
| 20 | 19 | Tom MCGAFF | WRC | 21:19 |
| 22 | 1 | Jennie A PICKARD | U/a | 21:32 |
| 26 | 23 | Graham CREWE | WRC | 22:13 |
| 30 | 27 | Richard LAWSON | WRC | 22:46 |
| 31 | 28 | Nic BOWN | WRC | 22:49 |
| 53 | 45 | Alan Charles TURNER | WRC | 24:43 |
| 54 | 46 | Pete STOCK | WRC | 24:49 |
| 60 | 50 | Oliver Thomas JOHNSTONE | WRC | 25:24 |
| 93 | 18 | Sue STRANG | WRC | 28:31 |