A Milestone to Remember
Well, thank you Street for a perfect Saturday morning. Lots of sunshine, lots of people and, thanks to my wife Jackie, some very nice cake. Those who were present will recall that Martin, the Run Director, announced that I was taking part in my 500th parkrun. I am a self-confessed parkrun fanatic and have put a few thoughts together recalling my parkrun journey which began in 2011. But before getting onto that, a big thank you to the 26 volunteers that allowed 119 runners, joggers and walkers to enjoy Street parkrun this morning. Well done to everyone, especially to Edward Brown, as the first male finisher, and to all the younger runners who are quite simply amazing in the way they whizz around the course. Top marks to Leyton Finn who is in the JM 11-14 age group and finished in 20:21 and to Isobel Stacey, in the JW 11-14 age group, who finished in 21:24 and was first female finisher. Both Leyton and Isobel were well ahead of me: indeed, it took me most of the run to catch up with Milo Cook, who is in the JM 10 age category and surely has a great running future to look forward to.
My first parkrun was on 3rd March 2011 at Roundshaw Downs in South London. I had no idea what was involved other than you ran 5km, you were given a finishing time and position, and it was free. All this proved to be correct but what I really liked about the event was how friendly everyone was, with no-one judging you either as a runner or an individual. And so my parkrun journey began!
Fast forward to Street on 23 September 2023 - my 500th parkrun. It has taken a long time to reach this milestone: my wife Jackie and I have retired, the children have left home, we've moved three times, and there are now so many more parkruns taking place around the country. As well as supporting our local parkruns, first at Riddlesdown, then Eastbourne and now Street, Jackie, and I enjoy visiting other parkruns, often when away on holiday or visiting family and friends. This means I rarely have to miss my weekly parkrun 'fix' which has allowed me to meet so many people, enjoy amazing running locations, and of course, finally reach that elusive 500 milestone. Quite simply, Saturday is parkrun day.
Another big part of parkrun for me is volunteering and we all know parkrun wouldn't happen without the amazing efforts of the volunteers. They turn up in all weather, they set the course up, they take it down, and they cheer you every step of the way. Just like taking part, volunteering is fun and you can combine both roles: I have volunteered on 152 separate occasions and, each and every time, have also been able to run.
Some highlights:-
I will always be hugely grateful to my three home parkruns, with each allowing me to become part of something that really is a force for good. Getting up and out on a Saturday morning, seeing those same smiling faces, chatting about this, that or whatever and of course getting around the 5km course. So many memories - a collision with a deer at Riddlesdown; wading through the Vicar of Dibley puddle, also at Riddlesdown; being overtaken at Street by a couple dressed as a banana and a pineapple; and struggling up the 'dune of doom' at Woollacombe. The Eden Project parkrun was amazing, running around the domes, as was walking with my mum around Killarney parkrun where I still remember the reception she received at the finish line - well, she had smashed the VW 75-80 age graded record! parkrun is also part of my family's weekend routine, especially on Xmas day; Santa hats galore, with the added bonus at Street parkrun of mulled cider and mince pies at the finish.
Moving to Somerset two years ago, has provided a whole new chapter of parkruns to enjoy, with 20 or so events around an hours drive my house. Jackie and I enjoy promenade runs and have been really spoilt with events at Clevedon, Weston and Burnham as well as Weymouth, Exmouth and Teignmouth. Nice and flat, with tarmac surfaces, so good for PBs, but every parkrun is different: the soft grass at Street is perfect for my dodgy back, with views of Glastonbury Tor to enjoy, and there's also the unique experience of running on a working farm which you get at Frogmary Green Farm.
My son and daughter both have the parkrun bug, so visiting them in Birmingham and London always has the added bonus of a parkrun. And of course, there is always the 'pilgrimage' to Bushy, which I ran a couple of weeks ago with Jackie and my daughter Niamh. This is where parkrun began back in 2004 and attracts around 1400 runners each week.
Final thoughts:-
Parkrun is clearly an important part of my life, and I hope to continue enjoying the opportunities that taking part affords, both as a runner and a volunteer. For me, times don't matter anymore (honest!); it's all about taking part, having fun and being part of a community event. So, if you haven't tried parkrun, why not give it a go. Whether it's for improving fitness, getting out for fresh air, meeting people or having the perfect excuse for coffee and cake, parkrun is for everyone.
Finally, with thanks again to everyone that was at Street parkrun this morning to help me enjoy this milestone, with a special mention for Tim and Martin as Run Directors, all the wonderful volunteers (Saturday wouldn't be the same without Anita and Jon cheering us on), and Mike and Andy from Langport Runners. As an aside, we had a lovely picture on the Street parkrun Facebook page a few weeks ago - highlighting the 81 year age gap between the two volunteers handing out finish tokens. It's about so much more than running!And if you have been inspired by Alan’s story but haven’t tried Parkrun, please give it a go or, even better, sign up as a volunteer at one of the local Parkruns!