A run in the park?

As regular Parkrunners will know 9am, Saturday morning at Conkers, and indeed at all other venues across the UK, is the time for their weekly 5k fix. Saturday was the 82nd running of this event and 10 Club members were part of a record 178 field. Andy Hawtin (7 races/ 17.59 PB) was the first to finish in 5 th place and a time of 18.29. Louise Insley (3 races) finished 2nd in the women’s race in a new course PB of 19.09 and a terrific age related score of 80.94%, proving she is fully over recent injuries.
The Club’s most regular Parkrunner Gerry O’Brien (49 races/ 18.00 PB) finished next in 19.12 and 12 th place edging out Chris Mason (10 races/ 19.11PB) in 15th place in a time of 19.19. Chris had the satisfaction of achieving the highest age related score of 85.25%, which placed him 5th in the age related league over the season.
Andy Orme (14races) was another who ran brilliantly on Saturday to set a new course PB of 20.06 enabling him to get the better of Paul McKay (18 races/19.59 PB) whose 21.14 was a useful return after recent injury. Next to finish was Dan Towns (36 races/21.32PB) in 22.03. Dan’s considerable improvement over the season highlights the speed benefits of racing regularly at the 5k distance.
Only 2 seconds behind Dan was Christina Cooper (9 races/21.52PB) for a superb 6th place finish in the women’s race. Completing the finishers for the Club on Saturday were two Parkrun regulars, Caroline Ife (32races/ 29.29PB) & Felicity Towns (35 races/26.40PB) who finished in times of 32.38 and 35.19 respectively.
Most people will be aware that Parkrun is a ‘free’ event and all you need for a finishing position and a time (usually sent to you as a text or email on Saturday PM) is to download a bar code and take it along to the event.
Ivanhoe Runners were out in force on Saturday, using the event to recruit new members they justifiably lead the club participation table with 79 of their members having taken part in the Conkers run since its inception. SDRR AC is in 7th place with 24 different members having taken part at Conkers.
Steve Leafe and Mark Nixon were excused parkrun duties on Saturday and tackled the much sterner test of the Seagrave Wolds Challenge. Both represented the Club with distinction over a challenging 15.7 mile multi-terrain course with Steve recording 2.33.16 to finish 67th out of 492 finishers. Mark was not far behind in 2.37.42 for a superb 113th place finish.
The much anticipated Derby Runner Cross Country League starts again on Sunday with race HQ for the first race, South Charnwood School. Meet Green Bank Leisure Centre car park for a 09.30 departure. Race starts at 11.00.Lets start the season with a big turnout.