Parkrun Report Saturday 26th October 2019 by Roxane

Pos Parkrunner Time Cat Grade Cat Pos Note Runs Parkrun
48 Grahame TURNER 22:40 VM50-54 66.69% 45 PB stays at 21:55 44 Longrun
83 Hazel SHEARS 24:36 SW30-34 60.63% 15 PB stays at 23:21 44 Longrun
41 Richard GANDY 24:47 VM50-54 60.46% 35 First Timer! 46 Burnham
80 Margaret HILL 30:49 VW50-54 54.41% 24 First Timer! 45 Henstridge
231 David GERMAN 39:51 VM80-84 54.08% 134 PB stays at 36:17 180 Longrun
55 Roxane PRATT 32:47 VW50-54 52.41% 12 First Timer! 186 Evesham
40 Nick PRATT 29:51 VM50-54 50.20% 33 First Timer! 168 Evesham

 

The first part of this week's Longrun Parkrun report reflects why few Langport Runners were Parkrunning this week. This, coupled
with a time clash with a certain Rugby World Cup Rugby Semi Final and 40 UK Parkruns being cancelled (including Monty & Street)
due to flooding and forecasted high winds, explains a drop in Parkrun popularity this week.

"Only the really dedicated runners were out this week in the wind and rain. The course was wet and wild, with especially gusty
conditions at the back of the course. Puddle dodgers would have had a hard time avoiding all the water today!"

Grahame, Hazel and Dave did represent us at Longrun. Pretty good times/percentages too for Grahame and Hazel, topping our table;
and Dave, chalking up his 180th Parkrun and another sub 40 minutes.

Longrun's report went on to say "Congratulations too for the first 3 men and women. Adam Holland came in first in 16.50, a new PB.
Adam is an amazing runner. He has completed 444 ultra marathons and is the fastest person to have completed 10 marathons in 10
consecutive days with an average time of 2 hours 45 minutes!"

 

Over at Henstridge, Maggie tried the Airfield course for the first time. Their report also focussed on the weather conditions:

"Montacute parkrun had decided to close way before Henstridge had even got their shoes on and it would not be unexpected to see
some Yeovilites making the trip over, there were a few but even for us with the luxury of concrete paths and relatively even ground
it was a fifty fifty odds as to whether we could have run given the predicted weather conditions carpeting what seemed like most of
the south. We are a resilient and cheery bunch at Henstridge, mixed with a bit of hard core and a thin line of bonkers, the expected
message for a no go didn't come and by 7.45am we were good to go.

What news! The new winter course was being tried out for the first time, the marketing men (well Stephen on Facebook) had been
putting the spin out there, for the first time we were running on the live (but not open until 10am) runway. What a chance to run
somewhere usually prohibited, our thanks has go to the airfield owner who allowed this, for anyone who likes to tick off parkrun
venues, surely this is a must run just for the unusual nature of the location?

The wind was relentless, running up that first strip felt like you were getting no where, as fast as your running allowed and if, well,
you are not aerodynamic, the force of the incoming gale potentially thwarted any thoughts of a pb from the offset. Having said that
twenty four out of the one hundred and thirty did get a pb, well done! The journey back, with the wind behind you should have made
a person fly, I will let you have your own thoughts on that one! Off down a familiar trail along the disused runway, back up and off on
to grass, we were on a track we knew and the devilment of running some where not usually run subsiding, the runners now making
their way back to our usual finish."

 

Nick and I touristed for the first time at Evesham. We found the carpark down the aptly named 'Boat Lane' where the course runs
adjacent to the River Avon. Our feet were soaked just walking to the start line. What a very friendly welcome we received and extremely
enthusiastic volunteers. The course was re-routed to avoid the very worse of the wet grass. I was pleased to be given number 55 finishing
token, amongst the lowest position I have ever been. However, I see from the results, there were ony 70 runners this week!

After the event, Evesham posted "What a wonderful, committed and super sporting lot you are turning out in weather of duck pleasing only
proportions, all 70 of you should be very very pleased with yourselves - well done! 

 

Richard travelled over to Burnham, approaching his 50th Parkrun. This was his first time, again a challenging run due to the weather.
Burnham suggest, with a 9am start for next Saturday's Rugby Final: 

"I'm guessing Parkrun could be quiet next week then." And went on to say,  "Thank you to all of our volunteers who stood out in the wet and
breezy weather to put on this event. Well done to everyone who took part. "

I see there has been suggestion of a Rugby silence during next week's PR. And adding 2 minutes to anyone's time if they mention anything
to do with the Rugby World Cup Final during next week's Parkrun. Then runners can go home and watch the event as if live. Good idea, but I
suspect numbers will be down.........

 

Distinct lack of photographs this week.

This was the view at the start of the Evesham Parkrun:

1 Good weather for ducks