As several regulars come close to achieving 100 runs

Summer finally started this week with record soaring temperatures in the mid 30s, with our Wormwood Scrubs course baked dry, with almost road running conditions on the narrow blackberry infested leg of the course that runs parallel with the train tracks.

This week was an early landmark for me with 10 Parkruns now, having replaced my Saturday morning dog walking duties with this activity I'm feeling stronger and fitter already, although my dog now looks at me forlornly from the window as I Ieave the house early and take up my duties setting up the course. For those that have not volunteered yet I highly recommend it as you can examine the nuances of the track, knowing where to shave vital seconds off and get a nice warm-up stretch.

This week 56 runners lined up at the start, including eleven first timers (Joshua LAYTON [1], Paul MACBEAN [2], Jeremy TRACEY [3], Christopher EDGE,Emma BULL, Gary FORSTER, Andrew MITCHELL, Liz NEATE, Glen BRYANT, Alisha PORTER and Maya PORTER). It’s always great to see new faces and we definitely hope to see you all back next week. Despite energy sapping heat, five new personal bests were set. Congratulations to Ali KHORASANY [4], Craig GUNN, Bryn SMITH, Vanessa HAMPTON and Katie TURFKRUYER [5] [5]

Congratulations to Ryan KEANE, who crossed the line first with a time of 18:15, hot on his heels were Gideon REID with a time of 18:35 and Joshua LAYTON 20:29. First time Emma BULL was the first woman finisher in 25:25, followed by Andrea BROUGHTON 25:52 and Vanessa HAMPTON 26:39

A big thankful to the volunteers, Charlie LE ROUGETEL, Andrea BROUGHTON, Craig GUNN, Peter JORDAN, Ben LE ROUGETEL, Nick MICHAEL, Graeme BOXALL, Isaac TAGGART & Gideon REID, without whom we would not be able to put on these events. There are still lots of opportunities to earn that volunteer shirt and help make sure these runs can happen (particularly with summer holidays coming up), so please e-mail wormwoodscrubshelpers@parkrun.com if you’d like to help out.

One more note! A quick look over the results table indicates that we are getting close to 100 runs for four of the Wormwood Scrubs regulars Paul BARNES, Kirstie TEW, Charlie LE ROUGETEL and James DOE provided they do the same number of runs, we should be looking forward to a sweet treat in back in the Thames Valley Clubhouse.

Hope to see some of you again soon for another blistering parkrun......stay cool!

Parkrun 267 - July 16

With the winter’s mud a distant memory, temperatures in London reached a scorching 25°C on Saturday. Although the day started off overcast, the sun came out just in time to provide an extra degree of challenge to the run. Despite the heat, tea, coffees, and flapjacks (a marvelous celebration of butter and sugar) were still very welcome in the Thames Valley Harriers clubhouse after the run. But on route to the refreshments, the small matter of a 5 km run took place first. 46 runners lined up at the start, including seven first timers (Brett PICKUP, Rachael MOLONEY, Xavier MOLONEY, Kevin JACKSON, Vanessa HAMPTON, Louise LANNEN, and Katie TURFKRUYER). It’s always great to see new faces and we definitely hope to see you all back next week. We also had the company of six tourists, and despite the muggy conditions, five new personal bests were set. Congratulations to Jordan MOODY, Igor JAWOR, Craig GUNN, Catherine KINSELLA, and Gerard NUTLEY.

Congratulations to Paul Woodgate, who crossed the line first with a time of 19:36, hot on his heels were Jordan Moody, with a time of 19:48 (a new PB), and Robert Crangle (19:55). Megan ROWE was the first woman finisher in 23:57, followed by Rachael MOLONEY (24:35) and Barbara MADDISON (25:42).

A big thankful to the volunteers, Bradley CAHOON, Peter GOUGH, Craig GUNN, Peter JORDAN, Ben LE ROUGETEL, Nick MICHAEL, Fran SANTOS, Lan-Lan SMITH, without whom we would not be able to put on these events.

July 25, 2016