61 Runners Face Winter Chill on Wormwood Scrubs
Including one heroic competitor completing his 250th run
Parkrun 285 - 19 November
James the 250th!
Fear not, this isn't a heralding of a return of the Stewart dynasty, more on the headline soon.
To the event! It was a clear and pleasant, if chilly, morning as another healthy turnout of 61 competitors gathered for the 285th Wormwood Scrubs parkrun, including twelve first timers (of whom two were absolute first timers, as opposed to merely Scrubs first timers).
After race Director Ben Le Rougetel's briefing, the field was off on the firm, cold, ground and quickly stretched out. Nick Impey (Ranelagh Harriers) led for most of the race, coming home in a dominant 17:47. That's four wins in four runs at the Scrubs, well done Nick! Next in, holding second for most of the race, was Joachim Moulfi in 18:44. Alfie Pearce-Higgins prevailed in a close contest for third place in a PB of nineteen minutes flat edging out Sarah Johnson (Imperial/Thames Valley Harriers, 19:03) who'd held third at the half way. Sarah was of course first woman, ahead of Sarah Taylor (in a PB of 22:57, seventeenth overall) and Rebecca Johnstone (24:27, Ravenscourt Park Runners, 21st overall).
On the age graded count, Sarah Johnson (77.69) was well ahead of Nick Impey (73.76) and Scrubs first timer Graham Sutherland (fifth overall, 19:41, 69.35, Clapham Chasers).
Aside from the above mentioned performances, there were two more runs to note. Paul Oppe (Thames Valley Harriers), coach to many Scrubs parkrunners, completed his first race since 2012 in 57th position in a time of 33:43. He seemed pleased, stating that he was 'pleased to run in such pleasant company'. The feeling was clearly mutual for Kirstie Tew, who stayed in Paul's group all the way around. Kirstie must have taken inspiration from the great coach, going on to compete at the London Cross Country Championships later the same day.
The big story, though, is that of James Malcom (sixth overall, 20:28, Thames Valley Harriers) who completed his 250th parkrun. James modestly commented that it was 'good to get it out of the way'. It had 'been a long time coming' he explained. Well James, it has actually been remarkably little time to achieve such an impressive total, your first parkrun being 2 July 2011. A real track record of turning out rain or shine. You finished in eighth place in 21:51 that day. James's other career highlights have included his outright victory on 28 December 2013 (21:19) and his PB of 19:24 on 23 June 2012. James generously distributed home-made shortbread cakes in the clubhouse afterwards before heading off to run the London Cross Country Championships as well. Thank you so much and massive congratulations!
So where does this all leave the races for the coveted points titles for 2016/17? In the men's, Nick Michael remains well clear on 1,756. James Malcolm leads the chasing pack on 1,581 whilst Craig Gunn holds third on 1,536. For the women, Kirstie Tew seems headed for another title as she leads the race on 1,709, Candace Bovill-Taylor is on 1,476 with Charlie Le Rougetel in third on 1,410. Saturday's race produced eight personal bests, the two mentioned above plus Sian Hood, Kate Pickup, Catherine Altmeyer, Elizabeth Reed, Lizzie Ball and Alexandra Zolotova.
Thank you to everyone who volunteered this week!
Paul.
If you'd like to get involved in volunteering at the Wormwood Scrubs parkrun, please email wormwoodscrubshelpers@parkrun.com.
December 12, 2016
