First Timers Join Regulars to Face Challenging Runs in February
Hayley Siva and Rob Bricout report on wintry parkruns on Wormwood Scrubs
Wormwood Scrubs is an underrated parkrun in the middle of London (wo)manned by a friendly team of volunteers. It is a deceptively tough course and should be a regular venue for walkers and runners who prefer to walk and run on grass (and some mud in winter).
It is flanked by a prison. One of the many remarkable things parkrun has achieved is to start parkruns in a few prisons. I read that it has given participating prisoners (and staff) a sense of purpose and achievement and is a weekly highlight.
John McAvoy, a Londoner, is currently the only Nike sponsored Ironman triathlete and he was a high profile armed robber who found redemption through the power of sport (read "Redemption: from Iron Bars to Ironman" for a truly remarkable story).
Maybe there will be a parkrun for Wormwood Scrubs prison one day.
So, this parkrun was well after Quitters' Day - well done to all of you for continuing to run. One of my favourite running quotes is by Haruki Murakami "Most runners run not because they want to live longer, but because they want to live life to the fullest".
It was a nice, crisp morning and the mud slushed as the runners' feet pounded their way around the Scrubs. I think this course is deceptive because it is flat and appears benign but it is quite soft underfoot and when the course is wet the muddy stretch at the start and at the back makes for a hard slog (ok yesterday maybe all the way around).
This makes it a nice challenge. Wormwood Scrubs does not attract one of the larger attendances of the London parkruns despite the wide spaces on the course. This adds to its charm.
The volunteers here are always friendly and we thank them once again for their time and effort. Parkrun cannot survive without its volunteers and we all ought to volunteer at least a few times a year. The volunteers on Saturday (and many of them volunteer regularly at Wormwood Scrubs) were: Ben le Rougetel, Charlie le Rougetel, Fraser Brydson, Marion Brydson, Robert Ferguson, Paul Woodgate, Fran Santos, Nick Michael, Craig Gunn, Peter Jordan and Frankie Lynch.
There were a number of newcomers to parkrun and a few first timers at the Scrubs. Welcome to the parkrun family to the newcomers and may you derive the enjoyment we all do from parkrun. Hopefully the first timers return to the Scrubs. Nick Michael has done an astonishing 360 parkruns at Wormwood Scrubs (387 overall) so we have a way to go to catch up. Rizwan Rauf (304; 323), Peter Jordan (276; 276), Marion Brydson (240; 254) and Fraser Brydson (232; 236) have all done well over 200 parkruns at the Scrubs - amazing by all and real dedication from Peter (there are other parkruns in London Peter).
Congratulations to all our parkrunners. Special mention to the first three Gideon Reid, Raoul Huysmans and Andrew Scott. Lola Raghavan, Lucy Pollock and Fran Lou were the first three women - well done to Fran on completing her 100th parkrun. Lola was also the first junior home - impressive! Josh Hallam was the first male junior to finish. Joaquim Pereira managed a Personal Best in tough conditions. Finally a mention for my running mate the Catalan with his eighth place (what are friends for if they can't mention you?). Well done folks!
Rob Bricout
Saturday 1 February
A merry band of 100 runners braved the squelchy mud of the 449th Wormwood Scrubs Parkrun. The sludge (temporarily) claimed a couple of running shoes but well done to everyone for getting themselves around the course safely.
A very warm welcome to the 8 first time parkrunners (Adeline Han, Kamil Riedel, Amanda Douglas, Katherine Thompson, Sophie Thompson, James Flynn, Agustin Gonzalez and Michael Burke) and all those making their debut at Wormwood Scrubs. We hope to see you again soon.
Using parkrun’s age grading % (which indicates how a parkrunner has done relative to their age and gender), the top five are Gordon Low (75.74%), Gideon Reid (68.62%), T.C. Collins (66.29%), Melissa Migliaro (65.14%) and James Malcolm (63.73%).
A special mention to those with groovy times - Jimmy Perkins with 22:22, Sophie Martin with 47:00, Stephen Eddison with 33:55.
And a drum roll please for this weeks volunteers: Andrea Broughton, Fraser Brydson, Marion Brydson, Craig Gunn, Peter Jordan, Ben Le Rougetel, Thomas Lindsey, Nick Michael, Debbie Peters-Mill and Alexander Smotrov.
Lastly, anyone for bingo? The idea is to take the seconds time from your parkrun result (the minutes are irrelevant) and cross it out on a virtual bingo card of 00 to 59. For an example, with a finish time of “31:47” you would strike off 47. Have fun going for a full house.
Keeeep running!
Hayley Siva
Do you want to know more about the parkrun or join the runners on Wormwood Scrubs? They answer your questions here:
What is Wormwood Scrubs parkrun?
It is a 5km run - it's you against the clock.
When is it?
Every Saturday at 9am.
Where is it?
It's run in Wormwood Scrubs Park, Shepherd's Bush, London. See Course page for more details.
What does it cost to join in?
Nothing - it's free! but please register before your first run. Only ever register with parkrun once. Don't forget to bring a printed copy of your barcode (request a reminder). If you forget it, you won't get a time.
How fast do I have to be?
We all run for our own enjoyment. Please come along and join in whatever your pace!
Wormwood Scrubs parkrun needs you!
It is entirely organised by volunteers - email wormwoodscrubshelpers@parkrun.com to help.
January 13, 2020