Happy New Year to you all!
If you’re anything like me, you’ll be wondering how on earth you’re going to consume the remaining 4 billion calories in your house before the diet starts tomorrow…but then someone very wise once said to me that diets are better started in February anyway; January already comes with its challenges!
Christmas Day parkrun
We start in Ashford, where 232 people, elves, reindeer and other Christmas themed characters, ran or walked the Victoria Park course!
Justin Burden was first Strider across the line with a time of 23:35, followed by Jack Farrant with a time of 23:37, and then with a shiny new PB, Simon Pharoah was third Strider, with a time of 23:39
They were followed by Terry Sellen 24:20, Jason Kennedy 25:03, Graham Troman 25:48, Scott Hawkins 25:49, Hazel Turner 26:47, Darren Laker 26:53, Richard Randle 27:56, David Gadsby 28:25, Jason Sanders 28:35, Nicola Crawley 28:37, Don Dewar 28:46, David Helme 28:53, Charlotte Housden 29:49, Josh Stephens 30:16, Andy Found 31:24, Elle Weekes 31:26, Claire Green 31:28, George Cromwell 31:31, Lucie Shrubsole 31:37, Catherine Wall 31:47, Justine Wearn 32:18, Siobhan Hagan 32:33, Katie Fox 32:44, Sharon Gardner 32:55, Victoria Shrubsole 34:56, Sharni Copham 34:57, Michelle Bryant 35:00, Rachel Tomsett 35:02, Martin Whittingham 35:16, Dee Millen 38:11, Julie Foster 41:10, and Sally Davidson-Daniel 42:23. Danielle Moss celebrated her milestone 100th Parkrun with a lovely 49:07 and finally Lisa Gribbin tail walked her way round in 57:14!
Christmas Volunteers included Justin Burden, Rita Cooke, Dermot Carr, Don Dewar, Lisa Gribbin, Siobhan Hagan, Peter Heckel, Mark Niles and Lee Standen – The Christmas runners were all extremely grateful for your time, thank you!
Parkrun Tourism
Paul Baker and Tamsin Ritchie both completed Albert parkrun in Middlesbrough, finishing in 26:51 and 27:33 respectively
Peter Broom was in Milton Keynes where 805 runners took part in their parkrun! Peter completed the run in 35:13.
Jamie Penfold completed the The Pastures parkrun in Alnwick in 27:50.
Cherith Wright returned home to Ireland recently and ran the Ecos Parkrun in Ballymena, completing the course in 23:11
Saltwood Boxing Day Run
We had six Striders representing the club at the very muddy course in Saltwood. This was a 5k trail race and the first Strider in was Dan Green in 22:10. Next in and both with PB’s were Jason Kennedy – 28:06 and Jason Sanders – 33:12. Kate Stroud followed shortly behind in 35:17 with Andy Found coming in at 46:23 and Nic Crawley in 47:45
Ashford Parkrun 30/12/2023
Record numbers attended this week’s parkrun at Victoria Park with a total of 332 people running and walking the course. That’s the highest attendance since 2020!
Adam Booth was first Strider in at 18:45, followed by Keith Haynes at 19:44 and then third was Jack Farrant at 22:13.
They were followed by Terry Sellen 24:44, Christopher Wicks 25:15, Graham Troman 25:16, Scott Hawkins 26:25, Hazel Turner 26:53, Don Dewar 27:17, Claire Green 27:35, Jamie Bartlett 28:16, David Gadsby 28:33, Darren Laker 28:43, Jo Mason 28:45, Stephen Cleaver 28:55, Isobel Phillips 29:19, Amanda James 29:22, Michelle Bryant with a lovely 30:00 exactly! Josh Stephens 30:26, Rachel Tomsett 30:34, George Phillips 31:02, Ash Robinson, with a fantastic new PB of 31:24! Amanda Cooper 31:52, Siobhan Hagan and Dermot Carr neck and neck with 31:55, Michelle Brice 32:36, Rita Cooke 32:55, Peter Broom 34:39, Martin Whittingham 35:01, Sara Dewar 36:44, Leigh Freeman 36:48, Lisa Fulcher 37:25, Tamsin Ritchie 38:28, Holly Forrest 40:51, Lynnette Whittingham 1:00:48 and then Rachel Misson and Lisa Gribbin both came in at 1:00:49.
Volunteers this week included Jason Caldwell, Sharni Copham, Don Dewar, Julie Foster, Peter Heckel, Simon Jackson, Terry Sellen, Kevan Strand – Thank you all!
Parkrun Tourism
Reigate Priory Parkrun – we had four members run this route, first in was Justin Burden 26:27, then Nicola Crawley 31:10, Justine Wearn 33:59, and Laura Clark 41:25.
Dartford Heath, Mark Niles completed this course in 27:24.
Jamie Penfold was at Lancing Beach Green and completed the course in 26:11.
Andrew Maund went to Mote Park and completed that course in 32:13.
Last but not least, Dover Waterfront Parkrun, Dee Millen was first Strider home completing the course in 32:59, Richard Randle ran with Rick Newman and they both came in at 46:56.
Staplehurst 10 mile
Finally, the last run of the year was a 10 Miler. Michael Davies completed the race in 1:15:22, also earning himself a trophy for best in age! Well Done Michael!
So there we have it, after numerous miles, countless races and many Parkruns, 2023, we are done! Happy New Year all!
