The 10th Durham parkrun

Maiden Castle, Saturday, October 15, 2011

Shaun Roberts

… and they said it’d never last!

A turnout of 189 runners on a cool autumn morning, 59 of whom were first-timers, shows how good a start the Durham Parkrun has gotten off to. The trackside seemed packed at 9 o’clock, as the sun started to take the cold edge off the air. There was quite a sprinkling of Striders in the field once you got your eye in – a few running incognito – and also several marshalling, but also offering support on the way round the course, for which many thanks!

On your marks ... I thought I’d give this run another go, as last time I finished 14 seconds over the 20-minute mark, and thought if I pushed it a bit harder there was a chance of losing those seconds. I started pretty sharply, as is my custom, but was overtaken by Matt whilst still on the track. Onto the grass, which was a bit on the slippy side this time … kept up a good speed, though … but I started to slow down a bit towards Baths Bridge, into a bit of a breeze. Managed to sneak a quick look at the watch, though, and there was still a chance, so got my head down, and got under 20 minutes with four seconds to spare, so was well-chuffed.

Matt had come in a second over 19 minutes, also a new PB. Andrew Thompson followed me in, then a steady stream of Striders came home – 17 in all. New Parkrun PBs for Debs, Jean and Jayne as well. Dave Robson came in in last place in 58 minutes … ‘cos he was sweeping! I’d wondered why he was in a yellow bib, after telling me he was running this one …

SO: Congratulations and many thanks to Alister and his team for continuing to organise this splendid event, which is clearly going from strength to strength … and also, once again, thanks to all the marshalls out on the course.

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