Thanks to Jo for this report from Saturday’s parkrun. In her own words. Ed
Despite the definite autumnal nip in the air, it was dry for the first time all week, and 60 runners turned out for our riverside run; including 17 first-timers!
We were delighted to note that ten different athletics/running clubs were represented by our parkrunners today, and we had lots of runners from the mainland taking part too.
We also had three doggy-runners today, and I am delighted to say that they – and their owners – behaved impeccably and seemed to have a great time!
Thanks to volunteers
Big thanks to Saturday’s race director – Elaine Tracey – for organising her last event before Ray returns from the wilds of bonny Scotland, and to all the volunteers who turned up to help set up the course, marshal the run or take down the cones and flags at the end.
We couldn’t continue without such support and you are a top crew.
Christopher Floyd first over the line
Now to the results. Our first man over the line was Christopher George Floyd (SM25-29) of the Windrush Triathlon Club in 17:28. This was Christopher’s third parkrun to date, but his first appearance at the IW parkrun.
In second place was three-time previous winner – and birthday boy! – Aaron McGrath (SM20-24), in 17:50, with Lliswerry Runners member, Eddie Hiscocks (SM30-34), third in 17:53.
New female course record
Running faster than ever again, and setting a new female course record at IW parkrun, was young Carla Plowden-Roberts (JW15-19) of the IW AC.
This was only Carla’s third appearance, but her third consecutive win, and she achieved a new PB time of 20:46 and came 11th overall in the process.
Second lady over the line, in only her 2nd appearance at parkrun, was Grace Crumplin (JW15-19) of Havant AC (and sister of regular runner and previous winner Eden) with 22:27. Our third lady was Karen Lewis (VW45-49) of the Ryde Harriers, in a time of 22:40. Well done, ladies.
56th parkrun for Mark Stevens
Special mention to visiting “veteran” parkrunner, Mark Stevens (VM40-44) who was taking part in his 56th parkrun so far! Mark came 18th overall.
Glad you found us, Mark, and hope you manage to visit us again sometime. I love how IW parkrunners are now automatically looking to see where their nearest parkrun will be when they go away anywhere!
It really does get into the blood, and I hope the phenomenon continues to grow and spread. I myself am hoping to take part in the new Nonsuch Park parkrun, in Surrey, when I next visit the in-laws!
New personal bests
Saturday also saw 16 new PBs, so a BIG well done to each and every one of you. Les Cupis of the Ryde Harriers was one such achiever, with a new PB of 19:08. He also achieved a score of 75.87% on the age-graded performance table – his highest so far – which has put him 8th on the IW age-graded performance table.
Our top scorer, however, was Andrew McEwen of the West Wight Road Runners, who achieved a rating of 76.62%, and his own new PB, which puts him in 6th place overall on the age-graded score table.
Scores on the doors
Leading the IW board overall though is still Graham Tuck with his impressive grading of 85.21% from our second event on 14th May.
Chris Amy of the West Wight Road Runners is our highest scoring lady on the table so far with 77.23%, and Chris should get extra kudos for being such a lovely, happy runner too, and always waving when I point the camera at her!!
In the male points table, Jay Tuck retains his lead with 1,341 points, and Michael David Morris is still in second place with 1,319 points. Kev Fry retains his third place position for the second week running with 1,206 points.
Eden Crumplin storming ahead
In the female points table, Eden Crumplin is still storming ahead with her amazing 1,690 points (Eden was our 5th lady over the line today).
The second and third places are still unchanged from last week with Katie Patricia Lewis second with 1,101 and daughter Elsie Lewis third with 1,039. The Lewis family were still away this weekend, hence the static points.
As Saturday saw 16 new personal bests, this brings the total number of PBs since the Medina IW parkrun started to 183. During these 17 weeks we have seen 237 different runners – representing a total of 30 different clubs – running the equivalent of 700 parkruns and covering a total distance of 3,500kms!
Will Newnham male course record holder
The overall male course record holder is still Will Newnham who finished in 16:35 on 6th August, and I’m thrilled to say that the overall female course record holder is now young Carla Plowden-Roberts for achieving her new PB of 20:46 today!
Catch up on Facebook
Ray is back with us next week, and if you would like to help at that event – or indeed any event throughout September – do please let Ray know on the “medina.helpers” email address on the parkrun website, or by contacting him through our Facebook group page.
If you would like to join us and run the course, just register your details on the home page of the website, print off your bar-code and turn up whenever you like!
No cost, no pressure, no restrictions – just lots of fun, fresh air and a really lovely bunch of people”¦ what have you got to lose?!
See you next week,
Jo Randall
