Welcome to the report of our utterly SPOOKtacular and spine-chilling Hallowe’en parkrun 26!
The cool but dry morning saw a strange collection of witches, vampires, skeletons, monsters and ghosties assembling on the playing field for our 26th parkrun, and we even had a zombie-bride, a bat and a headless man in amongst the 91 runners!
The number of runners far exceeded that which we expected, knowing that so many of us are saving ourselves for the Great South Run, so a BIG well done to everyone who took part and helped to make this the most fun parkrun so far!
The spookily amazing Race Director today was Scary Ray Scovell, who was assisted by a positive army of marshalls and volunteers, including the ghoulish Ian and Wallace on timing and the haunting Natalie, Julie and Nicky on scanning duties.
Many spooky distractions
The runners had to put up with a lot of interference during the fun and high jinks of the run, including wicked-witch Chris Amy and her enthusiastic assistant, young James, beating runners with a broomstick to make them run faster, and a lot of other heckling from suitably clad marshalls all around the course!
Despite this all the runners managed to finish the course in one piece and were treated to a huge assortment of naughty sweets as a reward! Congratulations to frightening Finlay Grant and bewitching Brooke Norman, who are the two young winners of the spot-prizes for best junior fancy-dress, kindly donated by the local “Love Running” shop.
Winning parkrun for the first time was petrifying Pete Wilmott (VM40-44) of the IWRR in 19:06, with Wight Tri member – Steve Groaning Gratton (VM55-59) close behind to get second place with 19:19. Keeping them on their toes was third place Andrew McEeeeeeewen (VM50-54) of the WWRR with his time of 19:33. Steve’s second place also gave him the highest age-graded performance score of 79.55%, which keeps him in 5th position on the overall age grading score board.
Mary Norman first lady
The first lady over the line, for the third time, was mystical Mary Norman (VW45-49) of the Ryde Harriers with her best time to date of 21:02, which also made her 10th overall, whilst Lucy wailing Wells (VW40-44) was second lady over the line (and 15th overall) with her new PB of 22:15. In third place (16th overall) was previous winner crazy Karen Lewis (VW45-49) of the Ryde Harriers with 22:30. Mary’s win gave her the second best age graded score of 78.76%, which puts her in 7th place on the overall table.
Overall we saw 22 paranormal PBs achieved and 6 different athletic clubs were represented.
No changes in the ladies points table this week. Eerie Eden Crumplin – who was absent as she was taking part in the junior GSR (hope it went well, Eden!) – still leads with 2,283 points. Electrifying Elsie Lewis – who ran as a bat but was unable to finish due to injury – remains in second place with 1,801 points, whilst her Mum, Katie the Corpse Bride Lewis, is still in third place with 1,639. The Lewis family totally excelled with their fantastic costumes and they really encompass the family spirit of parkrun.
Mike Morris remains in first place
In the men’s points table, monstrous Mike Morris volunteered and hangs on to first place with his score of 2,102, whilst Jumpy Jay Tuck (who was still away) is second with 1,905. Creepy Kev Fry (sorry Kev!) hangs on to third place with 1,696 points.
Gory Graham Tuck remains top of the age graded league with his score of 85.21% achieved on 14th May, and last week’s winning lady – Juicy Jackie Perrin – remains in second place with her excellent 82.66%.
Jackie also remains the female course record holder after last week’s amazing run in 19:19, whilst Eastleigh parkrunner – John Collywobbles Collier – still holds the men’s course record of 16:30 from his run on 1st October.
Since the Isle of Wight parkrun started on 7th May we have had 358 different runners, representing 41 different athletics or running clubs, running the equivalent of 1,397 parkruns and covering a total distance of 6,985 km.
To cover this same distance Dracula would have to fly from the Isle of Wight to Transylvania and back almost twice!
Volunteers welcome
Ray is now putting together the volunteer roster for the next month, so if you can help at any event please let him know as soon as possible. We are always grateful for any help and support, but please don’t leave it until the day to offer your assistance as these things have to be pre-arranged.
Thank you.
