Last week at Burgess parkrun’s 500th event the New Year's resolution effect probably contributed to the 806 attendance, one of the event's highest. This week 786 returned and who knows where their running adventure might take them. A clue might lie in Chris Vernon’s running journey.
Completing his 385th parkrun on his 80th birthday Chris epitomises everything great about running and parkrun. Chris who describes himself as ‘rubbish’ at sport at school, only turning his attention to the running when 37 years old. Yet this turned into a passion which would result in completing 40 marathons across different continents. From the West coast to the East coast of the USA, the London marathon here in the UK, Spain, Australia and his favourite, ‘Two Oceans Marathon’ in Cape Town South Africa. Chris racked up three sub 3hr marathons to boot all whilst having a successful career and family life. Indeed today three generations of his family attended his birthday parkrun before whisking him off for more celebration.
A member of the Dulwich runners and a regular at Burgess parkrun, Chris always has a tale to tell, with accounts of having completed parkruns all around the world including accounts on some of his favourites in Wales. With parkrun encouraging Parkwalk he continues to attend and out on the course, his face is that wonderful mix of focus, determination and joviality. And when volunteering, usually as a marshal, which he’s done 74 times, he’s the most encouraging to all.
This week I was barcode scanning for the first time which enabled me to speak to people about how they’d found the event. Lots of red faces covered in sweat spoke enthusiastically about how much fun they’d had and how they’d be back for more. Thinking about Chris Vernon’s running journey who knows where running might take some of these new attendees.
Congratulations Chris on your 80th birthday, may you continue to be a running inspiration to us all.
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