A crisp frosty morning didn’t keep away this weeks field with numbers only down from 786 last week to 705. Clearly the New Year resolution runners are a steely bunch.
Whilst giving the new runners welcome I learned we had visitors from all over the UK including Scotland and Northern Ireland, Burgess parkrun continues to be a destination for runners every week.
As I queued to get my barcode scanned I got talking with Ed Thomas who gave good battle to the finish funnel. Ed is after his first ever sub 20min 5k being only 13secs away. I promised to resume ‘battle’ with him next week.
Whilst helping with the packing down of the event I saw the recognisable royal blue of the parkrun 500 club shirt and had to have a chat with the wearer who was the evergreen Jenny Hodson. Burgess parkrun marked Jenny’s 523 parkrun. With an impressive 388 volunteer credits too. Jenny is definitely parkrun royalty!
Jenny’s parkrun journey has taken her all over the UK and afar, from Dolgellau parkrun and Aberystwyth parkrun in Wales to Edinburgh parkrun in Scotland and Foro Italico parkrun in Italy. I always like to get a recommendation from fellow tourists and Jenny singled out Queen Elizabeth parkrun in Hampshire, with its great climb and views out to the Isle of Wigh. You can read my review of that event here ####
Not only are Jenny’s parkrun feats brilliant but she also shared how in 147 days she will be completing The Railway Children Ultra; https://www.xnrg.co.uk/events/railway-children-ultra# Starting in Tilbury the route follows the Thames along England Coast National Trails and the London Loop covering 50 miles. All proceeds go to the Railway Children Charity. Competing in the VW60-64 age category Jenny’s enthusiasm for running shone out, indeed why limit your running to just 5k!
Next week I’ll be back to Burgess parkrun and the sub 20min 5k attempt and hopefully helping Ed crush it too. Here’s hoping for less chilly conditions!
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