Run Report #35 – 22-6-24 (2024)

I travelled from near Chipping Sodbury on a fine morning to try my nearest "Q" in Devizes, amd also to see some sights in the town afterwards. The parking was easy to find at the sports club (and free!), and there were parkrunners there already. I was asked if I knew where event was, but it was easy to find with google maps. Only a ten minute walk from the car park through a residential area. I saw the familiar yellow parkrun signs as the road petered out into the footpath area where everyone was meeting.

I talked to Sam from Chippenham (pictured) who was wearing a tutu, as the date was 22! The event had quite a few visitors today as contacts were made during the parkrun quiz over COVID. It is nice that many of there people met today, including from Germany, who bought some lovely chocolate!

We had visitors from (deep breath) - Germany, Wales, Scotland, Bradford, Reading, Chipping Sodbury, Oxford University, Glossop, Crewe, Witney, Market Harborough, Nottingham, London, Pontefract, Bicester, Bath, Lydiard park Swindon, Southampton, Warrington, Croydon, Stoke on Trent and Redruth. For the 35th event today there were 205 finishers with Jake Stephens fastest in 17:36. The course is flat overall with a deceptive slope heading away from the finish line each lap, so I certainly felt it! There was plenty of encouragement on each of the three laps on paths so many thanks to the team today, and there were many tutus on display of course! The path was fairly easy to run on, so roadshoes are fine.

After my run I headed to the runners cafe by the canal to enjoy a drink and cake for a pound, with the proceeds going to charity. I had a walk down to the famous Caen hill series of 21 locks, which was worth the walk on this sunny morning. There were other parkrunners there as well as in the pub by the locks. I also went to the Wiltshire museum in the town (recommended) and bought some Wadworth beer in the temporary shop in the Bear hotel. All in all, a great morning but it would not have happened without the volunteers who keep our events going week in and week out. Please help your local event as much as you can. I know as an RD how difficult it can be to fill the roster most weeks.

Best regards

John Francksen

Chipping Sodbury RD

A beautiful warm sunny morning is what should have greeted us as we all arrived for parkrun at Quakers Walk this morning!!

Instead, we had intermittent rain and winds on this summers day in

June in the south of the UK

At 08:45, Neil announced the first timers briefing duties - he had the task of informing 112 runners, joggers and walkers all the information needed to keep them safe and explain the route and any hazards. We listened intently as he detailed the route which can best be described as the letter P... It's a lovely 3 loop event which is pretty stable underfoot in most areas. We ran on a mixture of tarmac paths and hard gravel tracks. This morning's weather saw a mix of trail and running trainers and I think either was fine.

Today it was the turn of Leigh-Ann to be our run director. Just before 09:00, she announced the main briefing along with the usual Parkrun safety explanations, there was a shout out to the milestones which was met with a nice round of applause.

- Rachel and Dale both achieved their 100th different parkrun

- Roy celebrated his 25th

- We also had a birthday celebration for Bronwyn!

A total of 227 of us gathered and this is how we stacked up:

- 112 first timers to Quakers! - that's just under 50%

- 35 new PB's set.

- 1st Female was Amy Clewley in 21:09

- 1st Male was Joe Bowerbank in 16:47

A massive shout out to all 36 volunteers who were on hand to help and encourage us all. As we all know, Parkrun could not happen without them, so a massive thank you to you all.

James ALLEN, Katie ANNING, Claire BENSON, Gillian BRIGHTWELL, Mike BRITTON, Helen BROWN, Paul BUCKINGHAM, Scott BURGESS, Leigh-Ann COLLINGS, Caroline COX, Sarah CRITTLE, Claire EARLEY, Tony EARLEY, Michelle EVANS, Els FRESHWATER, Simon GIBBS, Joanne GILES, Ryan HARDIMAN, Lisa JONES, Neil JONES, Sally KIMBER, Rick LAW, Annicea MADINE, Laura MANSELL, Irene MEREDITH, Mark OWEN, Simone PAVEY, Harriet PHILLIPS, Matt RUSSELL, Pete SCOLLS, Hannah TELFORD, Ian R THOMPSON, Margaret THOMPSON, Brian TIERNAN, Emma WILSON, Lee ZURYBIDA

A really nice Parkrun and one I'd happily recommend.

After the event, there is a nice little place to go and have a drink

and a slice of cake - For £1. A great deal for all and money going to

a great cause. The cafe's location is explained on the day.

Looking forward to my next time at Quakers!

Thanks