I did my first parkrun on the 27 September 2008 and today was my 598th run, and I have to say, without a doubt that today was my favourite parkrun I've ever ran.
I've being without a club for years, having got out of the habit during COVID. I was scrolling through running podcasts and came across this Marple Runners Podcast - Podcast - Apple Podcasts. Now when you run local races you get to know people you meet at them. Sometimes you run at similar paces, sometimes you share lifts as you live nearby, sometimes you race each other to the finish, others you know by sight.
I listened to the first episode and was immediately taken in by the self depreciating humour, the brilliantly scripted openings, the singing introduction to the new of the local runs and, perhaps more importantly, the all encompassing, all welcoming, 'whatever your pace is ' nature of Marple Runners. There are some running podcasts which are elitists, this isn't its so listenable and entirely relatable to everyday runners
I joined in April and only wished I'd done so many years ago. I'd recommend anyone, in the area especially those who are a bit nervous about running, who may think 'it's not for me, I'm not a runner, I'm too slow' to come down and meet the team on a Monday or Wednesday to see that it's for everyone. Whatever your speed you'll be made extremely welcome and by the very fact of running with people, you'll get quicker
Today was all about Marple taking over parkrun and volunteering every role. From Run Directors to pacing, to marshals on the course, to timers, token hander-outers to of course, Dennis and Minnie, our mascots.
Day started off with a tribute to one of the people that was instrumental in setting up Marple parkrun back in 2012 with Catherine Toombs and has ran 663 parkruns at 171 locations with 451 volunteer credits. James Kemp has ran parkruns in places such as the US, Canada, Germany, Denmark, New Zealand, and South Africa and until his recent retirement was the Global Head of Event Delivery. Incredible achievement and absolutely lovely man. Always a pleasure to see him
We also had the honour of being joined by absolute legend of Marple Runners and parkrun on his 90th birthday, Brian Platt. I don't know Brian very well myself, but he is one of the faces you instantly recognise. He is, to many people, what parkrun is about. He is the side of parkrun that is 'just more than a run in the park' he shows what parkrun is, that it is truly a community. People know Brian, Brian is Mr Marple and it was an honour to be there today where we all gave him a cheer and sang him Happy Birthday. In true Brian style he stayed, watched and cheered everyone on during their run.
Brian ran 504 times in Marple, and 159 at Bramhall (where he started), he also ran at Woodbank, Lyme Park, Bedfont Lakes, Basingstoke, the one off event at Bramhall midweek (when Adidas were the sponsor and they opened their new base nearby) and many more.
I've heard many stories (thank you Catherine Toombs) including after his century of runs at Bramhall, he was keen to help at Marple in any way, doing the pre race set up (with his distinctive purple hat.) Such is the love for him, local runners planted an English oak in his honour. Hyacnithe Loyson's 1866 sermon fits him perfectly
'A society grows geat when old men plant trees who shade they know they shall never sit in'
Only difference being, Brian planted that seed, has helped to nuture it and enjoyed and will enjoy its shade for many years to come. Hope Brian and his family read this and realise how much he's loved
214 people ran, jogged and walked the course this morning on a slightly chilly June morning, made possible by 47 Marple volunteers. Pacers helped 37 people to get PBs and 4 people brand new to parkrun got to see what a brilliant community event parkrun is.
Pacing is one of the best roles you can do in a run. Being able to help other people to their goal opens up a completely different side to running that you don't experience when your focussed on your goal. You can encourage, cheers on, berate (if you know them well enough) other people to hit the time they did not think they could get, taking the stress out of them having to look at their watch. I really enjoyed today and can't wait for the next Marple takeover
I am grateful to this wonderful club that has already helped me achieve my running goal.
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