Vale Park, a Beautiful Run in the Heart of the Community

(picture copyright BrucieBaby)

339 people descended today on the  4th running of Vale Park parkrun, located at Port Vale Football Club with free parking next door at Synetic Solutions and bacon and sausage butties sold by the football club after the run

This is truly a parkrun in the heart of the community  Spronson Park is beautiful area with all weather football and padel pitches and multi purpose areas for kids with Special Needs.

As ever when visiting parkruns, it is a shared space and it is particularly satisfying in the summer months to see these spaces packed, not only from the parkrunners and walkers but others enjoying the facilities this lovely area has to offer.

I heard about the soft launch of this event but wanted to wait a few weeks for it to bed in and also not to overwhelm the volunteers.  

If you didn't realise that this was only the 4th event, you would have no idea as the Run Director Mark Taylor and his team were silky smooth in the way they ran it.  The briefing was funny, welcoming with a huge focus on the first time runners, Ayodeji Olayiwole,  Eve Loach, Jean Ncugi and Chloe Bailey.  Looking at the times, all the first timers did so well on a warm day on a tough course.  Welcome everyone and see you all next week hopefully to smash your result today.

When you set off from Port Vale you head into Spronson Park for three laps that is best described by  David Tennant's Dr Who as 

...up, n down n left n right and wibbly wobbly, BMX course type  brilliance.  

This time of year, its nice and dry, a tough hill at the start of the lap but also down fast downs to get your pacing back.  Three laps but so varied it never gets boring.  (May need those trail shoes in the winter)

First home today was Stockport Harrier's Andrew Davies in 17.54 followed by Mathew Morris (18.06)  and Anton Kaledinskas (18.18).  First two ladies were the Dixons, Lindsay (21.44) with her first run here and Melissa (22.36) followed in third by Hannah Hancock (22.53)

Its is likely that as the events goes on, the tourists will go decrease too, but this event is more than capable of hosting 300 plus runners.

Keep a look out in the Stoke Sentinel as there was a journalist here today chatting about local runners.  Hopefully you can get a great write up that this fantastic event deserved

Thank you to all the volunteers, the free parking, the really nice food and absolutely lovely bit of touring to a parkrun that is going to be a massive success

Summer Running, In the Hyde of the Beholder

 The Marple Runners race series continued this morning with a visit to the beautiful Hyde Park in Tameside.  27 Marplees descended on the park out of a field of 238 on another beautiful day in what is turning out to be a lovely Summer.  

The park itself is very easy to get to with a big car park opposite (shuts around 10.45) and plenty of spaces on the road.

We all gathered at the start for the customary club photo before the Run Director for the day, Gareth Hurfurt, gave the announcements.

Mike Woodall, Leag Garvey, Baz Mccabe, Abigail Tobin, Muhammed Rahman, Kerry Martin, John Armitage, Joshua Charlesworth, Ava and Michael Booth, Phillip Picken, Byrony Dale and Lousie Spragg all were welcomed into the madness of parkrun Day. (formally known as Saturday) They all set incredible times for their  first run....Only problem you all have now is beating it next week.  One problem..it is very very addictive.

I've not ran here for a few years, and I don't know why because it is such a lovely course, for a three lapper, it surprisingly varied, all very runnable, mixture of paths and trail, some steep ups and a nice long descent makes this a very enjoyable run whatever time of the year you take part.

First home was Thomas Lambert, followed 2, 3 and 5 seconds behind by Robert Shelton, Kieron Brown and Howard Oldham in (18.21, 18,23,18.24, 18.26)  Just glad I wasn't on the timings there.  What a brilliant finish (definitely not a race : ) ) 

First lady home was Marple's Eleanor Connelly in 22.57, Sapphire Cheng in second in 23.21 and Kate Haughton in third with 24.40

Going back to our club run,  Richard Williams was first Marplee home, 9th overall, in 20.21, James Nuttall setting a 23 second course PB in second in 21.38 and Paul Smith, also with a PB of 25 seconds in third with 23 minutes

Eleanor Connelly (1st time here) who flew away from me at the start and dropped me after the first 250 metres.  was 1st lady  home and 30th overall in 22.57, Anna Ashton  with a stonking 45 second course PB in 24.48 and Sarah Sutcliffe just behind her in 25.16.   

It was Anna's 499th parkrun today, huge congratulations to her and hope as many people can join her next Saturday for her 500th, which I guess it at Marple ?

I tried to keep up with Rob Sutchfield for the first two laps, but I think he was toying with me as he disappeared into the distance on lap 3...I'll get you next time Gadget (To you..To me)

Final mention to James Pratt who, after a few injury ravaged years is making his way back to fitness very quickly.  Won't be long before he's flying past me again.  

Thank you to all the Volunteers for putting on such a brilliant run.  Today is what parkrun is about.  Beautiful morning, so many people in a park enjoying themselves. To all those 1st timers who may have been a bit nervous, please remember, it doesn't matter whether you run, jog, walk the course, or a mixture of all three, this event is for you.  I can guarantee you, come back next week and become a full time member of this amazing event.

The Centre of Beauty

Whilst slowing cooking in the heatwave last night, I had a look on the parkrun app at the nearest parkruns I haven't yet done to see where I wanted to go. 

When it is cold and dark and raining on a Saturday morning in January, the last thing you feel like doing is getting in your car and travelling about an hour to go parkrun touring, but on a beautiful July's day like today, you've really got no excuse, and it came to where can I run that's the most beautiful ?

It came down two locations, Centre Vale or Huddersfield, both around an hour away, both looked equally pretty.  Hudds attracts between 5-600 whereas the Vale is normally a couple of hundred so I chose that as the better option.

It's an easy drive, mostly on the motorway with the last 10 miles or so on beautiful A roads in Todmorden. Parking is easy enough, I parked on the main road outside, but you can park at the Hare and Hounds Pub (according to the app)

When you get into the park, you can immediately see why they chose this as a course.  It's lovely.  I got there around 8.20 but there were folk already there setting up who were immediately friendly and very chatty.

They've got a great relationship with the bowls club who open up their hut where you can store your bags.  More excitingly though they sell homemade cakes, (£1.50) tea and coffee after run.  Apart from how nice (and big) the cakes are, the money they make from the parkrunners pays for their annual fee to play bowls there.  How cool is that ?

Course itself is a 3 lapper, mixture of 3 up and down trails, and tarmac and each lap.  Very runnable in road shoes in the summer, but in the winter, I'd imagine you may need trail shoes.  (For NW runners, its a mixture of the woody bit of Marple and the hills in Bramhall) 

It's certainly not a fast one but the down hill and flatter parts give you time to recover before taking on the second and last lap.

I really like these smaller events,  seem a lot more personal than the bigger ones.  I'm surprised this one, in particular does not attract a lot more but looking at the lay out of the course, it may get congested if it was bigger.  Smaller field is perfect for a great course like this

123 people took part today, Joseph Hornsby was the first runner home with a new PB of 19.39, Tom Barclay, also with a PB 46 seconds behind, with Ambi Swindells only 19 seconds behind Tom for first lady home in 20.59 with Ann-Marie Bullock in 2nd place with 23.33.  (Huge mention too to Charlie Moffatt in 6th with 21.12 in the 11-14 category !)   

The only thing stopping me becoming a regular visitor is it being an hour away,  if I was closer, this would be a regular event for me.

Well worth the journey and a beautiful hidden gem, one, I hope remains a bit of a secret

Marple Runners Takeover Marple parkrun

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.

Haigh there Woodland parkrun

 Agggh  

Another new parkrun and another absolute favourite.

Every single thing about this parkrun ticks the box, another parkrun up there with the best.  This was my 597th parkrun and my 54th different location but it is rare to find a location that has got everything absolutely spot on.  Some runs have the location right, or the cafe right, of the marshals right or the first timers briefing right.  Haigh Woodland has everything.  It was their  464th event and you can tell as this has the feel of a very polished event

I'm a bit of a lazy tourist and having done all the Greater Manchester runs, my  NENDYs are now around 45 mins to an hour away minimum.  With it being such a beautiful late Spring morning, I had a look at the list and this one jumped out at me.

I got to the park nice and early, you get given a ticket from the barrier and pay on the way out (£1.75 for 2 hours hours, £3 all day).  First thing you notice is what a stunning location this park is.  Beautiful location, nicely hidden away.  

Cafes and toilets are plentiful and the extremely enthusiastic and welcoming marshals were gathered around with music playing.

The first timers briefing was carried out by a young lad and, it is has to be said, one of the funniest, most confident and laid back briefing I've seen.  I assume he's done it many many times before.  If not, he's an absolute natural.

The RD then took over to give the safety briefing and (I'm really glad to see this is becoming more popular) made sure everyone was listening whilst she made it (making it very clear she'd stop if people were talking) 

276 people set off on the course which is a rare one lapper and a run of two halves.  It is mainly on woodland paths, with still some muddy bits, it has the look of needing trail shoes in the winter, but today was perfectly runnable in road shoes.

There were marshals all over the course who cheered you on as you ran steadily down hill for the first half, perhaps knowing what was coming in the second as what goes down must come up.

The good news is though even though the second half is up hill, it is still very runnable which makes this just a perfect course.  Obviously not a PB but certainly something you can go hard in the first half and keep going.

My overall PB is 20.31 and I finished here in 24.25, so that may give you some sort of indication.  It also makes you appreciate the Superhuman effort of 'JP Goudge' who was the first finisher in an incredible time of 17.51 (think he's a very capable ultra runner ?)  with Harley Making flying in second in 20.00.  Brilliant effort too for Lauren Blake,. 1st female in 21.55 for her first run here.

After I got scanned, I went straight to the cafe where you can get a 'parkrunner's breakfast' of three items on your butty and coffee for £7.50.  It's freshly made, so I didn't mind the wait.

Really, really loved this run.  They asked for feedback for improvements.....I've got nothing.  Absolutely perfect, ran with a big smile all the way round.

If you're anywhere near this location, just do it.

See you all again soon.  I've got a time to beat

Start of Project Sub 20

 

On the 5^th April 2025 I ran an overall parkrun PB of 21.05. This was after years of my PB being 21.15. In fact 2025 was a bit of a breakthrough year, before this I was hovering around the late 21s, low 22s for a flat 5k. 

I got a bit more serious last year and tried to train more specifically towards the 5 k to half marathon distances and bought a Noricktrak treadmill towards the end of the year to help me in that.  It’s a brilliant piece of kit, similar to a Peloton bike, in that you have  a big screen at the end.  Big difference though is that all the runs are outside and the gradient and speed changes with the coach, including negative inclines.  As it is a commercial machine the speed changes very quickly, letting you do your intervals runs more easily.

I tweaked my hamstring on NYD which put me out for 2 weeks but, encouragingly  my progression has continued this year getting a massive PB on the 28 February of 20.31 with 8 out of my 10 fastest parkruns have come this year. 

Main problem is that the times are not consistent.  Since I ran 20.31, the times have been 20.43,20.51(x2) 21.04 and today’s effort of 20.56. 

I clearly need something to a) get me consistent and b) get me faster with a structured training regime, with interval training.  With that in mind, I’ve joined Marple Runners.  A very friendly welcoming club.  One of the every present coaches there, Jeremey Woodham has already given me tips and some training sessions.  Intervals, pyramids etc.

I’ve also entered quite a few races this year, from a 10 miler fell run tomorrow in Rivington, Chester Half and what could be a PB aim, the Sale Sizzlers in the summer.

 

 

 

 

Lostock 6 miles. Proper racing (Spring hasn't Sprung)

Bugger me with a fishfork, that was cold !

Having been Sidney Smug yesterday, prancing around like Sir Rodney Effing (with 2 F's) and turning up at Fletcher Moss parkrun with my shorts and t-shirt, proclaiming 'ooh Matron, it's Spring, look at me , the horrible weather has gone', it was only fitting that Poseidon, wouldn't take too kindly to that and piddle over my racing chips.

I entered this race realising that I had ran it many years ago, it stood out as it was an unusual distance, 6 miles not 10k, but I could not, for the life of me, remember the course or anything about the race.  (It was only when I was writing this paragraph and I looked on my Power of 10 did I realise that the reason I could not remember the course was because I hadn't actually done it before, goodness knows what race 'stood out' then, as sure as beans, it wasn't this one)

A couple of days before the race, the excellent organisers sent out an email (and put the same on facebook) with everything you need to know about the race, including, really importantly, a 'what3words' link to the race car parks.  I'm a bit of a luddite and haven't used that before, but with one quick question on facebook they gave me the postcode too.  Just the first example of what a fantastically organised race this is.  (I did use the what3words app and it took me right to the carpark which was opposite the race registration.) 

I got to the registration about 40 minutes or so before the start and picked up my number and timing chip ( a tie on your shoe jobby).  As I was so early I was able to use to toilet without any queue but there were also urinals around the back which will have helped with any delays later (they did build up, so a few more next year may help, though I understand all this adds to the expenses).  

Most race marshals are, by the very fact that they are volunteers are good people, but one of them today went out of their way to help me.  Won't go into what she did, but one of the ladies at registration who was giving out the hats at the end...thank you.

Today's weather as alluded to at the start was not the best.  It was a bit blowy and every so slightly moist, to the extent that when the, very nice Mayor of Bolton gave his speech at the start saying 'just think, you could be at home doing the ironing'  I, and perhaps a few others, thought 'that sounds a good idea : )

Warm up lady gave a very enthusiastic performance trying to help everyone stay warm.  She did a great job, especially when her music stopped playing through the loudspeakers, though as you can see below, I was a wuss and hid under the tent.

Thankfully after a short stint of British tutting, we made our way to the start and bang on 10am we were off.

My plan before the race was to try to slip under 45 minutes but after running hard at parkrun yesterday and the weather today, I wasn't sure if that was on, but as it always my tactic in things like this I'd worry about that if I and when I blew.

Now I need to be honest, if your idea of racing is fluffy bunnies, stunning scenery and 'go go Gadget' pom pom waving supporters, this may not be your kettle of fish, but if you want to do a proper road race, with some naughty hills, lovely downhills and opportunities to race people who have the audacity to try to get past you, then this will be very much up your street.  

It is the perfect race for someone who does parkrun, has done the Couch to 5k, but may feel that a 10k is a bit too far or may be a bit intimidated by a big City Centre 10k.  Those races are crazily expensive, thousands of people take part and it may feel a bit overwhelming.  This race (and a lot of the local ones) are so friendly, have a great local feel about them, they are run for and by runners, they've been doing it for a long time and they know what runners want.  (plus it is slightly less than 10k)

It's not pretty but it is road racing at it's finest.  Roads aren't closed, sometimes you may get stuck behind other runners, and have to jump off the pavement to get past them (only to see them drop you 50 metres later) when the weather is bad like today, you're exposed to the elements, but despite all of that, I loved it.

Just after the start you turn left and almost immediately are on the the first the first hill which takes you over a bridge.  At this point, the rain was coming down hard and you were still cold from the weather.  There's a 30 metre climb in the first mile which has a double benefit of warming you up and stringing out the field a bit.  (also has a descent of 21 metres)

By the time you see the first mile marker, you start to get into a rhythm, there is still 10 metres of climb in the second mile and 12 metres downhill so you are always either going up or down.  Despite the unpleasant weather, the marshals were very happy (far more than they should have been) and pointed you around the extremely well signposted course.

By the time I got to mile 5 (27 metre climb) I knew I needed around a 7 minute mile to get under 45.  Good thing is the last mile has a nice down hill so gave me a chance to see if I could sneak under.  I did manage to put in a 7.07 last mile but crossed the line in 45.32.  Not great but not bad 

Men's course record stood at 29.04 by Harry Wakefield.  Unsurprisingly, given the conditions that was never going to be challenged but the top three men were : - 

Daniel Bird -Swinton Running Club - 33.06

Ryan Snee -Horwich RMI Running Club -33.25

Chris Benjamin - Leigh Harriers - 34.01

Meanwhile on the Female side

Course Record remains at Sophie Wood - Sale Harriers 33.17

and top three were

Dee Allen (16th overall) - Leigh Harriers - 36.46

Carolyn Capsey (32nd) - Swinton Running Club - 39.05

Heather Tomlinson (34th) - Bolton United Harriers - 39.14

I've ran so many races over the years that my t-shirts end up in the drawer (friend of mine made a load of them into a blanket) so it was good to see, something different in this one.  A race memento baseball cap.  I've not the the head (or more truthfully the ears) for baseball caps, but for non-Dumbo heads, they work well.

At the end of the race, I got nice and warm with some a lovely sausage and egg butty and a cup of coffee from the glorious local business, The Pendle Grill.  Exactly what was needed

Thank you for a great race and another training race down for Wilmslow Half end the end of March.

Spring has Sprung (hopefully) at Fletcher Moss

 Hello Spring, its' been a long time.

Ever since I got some running tights and an Under Armor long sleeve top for Christmas, I've done all my winter training, and races wearing them (have been washed a few times).  When I looked at the weather forecast for today, I realised it was time to get my little legs and armies out and get back into some normal running gear.

I've got Lostock 6 tomorrow and want to get under 45 minutes, and for the past two weeks I've ran under 22 minutes (Alexandra and Birchall Playing Fields) so the aim was to get as close to that here too.  I've ran this course 4 times but not since May 2022 where I got 22.47 and have completely forgotten the lay out/.  I thought it was more or less flat so with the training I've been doing, I had a course PB in mind if nothing else.  

I arrived about 30 minutes before the start and parked on the lane leading up to the start.  Weather forecast was right, it was lovely, sunny morning, so much warmer than last Saturday.  Perfect running conditions.  I said hello to the RD, Ben, and asked him if it was as flat as I remembered, 'there are a few bumps' he told me and reminded me of the course lay out (essentially like a weirdly shaped lollypop, straight to start with with two laps, before running back down to a home straight.)  Despite this polite warning, I thought I'd just go for it anyway and run as fast as I could as see if I could hold on.

I ran my 50th different parkrun last week but Fletcher Moss has to have decent shout for one of the prettiest starts to a parkrun.  You can see from the picture what a beautiful park this is and once again. can feel so privileged to be able to do this free event in beautiful places every Saturday morning.

I started relatively near the front and was joined by 401 other people to run, jog or walk in this gorgeous location.  It's hard to explain the elevation here, there are only 27 metres of ascent and it's probably best explained a bit like a BMX track sharp up and downs, with some sharp turns.  Not the easiest to pace but a really interesting course, with plenty of spaces to try to overtake whoever is next you.   My favourite part was the last mile or so which seemed to downhill and was my fastest lap.  

We are so blessed in this part of the country, there are so many different types of course within a couple of miles.  Alexander, flat and fast, Sale, best described as 'varied terrain' and not a PB, beautiful Bramhall etc.  What is more, despite there being just over 400 runners, the course did not seem overcrowded, even though it is two laps, the 'stick' of the lollypop stick is long enough to give time for the field to spread out.  You can tell that the core team when they were planning this put a lot of work into it.

First male finisher today was Duncan Birtwistle from Rugby and Northampton AC with 18.10 (PB of 17.13, overall of 16.21 at Alexandra).  First female being local runner Amy Weyers, from Chorlton Runner who was 9th overall with 20.30 (PB of 19.14 and overall of 18.17, also at Alexandra)  Well done both, you guys run a different sport to me.

We also had 23 people running parkrun for the first time !  Welcome everyone to the day that was formally called Saturday, now.....parkrun Day (also lower case, always one word)

Fletcher Moss is different to all of them, its relatively fast without being overcrowded due to being pancake flat, but it also has some small sharp hills which are just enough to kick you out of your pacing.  It's a lovely park, stunning start and finish and Didsbury village on it's doorstep.

I say this every week, but again, I'd be more than happy if this was my home run

Birchall, Half Cowell, Coffee and Freezing Running

Noticed a couple of weeks ago that I had a new Nendy.  Penistone had been my 'next to do' for so long, having one over in Staffs certainly made me take a second look.  I was planning on doing it a couple of weeks ago, but being the saddo that I am, I noticed on the 5k app that I was missing an '8' so waited to have a pop.

Another bonus was that running this meant that I had completed my Half Cowell today (50th different parkruns) which I had been looking to do for quite a while as I am, at heart, a very lazy tourist, 45 minutes being around my limit to tour.

I ran Alexandra parkrun last week under 22 minutes and wanted to do the same this week.  I've made the mistake before of pre judging 3 lappers as being a bit repetitive and maybe not something that would pull me in, but wanted to have a look as the video I had seen of the course looked quite flat with one slight small up bit.

It was cold when I left home this morning and when I arrived at parkrun, it was a lot colder.  Clouds had come down, it was drizzling and a proper February morning.

I parked up just by the changing rooms (toilets are open) and made my way past 'The Nags Shed' (brilliant name Rodney) coffee van and to the start.  The wonderful volunteers had invited runners to bring donations for local victims of domestic violence.  A wonderful initiative and something that epitomises  the essence of power of parkrun, when I passed it,  the table was already full of donations.

184 athletes braved the weather this morning and I was working out whether to warm up by jumping up and down with my coat or be a soldier, take it off and do a lap or two around the 400 metre all weather track.  I finally decided to put my big boy pants on and take a bit of a trot around.  By the time I got back we began to make our way over to the start for the briefing.  

Now I have done around 530 parkruns but none has been conducted so well as by today's  Run Director, Rdward he was only 12 years old but he was funny, had a great connection with the crowd, had all the info  and held our attention,  which was really hard to do considering how cold it was and we all wanted to go.   You've got a future in TV my friend !

I had the advantage of knowing the course as I had watched someone's Youtube capture of it   Birchall Playing Fields parkrun #2, so I knew that you had about 400 metres on the track to get yourself in a decent spot as the 3 laps of the paths after that looked like it could be tricky to pass.....Let's see

Starting where I did, near the front, was a good idea, there wasn't that many people there but nonetheless it gave you a great opportunity to try to position yourself with runners of a similar pace as you.  That way when you get to the narrow paths you have less people to get past.

This is a deceptively fast course, the cinder type track is easily runnable and the paths and are either flat or have gentle gradients.  There's one hairpin turn and a short section on the grass, but on days like this, when it's not muddy, it's very runnable which means that there is no problem is passing people, same pace or slower than you.  I lapped some folk and all it took was a quick detour onto the grass and then back onto the path again.  

When you complete your third lap you finish as you started with another lap of the track.  This was my favourite part of the course as you can put on a sprint and try to drop (or not be dropped by) the people next to you.  

I somehow managed to finish in 19th place in 21.56.  Now bearing in mind I ran a very flat Alexandra Park last  week in 21.49, shows  how fast the course is.

Taking into account, the team are in the very early stages of their event and are learning on the job, it ran like clockwork.  The first timers briefing was very personable, I've already mentioned Edward as RD and all the marshals were stereotypically helpful and enthusiastic.  Wherever I've been in parkrun land these brilliant people always make my favourite running event what it is.  Thank you.

Now coffee is an integral part of any parkrunning tourism experience.  Luckily my coffee addiction was satisfied by the great coffee in their own van in the car park.  The Nags Shed, a local company, already has seemingly developed a great partnership and as I was driving away I could already see a queue forming.  

I drove home in the post parkrun high.  I really do love my Saturday morning fix and  Birchall is
a very welcome addition to the field.  

Looking forward to a return in the summer to break my PB.

The perfect 10 (k)

Photo credits to Jon-Paul Kearns

Today I ran the Daffodil 10k.  My first proper race (ignoring parkrun) since before COVID.

I have been training properly, getting in some decent runs, speed sessions, longer run and base runs.  I've been on the weights, and peloton, and eating healthily with my primary aim in the first part of the year to do well at Wilmslow Half. 

Aim for this race was sub 50 minutes, which is 8 minute miles.  It was with this in mind that I tried to run at this pace in one of my early morning base runs this week.  Annoyingly, I really struggled, could not get anywhere near what I needed.  I tried again at Woodbank parkrun's alternative course yesterday and averaged around 7.20 which confirmed I was more or less where I needed to be.

This was supposed to be my third race since COVID (too ill to run Stockport 10 and Hit the Trail fell victim to a storm) and was excited to wake up this morning to find that the latest winter storm hadn't yet hit and it was perfect running conditions.  Cold and dry.

I've ran hundreds of races over the years from 5ks to marathons but this, without doubt was the best organised and one of the friendliest races I've ever ran.  When you were walking to the start there were marshals out pointing you in the right direction to get to registration, there were plentiful toilets by the baggage drop and you were able to pick up your numbers and t-shirt from the Sports Feet shop on the A6 all of this week.   Another added touch to a brilliantly organised race.  

I did just that, so cannot comment on the number pick up today, but I know that they were there bright and early this morning.  (Woodbank's Sarah Russell once again showing how much she does for the local running community was on duty)

I arrived at around 9am, 30 minutes before the start and made my way to the baggage drop.  I delayed handing my bag in till about 20 minutes before the start as it was really cold and I didn't fancy being without my hoody for too long.  

Again, this was like clockwork, they had two sheds, with the numbers divided (I think it was below and above 700)  between the two.  Quick hand over of my bag and a very short walk to the start.

I am not sure how many people were running, but as we started on the main road, it was wide and not congested.  

I did have a plan to run 8 minute miling but that was my worst case scenario and I did not want to go slower than that.  I figured that I would try to run as much as I could under that and try to hang on.  

Race kicked off and the masses headed up Jackson's Lane and turned right onto Chester Road.  It is immediately undulating for the 1st 1.5 k or so before you turn left towards the bypass.  You go slightly off road, before dropping down and then up over the bridge, 180 degree turn and down to the bypass.

It is then a nice flat run down the bypass where you get a chance to see the front runners coming back the other way.  Now this is where you realise that these ladies and gents are taking part in a different sport.  The first male, Joe Monk from Preston Harriers came past like he was skating.  Such a smooth running style and well clear of the field.  (Finished in 32.59, 1.19 ahead of T9m Sullivan from Chorlton Runners in second )

You then turn round at the top of the bypass before (just before 5k) and head back up again.   Great thing about this part is that it is slightly uphill, especially going over the bridge before the final turn round at the top of the bypass.  (Perfect place for water break too at around 6k )

As you enter the last 2k you can see the runners in front of you climbing up the hill to head to the finish.  You know, at this stage, that the lovely hill that you ran down at the start lies between you and the finish.  You can get a bit of speed on as you come to that and then go for broke in the last 50 metres or so and smash the final hill to get to the end.

As soon as you finish, there are so many marshals , as there were all the way round (hello Paul Plumber and Jacqui Evans) with water, foil blankets, and your race socks.

Normally I am not a fan of medals, they're quite the same, mass produced metal things which end up hanging on the back of a radiator or lost in a drawer.  Not so the Daffodil 10k, it is beautifully crafted wooden, rectangular memento.  You can tell, as with everything in this race, a lot of thought has gone into it.

If I thought the baggage pick up at the start was good, at the end (perhaps more importantly) was even better.  They had laid out all the bags and  a chap was looking for us coming round the corner, called out your number and you were handed your bag as soon as you get round !  

After the race,  Norbury Farm where the race HQ was and a couple of minutes walk from the  end, fed all the  hungry runners.  I had a lovely egg and sausage sandwich supplied by the butchers opposite.  Just added to the local, family feel of this brilliant 10k.

Goody bag was top notch.  Freddo, some sweets, and radox shower gel. 

Cannot recommend this race enough and am looking forward to entering next year. 

For the Stattos 

Mile splits

7.36, 7.49, 7.31, 7.31, 7.45, 7.11, (7.13)

 

Flatter a tiny bit longer

 I couldn't be arsed to drive anywhere else today so went back to Woodbank to have a jaunt up their little slopes on their very well measured 5k course.  What I did have in mind was Alexandra parkrun as it is flat and allows my little legs to run round and round without the nonsense of the sharp turns, neck breaking down hills, ankle destroying cobbles and bridges that the local ASBO owners use to chuck stuff at you as you go past (on the plus side it's how I manage to finish higher up at times, £3 well spent, for an extra 50p, they stop your Garmin....for an extra pound, they don't nick it) 

I arrived at Woodbank, but once again, the people had not reserved the John Space despite the fact that it was possible that I was going to turn up. However my day was made better with the wonderful news that Alexandra parkrun had been cancelled and Woodbank (despite them not asking me) had altered their course, I would imagine as a result of my comments above, to be a flattish (well as flat as these Northerners can manage) 3 lapper.  The thought of  the little faces of people turning at Alex to be met with a 'bugger off too much ice' sign when I was running around elsewhere, made my heart glow with joy.  

Anyhoo, the dastardly duo in charge took the 277 of us through the course, basically, start when they go 'start', run, run run, till you get to the Rose Garden, up through the gates, turn left at the sign thing, on the bottom and the other at the top, run past the right slope to the Harriers ground and to it again twice.  In order to bugger up anyone's chances of getting a PB, they added around .02 of a miles on it.  Either that or they did it as they thought it was funny. 

Back to the most important thing about parkrun....  How I did.

Well  I'm planning on running the Daffodil 10k tomorrow at 8 minute miling so thought I'd have bit of a go at parkrun and see how much quicker than that I could run.  I did ok averaging 7.21 so I'm hopeful I can run under 50 minutes tomorrow. 

Tom Rogers from Traffford AC came in first today with 18.57 and the first lady was Alice Willson at Saddleworth Runners with 20.56.  Bonkers fast both.

Thank you as ever to all the marshals and the two RDs Stuart Bell and Sarah Russell, without whom, I would not be able to prattle on for the above paragraphs.  Top bananas both

 

My favourtie place in the World

 I love Lyme Park, I love parkrun,  so running my favourite event in my favourite place is always going to be special.

Lyme, along with Watergrove parkrun in Rochdale is the hardest parkrun I've ran out of 49 different events, but I keep coming back.  Maybe its the scenery, maybe its the forever varying terrain, maybe it's the run to the cage, or the deer,  or the killer start or finish...whatever it is it is my favourite parkrun in parkrun land (along with my 'home home' the Gnoll) 

Today was my 530th parkrun and my 28th at Lyme Park. My plan when I ran here on NYD was to come every Saturday to try to incorporate hills into my regular training and get back into really good running shape and try to get my overall parkrun times down and get in proper form for Wilmslow Half later in the year.  

Unfortunately, the past two weeks' cancellations due to the weather put the kibosh on that somewhat so it was with a lot of excitement that I put on my trail shoes and made the short drive up to Lyme Park this morning.

For those that haven't run here before, firstly have a look a Nicola Forewood's vlog A parkrun You Won't Forget! Running at the Stunning Lyme Park parkrun. National Trust Lyme Park.   A great representation of this spectacular run.

Don't arrive (if you are driving in) before 8.30as the gates open automatically then.  When you drive through, you are met with a beautiful drive into the grounds, seeing the cage looming high ahead of you.  I take this place for granted but for someone who hasn't been here before you are in for a treat.

Normally it costs £7 per person to get into the park but it's free for parkrunners and the parking is plentiful.  There are toilets in the grounds and the very friendly marshals and RD is on hand for the 1st timer's briefing.

In the summer, you can run in road shoes, but this time of year, trails are a must, it wasn't so bad today, but can get very muddy.  

You start off and immediately face an off road, uneven off road climb up into the woods.  This, I think, is the hardest part of the course.  (You can venture off to the left on the grass which is slightly less uneven but I find sticking to the path is shorter and enables you to run a bit quicker)  You continue the climb up through the woods before you pass the gate and turn left (where the infamous Bowstones NYE race keeps going up) onto  the moors. 

This is where the fun starts and you can get a bit of speed going.  After a bit more of a climb, you suddenly drop down, but you need to watch your footing as it is again, very uneven, but proper, proper running.  You turn left again and run down past the archery fields (again can pick up pace but very uneven).  

After you get back on the path, you begin the climb up to the iconic Cage, down the other side, (you need to know the best route) doing an 180 degree turn before the final killer ascent.

Grab you token, have a lie down on the grass bank and get scanned.

Just in time then to visit the café, fill up on lost calories and plan to do it all again next week.

Lyme Park really reaches those parts other parkruns cannot touch

Take Me Home Mumbles Road To The Place That I Love

 I was born in Neath, moved away in 1997 when I went to Uni but have come back to see mam and dad who live in Neath.  Regular readers of this blog will know that I am taking dad up to live by us up North at the end of the week so this is very likely to be the last time that I run a South Wales parkrun. 

I thought long and hard about which one to do, there a quite a few near Neath that I haven't done and would get me my 50th different location but it only really came down to two options, both of which I have ran before.  One of my favourites places in the world, 'Up the Gnoll' or Swansea Bay.  In the end, it came down to the Gower, which was the first place in the UK to be named an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.  Much like the Gnoll, I had some great memories of my childhood spending many a long summer exploring Bracelet,  Caswell and Oxwich Bays and that's without the glorious days watching Viv Richards, Matthew Maynard and Waqur Younis torment all before them at St Helens but  when I asked dad which one would prefer he had no hesitation in saying Swansea.  

We last came down here in February 2023 when I wasn't particularly fit and I ran 23.19, before this month I had got back into training specifically for parkrun, that has gone to pot somewhat since I came down but I am still in better run shape than I was 18 months ago so figured I would give it a go.  (Not helped by my forgetting to look my time up before I ran) 

Now, this may be down to me, but for some reason when I put the post code for the parkrun or the Secret Cafe (best coffee and breakfast in parkrun land) into my Sat Nav, it did not come up, but weirdly, St Helens cricket did !   Quick heads up in case same thing happens to others.

There's plentiful parking around the start, if you get there early head to the wonderful Secret Bar and Grill The Secret Beach Bar & Kitchen (thesecretswansea.co.uk) if not there are several other car parks nearby. 

This is an out and back course in a similar vein to Ystylafera two weeks ago.  Completely different but equally as stunning views.  With all due respect to Ysty, this is even more beautiful than that.  To have a parkrun running alongside the sea , the sound of the waves lapping on a more or less flat course (with a slight slope at the turn around point) and the beauty of Swansea bay keeping you company is the coup de gras for a farewell to South Wales' parkruns

This is the type of parkrun where you will need to position yourself quite carefully at the start as there is some congestion when you begin.  We had 580 runners today and it took me about a minute or so to get into my running pace, I'd imagine if you started further back you could be held up quite a bit so you really need to place yourself according to your pace.

Once you set off though, it is very flat (joint 7th in the UK) you start off opposite St Helen's cricket ground (new home of the Ospreys) and head off down the sea front before heading off slighty right onto the coastal path.  What is really helpful though, is that there are kilometre markers throughout the course which helps you to pace yourself and gives you a great target when your starting to fade, especially on the way back.

Today we were very lucky in that Tri Hard Harriers were pacing us, I kept an eye on the 23 minute chap pulling ahead of him in the last kilometre and really surprisingly came home in 22.09 which is the 20th fastest time out of 508 runs, pretty happy with that.

After that we all went to the Secret Bar for breakfast.  I cannot recommend this place enough, the range of the food (including cockles) is very impressive, the portions large and the coffee delicious, even though my American nephew put the milk in his tea before he added the water (have a look at the picture before which shows my horror !)  

After spending a good 40 minutes or so pigging ourselves out, we headed on down towards Mumbles to have a look at the lighthouse before finishing off in Bracelet Bay near Cresci's for ice-cream.

There were some visitors today but if you are visiting Swansea Bay parkrun from any decent distance, I'd highly recommend spending a weekend down here.  Especially in the summer as it is a stunning part of the world, the seaside, the cafes, the wonderful volunteers, the run location, and the flat course make this one of the overall best parkruns I've done.  

Thank you Swansea, thank you Gnoll, Ponty, Brynbach, Porthcawl and Ystralyfera.  They say that you can take the boy out of Wales but you cannot take Wales out of the boy.  I have been living away from Wales longer than I lived at home but I will always be very proud of being Welsh, I love the beauty of the country, the self depreciating and warm humour of the people and how everyone has been so much to my 2 nephews (both of whom said they want to move here)   

As Dylan Thomas said....Swansea 'An ugly, lovely town, crawling, sprawling by the side of a long and splendid curving shore.  This sea side town was my world' 

Racing parkrun, and thank you to Run For All Neath

Gnoll 20 July 

I love parkrun and I love the Gnoll grounds.  My brother and his boys (Gavin and Dylan) flew over from the States this week.  One is 19 and the other 14.  Gavin, the eldest, a couple of years ago, had an 18 minute PB, since then though, he has really got into his rugby and has put on a lot of muscle and hasn't done a lot of distance running, even though I am around 25 years older than him, I fancied racing him and seeing if I could take his American ass (have to cater to his vocabulary) down.

The two boys, Gavin and Dylan have done parkrun before last time they were down in 2017 and I have been extoling the virtues of it ever since so I was very excited that they lined up on the start line with me today.

I also was given the privilege of doing the first timers briefing today.  This is one of the best volunteers roles someone can do.  It gives you the chance of not only telling tourists about your parkrun but also welcoming 1st timers to the madness of parkrun and as I explained to Sue Rideout and Nicola Davies the gateway to the addiction.  Ladies, behold parkrun Day (also one word, always lower case) the day formally known as Saturday.  Both of you got a really good time today.  The challenge you now have is beating it next week

Today, thankfully was a break from the really hot weather.  Even though it was still very warm there was a touch of rain in the air which made for almost perfect running conditions.

One of the best things about having my American cousins over to stay is showing them how hospitable and friendly us south Walians are.  They loved and love 'Nana Wales 'Grampa Wales' but without an exception, the courtesy and kindness shown wherever we've been makes me very proud to be from the lovely part of the world, from friends of my parents who have popped in to say hello to the lovely people up Neath Rugby Club who have been so accommodating allowing them to have a kick about on the pitch to inviting Gavin to train with the team next Tuesday.  

That warm Welsh welcome was extended to my parkrun family.  Thank you to Darren,  Lauren and Andrea and everyone else for coming over to chat and being so lovely which them feel like part of the set up. (even though Dylan pinched one of the tokens...sorry...(he did give it back)) 

I could be lazy and just say have a look at my previous run report for a description of the course but it's such a good 'un, and I really liked the way in which Darren described it to me as he is spot on.

It really is like a computer game.  First level is a very pleasant jaunt around the pond , no trouble, no lives lost.  Second, getting a little bit tasty, maybe think that you possibly went out a bit too fast on the first lap as here, you go round the pond, but then head a bit off road down to the cellars before coming back for your third lap where you will face the momma and poppa bear, the Al Pacino, the Pontypool Front Row, the Big Boss Man of hills and the main baddy of the parkrun level......  The Hill of Eternal Peril !  

Here you will face, steepness of the levels for which you will not have encountered before, a hill so washed in loose gravel and sparseness of foot grips that seasoned mountain goats would probably think twice, a hill where only exceptional runners run up without taking a walk break....it is therefore here where I ran up, and flew past the exhausted Gavin, being the young scamp that he is and sprinted off like a gazelle dosed up to it's tits on E Numbers and fizzy pop to enjoy the mad dash back down the other side, a quick trip back around the cellars and the final push for home.

We all know that parkrun is not meant to be a race, it is a run, but you know what ? When  Gavin flew past me in the first 500 metres, I made a deal with myself that he was either going to leave me in the dust or he was going to blow on the hill.  I therefore ran a lot quicker than I have in a long time, to keep him in sight and finished over a minute quicker than when I last ran here, two weeks ago and only 20 seconds slower than my PB.    Many thanks also to (I think it was) Steve Williams and his dog for the nip and tuck run we had together.  Racing someone (even if they may not know you're racing) certainly makes things far more fun.

One of the things I love to do at this parkrun is to bring my dad down and wave at him (less and less vigorously with each lap) through the cafe window.  Having three generations of the Richards family at parkrun meant a lot to me, especially being at the Gnoll.

We're taking dad back up North to live near us at the end of the month and I'm not sure where we are going next week, may well be here for a return smackdown with Gavin or we may vernture over to Swansea for a flat sprint.

If this is the last time I visit this very special place, can I thank each and every one of you, especially all the runners at Run for All Neath for making me feel so welcome when I asked about going for a run many years ago when visiting mum and dad.  You are exactly what a running club should be.  

Much love to you all.

    

Why is 'Y' not a Y

 

Ystylafera 13 July 2024

And relax....

Now that is exactly what I needed !

I'm still down in Wales and I'll probably be down here for the rest of the month, sorting out things for dad, making sure everything is in place for mum's funeral on the 24th and shamelessly plugging my begging people to donate towards the MS Rehab centre in Swansea(John Richards is fundraising for The South Wales Ms Therapy Centre (justgiving.com) )

Unlike last week, there was no doubt that  I was going to do a parkrun.  The only question was where.  After quite a slow start to getting into parkrun, they are popping up thick and fast in Wales.  Today was my 506th parkrun and the 49th different venue, having ran Gnoll, Ponty, Brynbach, Porthcawl and Swansea in Wales,  I looked at the 5K app and found  that Ystalyfera and Maesteg were the two nearest NENDYs to my dad's house.    

I looked at Ysty  on Youtube and was immediately sold.  What a stunning looking place and also a rare flat one.  It is an out and back but it is so beautiful, (see the waterfall picture around 3/4 of a mile in)  you really don't notice and it gives you time to properly concentrate on your pace.

Firstly though, getting there.  Best thing to do is use the postcode of the Junction Cafe (SA9 2HA - What Three Words, Orders Presumes Juggles) which is where everywhere meets (or use the big Asda just across the road) 

Now, I didn't have What Three Words and the stupid Sat Nav took me through Seven Sisters and ended up dumping me around 100 yards up the road by down a No Entry Street)   If you get lost, stop and ask for directions  as all the locals know where the Big Asda or the Junction Cafe are

When you do (hopefully) arrive, there's plenty of space by the cafe, where you will see a parking marshal.  The way to the start is very clearly marked, taking you over the bridge (where it is legally required that you must stop and take a picture) and then its just a short walk to the start, if you can get there in time without taking more pictures.

As it is an out and back course, there's plenty of places to leave your stuff and there are always people there to keep an eye on them.

Now the course itself.  It's flat, probably with a slight slope on the way down.   My splits were 7.28, 7.36 and 7.32, so it's a course where you can get your pace on and split it up into various sections...The waterfall, the photographer, where the fast runners come back, (Chris Tones flew past me just before the half way point and finished well clear in 17.03 for a new PB) , other runners on way back etc.

You can also race (obviously theoretically as parkrun is most definitely a run not a race) the person in front of you.  I managed to do just that on that way back using the two lads in front of me to pace and trying to pull them in which I just did before the end) 

For such a young parkrun (today was it's 12th)  it's incredible to see how well the team has everything done to a tee.  This is by far and away the youngest parkrun I've done since I've been doing my reports and you'd see no difference between this and one of it's oldest cousins, Bramhall.  (Brucie Bonus that this is the first 12th parkun I've done)

I also feel that I am repeating myself but this, too, is fighting for the medal for one of my favourites.  It's nice and fast like Swansea,  Stretford or Alexandra but there is something about the 'newness' and stunning location (saying that Swansea Bay is hard to beat) which I really loved.

Finished the run, got my time, handed in token...yakkaty yak....now for the serious part.  We've had the parkrun, what about the coffee ?

Its is well documented from previous run reports that the food is top notch, and I concur (had the medium breakfast, sausage and bacon was some of the nicest I've ever had)...what about the coffee ?  Well, the scurrilous rumours from previous penners of this report did not appear to be quite as first seemed.  

I am a coffee snob, I don't spend my money on many posh things but I have bought a really nice coffee machine so it was much chagrin, alarm and a slight degree of discombobulation (no idea what that word means it sounds 'shouty' enough to work) that I ventured into the Junction to check out the brews.  Now, it is fair to say that it was not a bean machine with the dizzying sounds of beans being ground up and served with a delicious aroma of coffee goodness but it was also not a sachet.  They had one of those machines that you put a packet it.  Not top class, but not like it had been reported.

My biggest takeaway though was the food, it was absolutely lovely.  I was only surprised that there were not more people in there, hopefully it got a bit fuller later on after I left.  Really important to support our parkrun cafes.

Cycle Route 43 is a very odd name for Ystalyfera parkrun but I can see why.  There is a 'challenge' that some folk like to do in that they try to collect parkruns with the names starting with every letter of the alphabet.  Ys are rare so if they did have a parkrun starting with Y, this lovely village would be packed with people trying to 'collect it'  It's a gorgeous place and the 133 runners today was just about perfect.  So I can well understand why this was done.

As ever, I loved this run, a lungs bursting, full speed parkrun is antidote to loss.  I cannot over emphasis enough the power of getting out in a beautiful place and getting away from it all.  Running as fast as you can, looking at waterfalls, stunning views and then sitting down for a lovely breakfast.

Route 43....thank you x

The Essence of parkrun

Gnoll parkrun 6 July 24

I was born extremely rich and very privileged.  I don't mean in an Eton, private school, Nannies and ponies type of way but being blessed with two of the most wonderful people you could ever imagine. My mam and dad.  That, I would like to think is worth far more than fancy holidays and expensive trainers.

I don't live in Neath anymore, moving away from home when I went to Uni, but I was brought up there. My childhood memories centre around going 'Up the Gnoll'.  Lazy, hazy days of summer were spent hiding in 'the den' (as you come up the hill on the left where parkrun used to go) that we were sure only we knew about, making yourself sick on the 'dizzy roundabout' on the field on the left where we start and the weird metal gym equipment on the grass behind the finish (I think).

My birthday parties in mid summer were not spent in paid for rip off places but my whole class were bought sausage and chips from Mrs Opals and the day playing cricket, football and rugby up the Gnoll and drinking loads of pop.  All made possible by a combination of two things.  My parents and the beautiful Gnoll grounds.

I'd imagine that it's pretty clear from my blog how much I love parkrun.  To have a parkrun in one of my favourite places in the world is so special to me.  Vast majority of the time, when I come home (will always call it home) I'll run here.  I have ran at Swansea, Ponty, Bryn Bach and Porthcawl but I always prefer to run here as it's so special.

My mam died this week, and running has been a sort of antidote to dealing with the loss of someone that was so selfless, so dignified and so strong in her fight against Multiple Sclerosis.  I've got up and ran most mornings, around the Gnoll grounds and down the Neath Canals.  I found it to be a mind cleanser and a way of escaping into your soul, to deal with things that should happen in your sleep (rather ruined by blasting out 'Live and Let Die' on my headphones at mile 6,) which I've not really had enough of.

I wasn't sure if I wanted to do parkrun this week, only had about 2 hours sleep last night and got up at around 5.30 to have a bit of a potter and to sort more things out in the house.  Of course, when  around 8.30 came about, the inevitable happened and I made my way up past the Gnoll gates, the 1st pond and up the hill to parkrun.

As soon as I saw the 2nd pond, I must confess getting a bit emotional. the wonderful memories of summers past came flooding past, with last summer when I pushed my mam up the hill where we spent 3-4 hours eating ice-cream and making fun of my dad at the forefront of my mind.  

Being a good British lad, I shook my head, went, bwamwaamea and carried on walking.

The parkrun itself, as you can see by the picture is centred around such a gorgeous location.  You really do  get a bit blasé about it, but today we had visitor from around the parkrun world, including at least two lads from clwb Bryn Bach (even though the gits beat me) and somewhere called 'Bushy' ?  (Must be a new one not heard of it before, don't you hate these newbie parkruns jumping on the bandwagon ) 

For those who haven't done it before...where have you been and why haven't you ran the only parkun that beats the (second) best parkrun in parkrun world, Woodbank ?

It's a three lapper, but, by Jingo, it's a helluva lot more than that.  It's a three lapper that is gradually longer and tougher than the one before it.  

You start with a tour around the pond, (check out the wooden bridge and the rapids on your left on the far end), you go around again, but this time run down to the old cellars from the Gnoll House.  Third time ?  Well, there's a reason there's no pacers here (at least I don't think there are) It's a climb up a beauty of a hill, across the top, before a mad as beans sprint/slip and slide down the hill, finishing off with another trip to the cellars and a sprint home to where the cafe and all your bags are.

One of things I miss about Neath are the accents.  Mine has been tempered somewhat with living away for 20 odd years, but there is nothing better to make you smile than some of some of the most enthusiastic marshals belting out support in a strong South Wales accent.  Never change Neath, I love you all. 

Cafe is really worth a visit, the coffee is really nice and a wide selection of baps (even though I always go for sausage and egg)

This is my favourite parkrun for many, many reasons.  Thank you to the kind people up there today that were aware or became aware of what was happening.  You're very special and your words meant a lot.

We are not asking for flowers for the funeral, but if anyone can make even the tiniest donation to the MS Centre, it would mean the world.

Take care of each other and don't sweat the small things, they really, really don't matter x

John Richards is fundraising for The South Wales Ms Therapy Centre (justgiving.com)