Brett's BFC Members parkrun review 28th Dec 2024 & New Year's Day 2025

I made it 44 current members took part at 12 events.

A total of 48 parkrunners took part at Great Salterns parkrun event #159

Paul Osborne and Yarian Slevin made the top 10 males and Maria Tucker the top 10 female finishers. Yarian ran a 35 sec PB, which means he's knocked off 1:02 in the last 2 runs.

In the Age-Graded Percentages John Bucketsofrain was 3rd, Paul Osborne 5th and Maria Tucker 9th.

Thanks to the volunteers

We are very grateful to the volunteers who made this event happen: Stefanie ARNOLD, Phillip DURELL, Kate ENGLISH, Ian GREGORY, Lynne JOLLEY, Darron JOLLIFFE, Kristian LAW, Nick LAY, Jen LITTLE, Helen MAYHEAD, Dave ROBBINS, Clive TUCKER, Maria TUCKER, Michele WEBB, Janice WELLSTEAD

Why not get involved and volunteer? On 11th January, we could do with some more marshals, but more importantly someone on Pre-Event Set-up and Course Check. I may be able to help with this.

Position ↓ Gender Position ↓ parkrunner ↓ Club ↓ Time ↓

1 1 Phillip DURELL Unattached 00:19:50

2 2 Paul OSBORNE Baffins Fitclub 00:20:28

6 1 Athene RYAN Unattached 00:22:56

7 6 Yarian SLEVIN Baffins Fitclub 00:23:44

16 11 Nick LAY Baffins Fitclub 00:26:18

18 13 John BURCHETT Baffins Fitclub 00:26:56

25 6 Maria TUCKER Baffins Fitclub 00:29:45

27 18 Kevin AYLWARD Baffins Fitclub 00:30:14

48 19 Janice WELLSTEAD Baffins Fitclub 00:55:35

A total of 410 parkrunners took part at Southsea parkrun event #517

Jason was near his fastest here, in fact I thought he was going to overtake me at one point. My time was my 1st attempt here since pulling up in June. It was my 2nd fastest since then. I was 12th in the Age-Grades. I have discovered that Cafe Fresco, near the Canoe lake Tennis Courts offers a 30% discount for parkrunners on a Saturday! This is possibly for drinks only.

Position ↓ Gender Position ↓ parkrunner ↓ Club ↓ Time ↓

1 1 Ben SMITH Unattached 00:16:48

36 1 Hayley NEWELL Unattached 00:21:00

56 50 Brett RUMFITT Baffins Fitclub 00:22:09

59 53 Jason SMITH Baffins Fitclub 00:22:19

106 15 Laura RICHARDSON Baffins Fitclub 00:24:48

113 91 Ryan BENDELL Baffins Fitclub 00:25:14

130 100 Sean REEVE Baffins Fitclub 00:25:47

134 103 Paul NORRIS Baffins Fitclub 00:25:58

146 29 Jo WILKINS Baffins Fitclub 00:26:22

165 123 Neil GRIFFITHS Baffins Fitclub 00:27:11

171 127 Eric DE GREEF Baffins Fitclub 00:27:22

230 64 Carrie HAUNSTRUP Baffins Fitclub 00:29:25

332 193 Kam FAN Baffins Fitclub 00:35:42

409 166 Katherine NEWELL Baffins Fitclub 01:03:53

A total of 687 parkrunners took part at Nonsuch parkrun event #614

Position ↓ Gender Position ↓ parkrunner ↓ Club ↓ Time ↓

1 1 Ethan NEWELL Unattached 00:17:20

6 1 India KAUR Unattached 00:18:25

144 119 Owen MARSHALL Baffins Fitclub 00:24:07

A total of 167 parkrunners took part at Shepton Mallet parkrun event #304

Richard Walker debuted here in Somerset and is our 1st here.

Course Description

This is a three-lap course, which is mostly flat with a couple of slight hills thrown in. The course starts on the small bridge, facing the entrance to Collett Park from Charlton Road (opposite Whitstone School) and continues for about 200m until you have to take a right at the gate. Follow the path round until you climb a slight incline for just over 200m until you reach Millennium Way - where you will need to take a sharp left. The course then takes you up the cycle path for approximately 400m until you will need to turn at the cone and run back down the same path. Keeping left the whole way, you will exit Millennium Way back into the park and take a left which takes you down to the lake. From there the course follows the periphery of the park, past the café and the children’s play area and down-hill towards entrance to the lake - the bandstand on your right. From there, the course takes the second left, back over the start, to be repeated for another two laps. On the final lap, there is a down-hill sprint finish towards the finish funnel - parallel to the bush/path, surrounding the lake, just before the main bridge.

Due to some pathways being narrow dogs aren't allowed at Shepton Mallet parkrun.

If you're participating with a buggy please contact the team in advance for further information.

Position ↓ Gender Position ↓ parkrunner ↓ Club ↓ Time ↓

1 1 Oskar BECK Unattached 00:17:25

7 1 Clare MARTIN Unattached 00:20:02

21 18 Richard WALKER Baffins Fitclub 00:21:47

A total of 198 parkrunners took part at Hartlepool parkrun event #486

Position ↓ Gender Position ↓ parkrunner ↓ Club ↓ Time ↓

1 1 John COOK Unattached 00:16:55

6 1 Aly DIXON Unattached 00:18:23

180 111 Robert BILTON Baffins Fitclub 00:40:16

Billy Jules Bilton ran his best time for 6 weeks.

A total of 157 parkrunners took part at Queen Elizabeth parkrun event #545

Jack Ingleby was 2nd and Louise Griffin 6th. Both Jack Ingleby and Paul Ingleby ran for the 1st time here, no doubt training for their Cross-Country with COPAC (City of Portsmouth AC)

Position ↓ Gender Position ↓ parkrunner ↓ Club ↓ Time ↓

1 1 Crispian BLOOMFIELD Unattached 00:18:17

2 2 Jack INGLEBY Baffins Fitclub 00:19:06

16 1 Vicky RUTTER Unattached 00:23:34

27 24 Paul INGLEBY Baffins Fitclub 00:24:56

43 6 Louise GRIFFIN Baffins Fitclub 00:26:40

A total of 184 parkrunners took part at the wonderfully named Parke parkrun event #470

Alex Gannon is still our fastest on this tough course with 26+:00

Course Description

The start and finish area is on the private drive to Parke House. After 90m head off right down the stoney path past the meadow, at the gate head straight across the crossroads and after passing the big wooden shed turn left up the steep hill. Stay on this path until for about one kilometre and turn sharp right near the gate at the far end of the Parke property, follow the lower valley path for one kilometre back towards the cross roads. When you get back to the crossroads turn left which will take you over two bridges over the old mill stream and River Bovey.

On the other side of the second bridge continue straight ahead and take the path up onto the old railway line (Wray Valley Trail). Turn left along the trail for about 500m before taking a right up the hill into the trees. At the top of the hill turn right and follow the path all the way round dropping back onto the old railway before turning left and following it for 200m before turning right back over the bridges to the crossroads. Turn left through the gate and back up the stoney path finish line.

Position ↓ Gender Position ↓ parkrunner ↓ Club ↓ Time ↓

1 1 Oliver REYNOLDS Unattached 00:18:43

8 1 Jo MEEK Unattached 00:21:48

64 45 Robert MARSH Baffins Fitclub 00:27:49

A totally random stat (that possibly only I would like) is that in the results there was a definite retro music theme. There were runners called Jo Meek (60s producer of Telstar and Heinz), Mike Smith (80s DJ) and Johnny Walker (DJ from 60s to 2 months ago) who passed away this week.

A total of 214 parkrunners took part at Peckham Rye parkrun event #491

Ian Briscoe is our 1st runner here as he continues to coillect South London runs.

Course Description

Peckham Rye parkrun is a 3 lap anti clockwise course, entirely on tarmac is mainly flat and therefore a potential PB course

The start & finish are located close to the Colyton Road entrance of the park.

This scenic course takes you over 2 bridges along the pond keeping the black metal fence on your left before turning right running past the bowling green and around the oval gardens.

Position ↓ Gender Position ↓ parkrunner ↓ Club ↓ Time ↓

1 1 Barnaby DAY Unattached 00:17:02

11 1 Mandy VERNON Unattached 00:20:33

31 27 Ian BRISCOE Baffins Fitclub 00:22:36

A total of 541 parkrunners took part at Lee-on-the-Solent parkrun event #437

Gordon Scruton ran his fastest since May 2024.

Position ↓ Gender Position ↓ parkrunner ↓ Club ↓ Time ↓

1 1 Tommy BLAKE Unattached 00:15:32

12 1 Kerry RICHES Unattached 00:18:43

84 70 Gordon SCRUTON Baffins Fitclub 00:23:23

491 278 Robert TURNER-DIAMOND Baffins Fitclub 00:41:15

A total of 214 parkrunners took part at Sittingbourne parkrun event #387

Jon Olsen and Laura Hyman Olsen debuted, but our speediest here remains Craig Lunn with 23:43.

Course Description

The course starts on a gravel path alongside the church inside Milton Creek Country Park.

Follow the path to the end and take the left hand fork onto a trail which skirts the housing estate. After 440 metres take a right hand turn (third path) then bear right. Continue straight ahead and turn right at the end of the path. Carry on straight and then bear left at the wooden train. Carry on along the trail path, past the pond on your left. Carry on to the ‘dog leg’ corner, go right. Carry on until the next left path and go along the path. Turn right at the junction, and follow the path until you see the wooden train; Repeat that loop. Then at the wooden train carry straight on and retracing the original route. The finish is beyond the start on the far side of the main field path near the toilets.

The course is suitable for buggies but the area can be very boggy after heavy rain.

Position ↓ Gender Position ↓ parkrunner ↓ Club ↓ Time ↓

1 1 Alexander BARBER Unattached 00:17:53

18 1 Victoria FEARN Unattached 00:21:51

103 72 Jon OLSEN Baffins Fitclub 00:29:00

123 38 Laura HYMAN Baffins Fitclub 00:30:13

A total of 361 parkrunners took part at Portsmouth Lakeside parkrun event #375

Ian Saynor was not too far from his best time at Lakeside.

Position ↓ Gender Position ↓ parkrunner ↓ Club ↓ Time ↓

1 1 Ross CHRISTIE Unattached 00:17:58

33 1 Nicola THOMAS Unattached 00:22:12

60 54 Ian SAYNOR Baffins Fitclub 00:23:55

62 55 Craig LUNN Baffins Fitclub 00:23:58

98 80 Geoffrey NEWMAN Baffins Fitclub 00:25:28

284 92 Alison NEWMAN Baffins Fitclub 00:35:39

A total of 103 parkrunners took part at Centre Vale parkrun event #210

Becci Knowles ran here (near Todmorden which is also near the UK's other Portsmouth) for the 1st time and is our 1st too.

Course Description

Starting in the old coachyard (the courtyard behind the statue of John Fielden) head down to the statue and turn left onto the main path. The course runs clockwise past the yellow barrier, behind the bandstand then to the left of the children's play area and into the woods. When coming down the hill out of the woods there is a sharp turn up behind the memorial gardens and around the tennis courts. When back on the main circuit this lap is repeated twice more. After completing 3 laps when emerging from the path from the tennis court turn left again to the bowling greens for the finish.

Position ↓ Gender Position ↓ parkrunner ↓ Club ↓ Time ↓

1 1 Andrew WORSTER Unattached 00:17:23

10 1 Daisy HUNTER Unattached 00:21:57

46 11 Rebecca KNOWLES Baffins Fitclub 00:26:33

On New Year's Day parkrun do not produce the same comprehensive results that I can tap into, but with help from the 5k App here are some highlights for the 1st events of 2025.

22 members at 5 events.

Billy Jules Bilton ran again at Hartlepool, again faster 40:05 than he had for some 6 weeks. Will be under 40 soon again.

Gordon Scruton ran 24:57 at Shrewsbury for the 1st time just beating our previous best of 25:07 by Becci Knowles

Course Description

Situated in the centre of Shrewsbury the Quarry Park offers tarmac paths through avenues of trees and along the river Severn. Good surfaces on the whole course with three inclines.

Participants will be walked to the start line from the bandstand. Mini lap 1 ? starting on Victoria Avenue head towards Hercules monument, turn right, go up the hill to the War Memorial, turn right, follow the path to the downhill section on the tree lined path, turn right. Lap 2 ? continue along Victoria avenue with the river to the left, this time continue to the coffee shop before turning right to head uphill, past the swimming baths , follow the path back to the downhill tree lined path, this time turn left, continue toward the monument (river will be on the right), round the monument, Lap 3 - head back all the way along Victoria Avenue to the coffee shop, turn right back up the hill, past the swimming baths, follow the path to the downhill tree lined path, turn left, continue along the path, past the tennis courts (on the left) before entering the finish.

Shelley Locke pacing at Southampton with 34:25

Robert Marsh a debut at Torbay Velopark 24:25 (our fastest current member is Jason Smith 22:24)

Course Description

A flat course starts on the Torbay Velopark Cycle Track located next to the Torbay Leisure car park and heads anti-clockwise for two laps before exiting the track through two gates on to a gravel path leading on to Clennon Field for a one lap passing Clennon Lake around the football pitches and Astroturf pitch, finishing by the Velopark gates.

Sorry No Dogs allowed at Torbay Velopark parkrun.

With a few local runs either not providing a New Year's Day run or cancelling due to the weather or site access problems on a Bank Holiday at Great Salterns we had a record number with our inaugural (238) from January 2022 being surpassed by Carol Seymour the tailwalker who took it to 239.

3rd Jack Ingleby 18:26 behind the inevitable 1st placed course record holder James Baker (17:21) of Chichester. Conrad Meagher (18:19) was 2nd, who I did my coaching course with some 5 or 6 years ago. He liked the course and will be back.

19 Paul Osborne 21:37

43 Yarian Slevin 24:24

45 Me 24:33

46 Ian Briscoe 24:37

49 Paul Ingleby 24:42

73 Geoff Newman 26:26

88 Becci Knowles 27:39

89 Ian Saynor 27:47

90 Craig Lunn 27:48

112 Libby Osborne 29:09

133 Paul Harrison (course debut) 31:41

137 Maria Tucker 31:59

151 Jon Olsen 33:06

158 Kim Stroud 33:17

159 James Yorke 33:18

161 Laura Hyman Olsen 33:22

212 Louise Griffin 40:01 ( couldn't find somewhere to park so started very late)

Thanks to the volunteers

We are very grateful to the volunteers who made this event happen: Guy BLAIN, Paula BLAIN, Val CAMERON, Paul CLIFT, Ruth COLLINS, Ian GREGORY, Louise GRIFFIN, Lynne JOLLEY, James KING, Nick LAY, Alisdair LITTLE, Jen LITTLE, David MOORE, Edward MORRIS, Bob PENTLAND, Brett RUMFITT, Sally RUMFITT, Carol SEYMOUR, Jason SMITH, Jen STONEHAM, Clive TUCKER, Maria TUCKER, Samuel WINTON, Alex YORKE

the Volunteers coped very well with 4 to 6 times our normal numbers of runners and walkers. The only changes some of us thought with increeased numbers might be to lengthen the finishing funnel, maybe have a finishing funnel manager and ensure we have 2 barcode scanners with a 3rd to hop on once they have finished running.