Author: Liz Simpson

Parkrun returned to Stockton-On-Tees on Saturday following an extended absence. The new venue is called Wynyard Woodland. On Tuesday Helen J had said try to get there early as it's expected to be quite busy. She wasn't wrong. We could have done with an overflow carpark to the overflow carpark. Every little nook and cranny was used as everyone eventually found a spot to park - even if it meant a bit of a walk to the start. Speeches were delivered at the cafe to the assembled 414 runners, friends, family and volunteers. Rumours were circling at the start that it may be a bit wet and muddy in places... and then we were off. The route itself is a simple out and back - and it's trail rather than…

Pleasant conditions on Saturday and Striders were out in force at the local (and not so local) parkruns. 14 Striders made the trip to Herrington Country where Emma Fleming continued her great run of form. Emma was 1st lady to finish - got a 70%+ age grading - and an all-course personal best time. Emma is inching towards a sub-20 parkrun time which I'm certain she'll achieve in the coming months. Great work. Tom Ramsey and Michelle Ince recorded new pb's. Glenn Cooper got a 70%+ a-g and Izzy Morgan was 3rd lady to finish. Elsewhere, David Murphy celebrated his 450th parkrun at Jubilee. Well done, David. Caroline Horton got an age-grading of fractionally under 80% at Albert. Excellent running Caroline. Sedgefield saw Michael Meggs and Daniel Mcilvenny get new…

There were milestones and pb's aplenty on Saturday. Hub of all the action was Stewart Park - with 36 Striders in attendance. Liz Simpson reached the 400 parkrun milestone - a little over 10 years from her first event. Diane Johnson completed her 250th parkrun. Good going ladies. Chloe Turner recorded an all-course pb. Nice work Chloe. Rebecca Stout and Emma Fleming picked up Stewart pb's. Emma was also the first lady to finish. Elsewhere there was another Strider doing parkrun number 250 - and that was Kirsty Alderthay at Town Moor. Tom Murphy (70%+ age-grading) and Tom Holland got all-course pb's at Hartlepool. Great work. Simon Russell achieved a 70%+ a-g at Albert. Izzy Morgan was third lady to finish, in a new pb, at Sedgefield. There were two…

Sunday saw the final event of the winter NYSD XC season at Darlington. Saturday's parkruns had big Striders turnouts at both Sedgefield and Stewart. Starting with Sedgefield - Abby Barker (70%+ age-grading) was first lady to finish. Daniel Mcilvenny got a new pb and Helen Mcilvenny a 70%+ a-g. Liz Simpson was doing her 399th parkrun... Tom Ramsey recorded a pb at Stewart. Elsewhere, Mike Cleasby hit the 300-parkrun milestone at Herrington Country. Phil Baines (70%+) got an all-course pb for the second week in a row at Albert. Good work Phil. The venue also saw Dara Mavi reach 50 parkruns and Simon Russell get a 70%+ a-g. Caroline Horton reached a 70%+ a-g at Redcar. Jamie Bentley was third finisher at Erddig (Wrexham). Emily Palmer was third lady to…