Strong winds and mild temperatures this weekend. Mike Cleasby breezed to a new pb at Wynyard. A special mention for Gareth Maloney who racked up 50 volunteer credits on Saturday. Thanks for all your help with organizing the event Gareth. Kirsty Alderthay (who also has an impressive 57 volunteer credits) was the other Striders volunteer on duty at Wynyard. Elsewhere, Daniele Meucci celebrated his 100th parkrun at Sedgefield. Dan brings some much needed Italian panache to the club – and he was joined by 24 other Striders. Izzy Morgan and Helen Mcilvenny were 2nd and 3rd ladies to finish. 12 more Striders at Stewart where Grant Mcgrath did his 50th parkrun. Cat Clennett and Mathew Kirby got new pb’s. Phil Baines pb’d at Whitley Bay and Caroline Horton got a 70%+ age-grading at Albert. Jane Stohrer had a run at Neckarufer near Stuttgart. Striders too at Falkirk, Durham, Darlington, Hackworth, Hartlepool, Flatts Lane, Rushmoor, Hillsborough Forest, Cusworth Hall (Doncaster) and Doddington Hall (Lincoln).
Twas the night before Christmas and I checked in on my dear old friend, veteran Strider, Dave Fender. Matron had organized a day of activities culminating with a poetry competition in the evening. (anything to distract the residents from the rigours of parkrun). It was a big deal. There were prizes for the 10 best poems and Dave could hardly contain his excitement. The brief was to create a poem based on one’s interests outside of running. Dave likes football and travel and so that was to be his theme – and he decided on a ‘stanza’ to maximize its structure and rhythm. The standard of poetry had been excellent and Dave was last in line to go up and read his out. He nervously unravelled a sheet of paper and began. “You can go to grounds like Boro – And drink lager at the bar – But Bath is where I’m heading – Where I’ll revel in the Spa.” There was no applause – just stunned silence and many of the residents looked down at the floor. I led Dave back to his room and he started to well up as we shuffled down the corridor. (Dave’s poem finished outside of the top 10)
PJ