Parkrun triumphs 2024

It’s been another busy year of parkrun for my family. Here is a round-up of our 2024 triumphs – from my 9-year-old nephew to my 79-year-old dad…

On 1st January I was 2nd female at Forest of Dean parkrun – which I thought would be the best gender position I would get all year.

On 6th January, my husband reached his 25th volunteering milestone – doing both course set-up and pacing.

On 20th January, my sister got a new PB of 24:29.

On 27th January, my sister got another PB – of 24:08!

On 17th February, we ran Arrow Valley parkrun. I ran 22:30 – my fourth fastest time ever at that point. I was eighth female and first in my age category with an age grading of 74.52%.

On 9th March, my eldest and I ran Newent parkrun. I got first lady, for only the fourth time ever. I also got my best ever overall position – eighth. My eldest got his best ever overall position – fifth.

On 16th March, my nephew reached his 100th parkrun milestone, at the age of 8. He is currently the youngest person ever to achieve that milestone at our home parkrun.

Also on 16th March, my husband ran his 300th parkrun – not an official milestone, but still well worth a mention!

On 13th April, my husband and I ran Marine Parade parkrun in Weston-super-Mare. I was first lady and got an incredible new PB of 21:18 – only my second time going under 22 minutes – and 34 seconds fastest than my previous PB. My age grading was 78.72% and was actually the highest age grading on the course that day. My husband ran his fastest time since 2019 – 20:54 – and got his first ever age grading over 70%.

On 20th April, I volunteered for the first timers’ briefing for the first time, which I really enjoyed. I also did course set-up, which I’ve been doing approximately once a month.

Also on 20th April, I ran my second fastest time ever at my home parkrun – 22:29. My fastest time at my home parkrun of 22:23 was in 2017! I generally run faster when I’m doing tourism, because our home parkrun is very crowded on our winter course and has several inclines on the summer course.

On 11th May, I equalled my PB with 21:18 at Severn Bridge parkrun – my favourite parkrun. Also at Severn Bridge, my husband ran his fastest time since 2019 – 20:46.

On 28th July, our extended family ran Mallards Pike parkrun in the Forest of Dean. I was first lady for the third time this year, in a time of 22:35.

Also on 28th July at Mallards Pike, my husband and sister were both first in their respective age categories. It’s been a long time since my husband was first in his age category. The VW50-54 category is very competitive!

On 3rd August, I was pacing 25 minutes and actually hit 25:00! I’ve paced 25 minutes nearly every month since May last year (pacer day is once a month at our home parkrun) and I’m always slightly under or over.

On 7th September, my husband and I ran Land’s End parkrun. I was 2nd female in 23:43 and my husband was first in his age category in 22:43.

On 21st September, I reached my 50th volunteering milestone, by doing the first timers’ briefing.

On 28th September, we went back to Severn Bridge – my favourite parkrun. I was third lady and couldn’t quite get a PB. I missed it by two seconds – at 21:20, but as I’m now 51, I got my highest ever age grading of 79.53%.

On 19th October, my mum (aged 76) reached her 100 parkrun milestone and my dad (aged 79) reached his 250 parkrun milestone – a fantastic achievement!

On 16th November, my mum got a new PB of 47:12! She got her previous PB in 2016.

On 30th November, my niece ran her 100th parkrun.

So that’s our triumphs for 2024. We’re looking forward to another fun and busy year of parkrun in 2025…