A glorious sunny morning greeted the runners at Gunnersbury Park on Saturday, writes Phil York.
The record turnout of 200 included a group of athletes from Ealing Southall & Middlesex Athletics Club.
Rob Wilson narrowly missed beating the course record as he clocked 16:09 in first place for a new SM25-29 age-category record. Phil York improved his VM50-54 age-group record with 18:35 in ninth place overall.
Young athletes George Kerry and Roisin Lynch continued their preparation for the forthcoming cross country season with personal bests of 19:32 and 21:58 respectively. Although a fast starter over the opening kilometre, George managed to maintain a good pace throughout, holding on for a good finishing position.
Ian Leslie, in the VM55-59 category, also managed to set a PB, no doubt inspired by son Alex recording a fast winning time the previous week. Raj Kakaiya also ran well, showing improved speed gained from Wednesday evening track sessions.
Further illustrating that parkrun is very much a family affair, parents Tom Kerry, Andy Bell and Roger Thomas just missed their personal bests.
Sometimes ridiculed by the purists in our sport, the parkrun concept is nevertheless a great way to start the weekend and is as serious and competitive as you wish to make it. Billed as a time trial event, runners can use the twists and turns of the scenic Gunnersbury course to gauge their fitness, experiment with race tactics or even just treat it as a social occasion for keeping fit.
Start time is 9:00am near the main car park and the event is organised by our friends from Ealing Eagles, who always give the runners a nice welcome. Gunnersbury parkrun latest results and result history.