Strathclyde parkrun #69

I’m running in the Marymass 10k in Irvine on Sunday 21 August so I had planned a rest day for Saturday.  I responded positively to a tweet from Strathclyde parkrun, who were still seeking volunteers late in the week and headed along the new motorway to Motherwell on Saturday morning.  I met up with the other volunteers and 131 runners in the morning sunshine.  After a warm up and a few pre race announcements the runners were set on their way around the Loch, whilst the volunteers prepared for their return.

I had quite an easy task, handing out the bar coded numbers to the runners as they completed their race, of course, as well as the tokens, I also gave them a few congratulatory words for their efforts.  Although the runners are of mixed abilities the expression on their faces, throughout the field, told a story of effort and enthusiasm.

It was no surprise to me that, now recovered from his Tour of Clydeside success, Kirkintilloch Olympian David Gardiner was the recipient of token 001.  David’s time of 16:59 was 52seconds quicker than runner-up Brian Carrigan, who earned a PB with 17:51.  Teenager Anthony Edgar claimed third spot, with a time of 18:46.  In the women’s race it was Tri-athlete, Naj D’Silva, of Optima Racing Team, who placed first with a PB of 20:07.  In Silver place was Richmond based Karen Weir, completing her 91^st parkrun but her first at Strathclyde.  The Ranlelagh Harrier completing the flat course in a time of 21:53.  Junior Elizabeth Edgar earned Bronze with her time of 23:17.

It was that man Gardiner again that topped the wava stakes with an 81.55 % ranking.

There were some 23 first timers at Strathclyde Park this week and a total of 32 runners went home with new course PBs.  Well done to each and every one of the runners and to all the volunteers who make the event run so smoothly.  If you’re not racing one week then please think about volunteering.

You can get a flavour of what the Strathclyde parkrun is all about in Mike Wards' parkrun-the movie.  

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